accessing my ubuntu computer remotely from a Windows PC

Lee Braiden lee_b at digitalunleashed.com
Fri Jul 22 15:42:13 UTC 2005


On Friday 22 July 2005 16:20, Jeff Co wrote:
> I'd like to access my files on my Ubuntu PC. Stuff like my pictures, and
> maybe some text documents that I've saved. I want to be able to retrieve
> them, and also have the ability to do things as though I were sitting right
> in front of my Ubuntu PC. For example, saving new files on my Ubuntu PC.
> Deleting stuff (in my home directory)

You have two main options: a shell-based interface, like SSH, or a remote 
desktop solution like VNC, or FreeNX.  Both provide you with ways of doing 
both, but have different resource requirements, so you'll want to pick 
whatever suits your needs best.

> I want something that is secure. Something that only I, with some sort of
> password, can access, and that nobody else on the internet can access.

"Some sort of password" is far from secure.  But most of those options fit the 
description of what you want well enough.  If you know you only want to 
access your computer from ONE remote windows XP box on a known network, you 
have a number of better options, such as limiting the connections to that 
remote IP address only, using keypairs, etc.

> What must I do to my (Ubuntu) computer before I leave it? (What's the
> terminology for this computer?)

The one providing the connection is the server, and the one connecting is the 
client.  You need to setup either an SSH server, or a remote desktop server 
like VNC or FreeNX.

> What must I do to the _other_ computer, the computer on the other end?
> (What's the terminology for this computer on the other end?)

Install and run a suitable client.

> Is there anything I must avoid doing to avoid getting the remote connection
> permanently cut? When I say "permanent connection", I mean that the
> remote-control ability an only be fixed if I go back in person to the
> Ubuntu PC.

Yes.  Don't reboot your machine for one thing ;)  Others include upgrading the 
software you're actually connecting with, modifying your firewall (depending 
on the firewall and its setup), etc.

-- 
Lee Braiden
http://www.DigitalUnleashed.com
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