Connecting to Another Desktop Using Remote Desktop

If the other computer you are connecting to is a Windows system, the connection can be made using the remote desktop protocol (RDP). While remote desktop has been available since Windows XP, not every edition of Windows provides a fully functional version--for example, it may not be fully supported in a home edition of Windows. If the full version of RDP is included, remote access may or may not be enabled by default. If you have trouble connecting using RDP, do a Google search for "remote desktop"

and the name of the version of Windows you are using to find out how to configure its remote desktop settings. If you still can't connect, you will need to download, install and configure VNC server software on the system.

If the other computer you are connecting to is a Mac, Linux, or BSD system, you will have to first install either rdesktop or a VNC server on the other system. Depending upon the operating system,

1.1.1.1 5.8.1 Connecting to Another Desktop Using Remote Desktop either software may or may not already be installed. If it is not, check the software repository for the operating system or use Google to find out how to install and configure one of these applications on that operating system. If you are connecting to another PC-BSD system, rdesktop is already installed for you.

If the remote system is protected by a firewall, you will need to check that it allows connections to the TCP port required by the type of connection that you will be using:

RDP: uses port 3389

VNC: uses port 5900 (for the first connection, 5901 for the second connection, etc.)

If you need to manually add a firewall rule, it is best to only allow the IP address of the computer that will be connecting. It is also more secure to remove or disable this firewall rule after the connection is finished so that other computers don't try to connect to the computer. Since your PC-BSD system is considered to be the client and will be initiating the connection, you do not have to modify the firewall on the PC-BSD system.

Once the other computer has the software it needs for the connection, you can initiate a connection request using KRDC. To launch this application, go to Application Launcher -> Internet -> Remote Desktop Client. You can also launch this application by typing krdc at the command line. If you click F1 while in KRDC you can access the Remote Connection Desktop Handbook to learn more about how to use this application.

Figure 5.9a shows the initial KRDC screen which allows you to specify which system you wish to connect to.

Figure 5.9a: Creating a Connection Using KRDC

1.1.1.2 5.8.1 Connecting to Another Desktop Using Remote Desktop Use the drop down menu to indicate whether the remote system is using RDP or VNC for the

connection. Then type in the IP address of the system you wish to connect to. If you are connecting to a VNC system, the IP address needs to be followed by a colon and a number indicating the number of the session. Typically, the number will be 1 unless the VNC server is hosting multiple simultaneous

connections. Once you press enter, the connection will be initiated and you will see the screen shown in Figure 5.9b:

Figure 5.9b: Settings for the Connection

Here is a quick overview of the settings:

Desktop resolution: since the contents of the screen are sent over the network, select the lowest resolution that still allows you to see what is happening on the other system. If you have a very fast network connection, you can choose a higher resolution; if you find that the other system is very slow to refresh its screen, try choosing a lower resolution.

Color depth: choose the lowest color depth that allows you to see the other system; you can choose a higher color depth if the network connection is fast.

Keyboard layout: this drop down menu allows you to select the desired keyboard layout.

Sound: this drop down menu allows you to choose whether any sounds heard during the connection are

1.1.1.1 5.8.1 Connecting to Another Desktop Using Remote Desktop produced on this system, the remote system, or to disable sound during the connection.

Console login: if you are connecting to a Unix-like system, you can check this box if you wish to have access to the other system's command line console.

Extra options: allows you to specify rdesktop switches that aren't covered by the other options in this screen.

Show this dialog again for this host: if you plan on using the same settings every time you connect to this computer, you can uncheck this box. If you need to change the settings at a later time, you can right-click the connection (which will appear in a list as a past connection) and choose Settings from the right-click menu.

Remember password: KWallet is KDE's password storage system. If this box stays checked, you will only need to input the password the first time you make this connection as it will be saved for you. If this is the first time you have stored a password using KWallet, it will prompt you for some information to set up your wallet.

Once you press OK, a connection will be initiated and you will receive pop-up messages asking for a username then a password; the details you provide must match a user account on the system you are connecting to. Once your authentication details are confirmed, you should see the desktop of the other system. If you move your mouse, it will move on the other desktop as well. Click the "View Only"

button in the top toolbar whenever you wish to disable this mouse behaviour. When you are finished your session, you can click the "Disconnect" button in the top toolbar.