Remote access to Linux?

[aceO07]

How do I go about setting up Slackware Linux so I can log in and use everything (even graphical stuff)?

Here's a bit of background, I have a laptop that I plan to use as a server for files, mysql, etc. Basically, I want to experiment and learn. The laptop's screen is broken, so it's a pain to switch my monitor from my computer to laptop everytime I want to use it. So I'd prefer to use some remote access from my win2k computer to get into the laptop.

Can someone provide a good walkthrough or suggest a place to look for information? I tried the howto/guides, but I didn't see anything related to this. Maybe I missed it..

 

[go_unix]

There are a couple of ways to do this. One is to get X-Windows software, something like Hummingbird Exceed. Another option is to use VNC, which is what I use everyday at work. I have setup a VNC server on Linux, and use the VNC client for windows to connect and get a full Linux desktop. The VNC server is not too difficult to setup. Take a look at TightVNC for more information.

 

[aceO07]

Thanks. How secure is vnc? I also heard about ssh and using x-tunnelling? Do you know what that is?

 

[Bremen]

openssh automatically sets up the tunneling (I've done this quite often between linux hosts, even through dialup). However you would need an x-server on your windows machine...

 

[go_unix]

Originally posted by: aceO07
Thanks. How secure is vnc? I also heard about ssh and using x-tunnelling? Do you know what that is?

The connection between the vnc server and client is not encrypted. The only default protection is that the connection is password protected. For my needs I didn't need to worry about security because I'm using it only on the internal company network. It is possible to do ssh tunneling with vnc. There is documentation available online I think at both TightVNC and the original site of VNC, UK AT&T Research.