Remote Desktop Login from Mac
Some friends told me the laziest programmer is the best and most creative programmer. When a person becomes older, he/she will become lazier.
Remote Desktop Login has been out there for some time ago. I did not try it. Remote Desktop Control has been useful for me occasionally. I had a bad experience with RDC when my Linux server crashed in early September. I was RDC from my SPARC/Solaris workstation. I stopped using RDC since then.
One drawback about RDC is that I have to login before I can access the desktop remotely.
Because of my eye condition, I feel lazy to switch between keyboards and mice and running from one room to another. I decided to check out Remote Desktop Login. It took me a while to understand. But after I tried it out, it was pretty easy though.
Here’s how I do it to login to SPARC/Solaris. Launch X11 from Mac OS X then
$ xhost +ip_address
$ Xnest :1 -query ip_address -geometry 1280x1024
According to some documentation, it is required to configure gdm on Linux boxes. I used the following to configure FC 5 (Fedora Core 5) box:
- Edit /etc/gdm/custom.conf
- Add RemoteGreeter=/usr/libexec/gdmlogin to [daemon] segment
- Under [xdmcp] segment, change the line Enable=false to Enable=true
- Restart gdm
With Remote Desktop Login, I don’t have to login before I remotely access the PC. It has also save me some money for investing in a KVM switch. I was thinking about hooking up some of my computers with a KVM switch. It will still be a mess with all the cables despite of its pricy tag. Remote Desktop Login is the best method for me at this moment. It allow me to become lazier because I no longer need to login at computers which I want access. I can login remotely, simple!
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I’m trying to RDC from Solaris 8 to Windows 2K3 server. Do you have any experience?
Regards,
Won
Hi Won,
Sorry, I am afraid not because I don’t use Windows. Perhaps you can try the usenet group at comp.unix.solaris. The folks there may enlighten your path.
Good luck.
total newb here… I’m running 10.4.1 and would like to manage my linux server that is remote – opensuse 10.1 could you advise on the best way to do this? Much appreciated! Blayne
Hi Blayne,
That depends how you want to do it on your Mac. Using the Xnest method is not so encouraging between Mac and Linux. I had different mixed experience when I connect from Mac to RedHat FC5 and Debian. Xnest worked on FC5 but no longer using FC5. It did not work on my Debian and still not working until today.
I will suggest you to use Tunneling X over SSH. You can read about this here.
Good luck.
Hi Arian,
Thanks a lot for the solution. It works nicely with my MAC and Solaris 10. I also tried it with Fedora and it seems to work nicely. This would help me in deciding the platform that I could use in my lab. I plan to use SUN servers at the back end and iMacs as the desktop.
Hi Adrian,
After working successfully for few days I am now suddenly getting this message:
Fatal server error:
XDMCP fatal error: Session failed Session 42 failed for display 192.168.1.4:1: Cannot open display
Any idea what is wrong.
Thanks
Hi Saurabh,
This is very strange. Are you using DHCP to connect? Have you check display :1?
I haven’t encountered such problem before so I am of little help here. Perhaps you want to try the forum.
Thanks a lot, very help full guide. Pretty easy. thanks