Remote connections are a must in today’s business world. Whether it’s to hire talent around the world or transition to a work-from-home model, you will need to provide remote access to your users. A remote desktop connection is also critical for your IT team to do maintenance on users’ applications and tools they use every day which always needs troubleshooting.
Connecting to a Linux machine from Windows desktops is always a need for web-based businesses. Employees who work remotely will need to have access to the Linux machine from their everyday computers to make sure they can continue their daily operations. Below, we explain how you can connect a Windows desktop to a Linux, and the other way around.
Why do you need a remote connection from Windows to Linux?
You can definitely run a business from home desktops or dedicated computers in an office. However, things get more complicated when you have remote employees and an IT team who runs commands on a Linux machine since it is more preferred than Windows for server purposes.
One thing you need to remember is that your IT team will need to have the ability to remotely control other desktops in your network. This may be for security purposes or just to have them assist your fellow employees with any IT-related issues they may have. All in all, the ability to provide remote desktop access to your users is a vital part of a smooth-running web-based business.
Connecting a Windows to a Linux Machine
There are a few ways to achieve this, and some are interconnected so you might need to utilize some of them at the same time. But these are relatively easy steps and you should not have a hard time, especially if you use some tools and services provided by online vendors. Let’s have a look.
1-) Finding the IP address
This is pretty much the first thing to do when trying to connect to a Linux machine from a Windows. If you think about it, Internet Protocol is one of the defining qualities of every entity and device on the internet, so locating the IP address is a must. You can do this with a single command (ifconfig) on your Linux machine’s terminal. See a more detailed guide on LinuxHint.
Another way around this is to connect to the network’s router. Users can easily display the IP address of a Linux machine if they are on the same router. Either way, this is a great way to initiate a remote connection from a Windows to a Linux machine.
2-) Smart System Access
Smart System Access is a great way to connect a Windows desktop to a Linux machine. This feature allows you to create a virtual network to let you access all the computers in a private network regardless of location.
So, what is smart system access and how does it operate? This is not a tool on its own, but it’s more of a compilation of services and technologies that works together to ensure smooth remote desktop access. It utilizes solutions such as Remote Desktop Protocol (which will be mentioned in detail below), FTP, and Point-to-Point access.
It allows for a secure connection from a Windows to a Linux machine to allow users to share files, provide remote access for troubleshooting, and work with the tools and applications that all users need in a company.
3-) Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
Remote Desktop Protocol is a great tool to use when you need a connection between the terminal server and its clients, which is pretty much what you do with remote access. This is an internal part of every remote connection that is implemented to ensure communication with remote users.
Another great thing about RDP that makes it a perfect tool for Linux-Windows connection is its ability to carry encrypted data. In short, RDP not only ensures smooth access between Linux and Windows but also protects the information that goes through.
4-) Virtual Network Connection (VNC)
VNC is a solution that allows screen sharing between remote desktops and provides remote control of another computer. This means that the person who controls the remote desktop (in most cases the IT team of a company for troubleshooting user devices) has complete control over all the components of the remote computer. They can work as if the computer is physically in their hands and fix the issues that a particular user is having.
The only thing needed to initiate this connection is components that are installed on both devices. When the two devices are connected, a copy of the desktop of the remote computer is shared and displayed on the computer you are controlling it from.
5-) SSH (Secure Shell)
Secure Shell is an incredibly easy and non-complicated way to connect to your Linux device from a Windows desktop. Remember when we found the IP address of the Linux machine we are trying to connect to? It will now be a great use since Windows PowerShell can easily connect to the IP you want with a single command. There are more details on Make Use Of on how to do it.
Conclusion
Linux machines and Windows desktops can be easily connected to each other with a few tools and protocols we explained above. Don’t forget that remote access is now a necessity in most cases, and not a choice if you have an online business. Make sure to check these methods and figure out which works for you better.
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