Linux Remote Desktop For Controlling Windows XP / Vista / Server 2003 ( rdesktop )

Iam responsible for couple of MS-Windows servers and Windows XP/Vista/7 workstations too. When I work from home, I need a way to get into Windows XP/2000/Vista/2003/2008/7/Vista operating systems for work.

I have Debian Linux at home, I needed a way to login into Microsoft windows desktop from Linux OS. Many of us working at tech support use rdesktop to connect to customers' MS-Windows systems.

Fig.01: rdesktop login window

Especially it is very useful to configure Outlook or something else when customers do not understand how to configure or troubleshoot problem. This is the best way to fix a problem.

Say Hello To rdesktop

Fortunately, Linux has rdesktop utility. It is a client for remote desktop protocol (RDP), used in a number of Microsoft products including Windows NT Terminal Server, Windows 2000 Server, Windows XP and Windows 2003 / 2008 Server. You do not need to install VNC server. All you need is rdesktop client on Linux or BSD workstation.

Install rdesktop

Type the following command as root user:

# apt-get install rdesktop

To connect to MS-Windows systems from Linux, type the following command at a shell prompt (connect to Windows server called mw2sn100.mycorp.com)

$ rdesktop mw2sn100.mycorp.com

Or connect to windows XP/Vista workstation having IP 192.168.1.17:

$ rdesktop 192.168.1.17

Please note that you must enable remote desktop connection under MS0Windows operating systems; otherwise it will not work. Turn on remote desktop under MS-Windows operating systems:

• Go to MS-Windows desktop
• Right Click on My Computer
• Select properties
• Select Remote tab
• Enable Remote desktop.
• Save the changes.

Make sure enterprise firewall allows incoming connection on TCP port 3389. rdesktop supports many other options, type the following command to read the man page of rdesktop or visitproject website for more information.
man rdesktop