Setting up and using the NX client on your Windows PC at CABI

The NX Client for Windows can be used to login remotely to a Linux workstation from your Windows PC. You can login to a graphical desktop environment, just as if you were sitting at the Linux workstation. Installation and setup are simple. Note that this works only within the NKI firewall.

Getting the installer program

The NX Client for Windows installer program is in the AFS download directory, Z:\download\windows2000\freenx\ . (For some people it might be drive letter Y.)

The installer is also on Alborg in the folder \\Alborg\shared\freenx-windows-client\

You can also download the latest version of the free NX Client for Windows from www.nomachine.com.

Installation

Double-click on the installer program (the executable file with a name like nxclient-3.1.0-6.exe), and then keep clicking "Next" and "Install" and "Finish". You don't need to change any of the defaults.

For those who like detailed instructions with screenshots, you can look at www.nomachine.com/documents/client/install.html#2.

Setup

Start the NX Connection Wizard: Start -> Programs -> NX Client for Windows -> NX Connection Wizard.

Click Next.
Session setup: Enter the name of the Linux workstation for Session and for Host.

Currently wonko and zarquon are the only general-usage CABI computers running an NX server. But if you work with a PI who has a Linux workstation in his/her office, the NX server might be running on that workstation.

Choose LAN for the type of internet connection.

Click Next.
Desktop setup: Choose Unix and KDE. Also choose the size of the remote desktop that you prefer.

Click Next.
Click Finish. A shortcut icon is placed on the desktop for starting NX.
Repeat the setup for all workstations to which you want to connect via the NX Client for Windows.

Logging in

Double-click icon on desktop or

Start -> Programs -> NX Client for Windows -> NX Client for Windows.

Enter your AFS username and password, and click Login.
Once you have been logged in, you can use graphical programs like FSL and ART2.

Logging out

Be sure to log out of Linux when you are done using it. A maximum of 2 users can be logged into a Linux workstation via the free NX Client for Windows at any given time.

When you want to log out of Linux, either right-click on a blank area of the desktop and choose "Logout" or click the K-menu (above the Windows Start menu) and choose "Logout". Be careful not to log off of Windows via the Start menu without first logging out of Linux.

This page was last updated on 4/7/2008.