NoMachine NX and nxclient

NoMachine NX produces software for efficiently and securely transporting the X Window protocol over the Internet, providing remote GUI access to department Linux servers. The software compresses both the protocol stream and image data, as well as caching much data on the client side of the connection. This allows one to have a reasonably responsive remote X session over a wide range of Internet connections, including dial-up modems. The compression level is configurable for connection type by the user. The nxclient software is available for several platforms.

The instructions below will guide you through installing, configuring, and running nxclient. Nxclient uses the SSH protocol as its transport mechanism, so there is no need to first establish a VPN connection to the college if you are accessing phoenix from off-campus. Whether on-campus or off-campus, you may have to change your firewall's configuration. (You are using a firewall to protect your system, right???) Refer to the instructions below.

Installing Nxclient

1. Run the nxclient installation program. You may download the program from here.

   You may accept all the defaults, but it is not necessary to create the desktop icon.

2. Run the nxfonts-75dpi installation program. You may download the program from here.

   Accept all defaults.

3. If you are using Windows Firewall, exceptions need to be installed allowing communication with these two programs from any computer:

      C:\Program Files\NX Client for Windows\nxclient.exe
      C:\Program Files\NX Client for Windows\bin\nxssh.exe
   

   See "Using Nxclient" below for more information.

Configuring Nxclient

1. Before proceeding, you will need a phoenix nxclient access key file. If you have not already received one, request the phoenix nxclient key file from Tom. (Note that this key file is specific to phoenix --- it won't work with any other host, nor will the default key shipped with nxclient work with phoenix.)
2. Run Start Menu -> NX Client for Windows -> NX Connection Wizard:
   
   
   
3. Click "Next" and fill-in the session and host fields. Set the Internet connection type to WAN (If you are connecting from off-campus, set the Internet connection type to ADSL.):
   
   
   
4. Click "Next" and set host type and desktop manager type to "Unix" and "Gnome," respectively. Set remote desktop size to "Fullscreen":
   
   
   
5. Click "Next" and check/uncheck the desktop shortcut option. Check the Advanced Configuration option:
   
   
   
6. Click "Finish". The Advanced Configuration window will open:
   
   
   
7. Click "Key", and import the phoenix nxclient access key file. Click "Save" after you've imported the key file:
   
   
   (Note: this is NOT the actual key file data.)
   
   
8. You'll be returned to the main dialog box for configuring your nxclient session. Click "Save" and the click "Ok":
   
   
   
9. The nxclient login dialog box will appear. You may use it to open an X session to phoenix. Enter your username and password for phoenix, then clock "Login":
   
   
   

Using Nxclient

1. Run Start Menu -> NX Client for Windows -> NX Client for Windows. Enter your username and password, and click "Login":
   
   
   
2. If you are using XP firewall, the first time you use nxclient you will need to accept prompts from the firewall to unblock external access to two programs. Exceptions need to be installed allowing communication with these two programs from any computer:

      C:\Program Files\NX Client for Windows\nxclient.exe
      C:\Program Files\NX Client for Windows\bin\nxssh.exe
   

   The firewall will prompt you to unblock external connections to these programs, which will install the exceptions.

   If you are using some other firewall, you may have to configure similar exceptions. Refer to the user's manual for your firewall software.