HOWTO: Can I use FreeNX with Ubuntu?

[santo]

How can i use FreeNX to connect to my current session/desktop, so I can
continue the work I already started (i.e. like VNC/Krfb does) ?

[incubus]

Hey A-star:

There's a strange problem with former versions of NXserver. Even though you set the SSH server to a port, such as 8022, the nxserver is still listening port 22.

One solution is to manually edit the /usr/bin/nxserver file:
sudo cp /usr/bin/nxserver ~/nxserver.bak #backup first
sudo nano /usr/bin/nxserver

Find an entry which reads:
SSHD_AUTH_PORT = "22"
And change it to the port you want.
Remember to "sudo nxserver --restart".

Another workaround if you're behind a router is to leave settings on default, and create a NAT service redirecting all outside requests from a port, like 8022, to your box at port 22.
0.0.0.0:8022 to <your ip>:22

Best,
incubus

[A-star]

Find an entry which reads:
SSHD_AUTH_PORT = "22"
And change it to the port you want.
Remember to "sudo nxserver --restart".

I'll try that this evening.
thanks for all the help so far.

Kind regards
A-star

[Lord C]

I have installed FreeNX, Using Synaptic in Hoary.

It all seems to be running, but I can't connect to my PC from a remote location.
Connection Timeout is all I see.
I have fowarded port 22.

sshd seems to be running.

When I type nxagent it says display 0 is in use.
I try nxagent :1 and some black window opens.

I'm not sure what im supposed to do to run this program, it isnt as simple as vnc heh.

~$ sudo nxserver --status
NX> 100 NXSERVER - Version 1.4.0-03 OS (GPL)
NX> 110 NX Server is running
NX> 999 Bye

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

[incubus]

Lord C:

Tell me, have you tried to:
1. Connect to your box through straight SSH?
("ssh <your ip>", for example. If you're under windows, use PuTTY.)

2. Connect through NXClient at your own box?
(run "nxclient" and try to connect to localhost at 22)

With your feedback (and other details you think important) we can probably find a solution.

Best regards,
incubus

[Lord C]

Lord C:

Tell me, have you tried to:
1. Connect to your box through straight SSH?
("ssh <your ip>", for example. If you're under windows, use PuTTY.)

2. Connect through NXClient at your own box?
(run "nxclient" and try to connect to localhost at 22)

With your feedback (and other details you think important) we can probably find a solution.

Best regards,
incubus

I connected to my localhost - ew, i paniced when i didnt know how to get out of it, lol.
Logging out did the trick.

I shall try ssh in a moment.

[A-star]

a new day a new error message:
I have almost succeeded in my effort.
Now I get this error message:

NX> 203 NXSSH running with pid: 676
NX> 285 Enabling skip of SSH config files
NX> 200 Connected to address: 127.0.0.1 on port: 8022
NX> 202 Authenticating user: nx
NX> 208 Using auth method: publickey
NX> 204 Authentication failed.

Any clues?

[incubus]

A-star:

Yes, you're close. A new error message is good news.

Now tell me one thing, how was your installation of FreeNX? Do you want it to use a public key? If you do, have you set it up with "nxsetup --setup-nomachine-key" in the first attempt? If you haven't, try to move/rename the files inside "/home/.nx/.ssh/", and run that command again.

Also make sure you're on the list of "nxserver --listuser". You can try to remove and add your user to the list again. You can also see if there's something wrong with your "authorized keys" and "known hosts" in your "~/.ssh/" directory. Try to move/rename them.

If you want to make sure the FreeNX is working, create yourself another user and try that new one. Just remember to delete it afterwards.

Good luck, my friend.
incubus

[A-star]

Now tell me one thing, how was your installation of FreeNX? Do you want it to use a public key? If you do, have you set it up with "nxsetup --setup-nomachine-key" in the first attempt?

Yes I set it up with the "nxsetup --setup-nomachine-key" command (with sudo because else it wouldn't let me do it).

If you haven't, try to move/rename the files inside "/home/.nx/.ssh/", and run that command again.

I'll try that this evening if it doesn't work

Also make sure you're on the list of "nxserver --listuser". You can try to remove and add your user to the list again. You can also see if there's something wrong with your "authorized keys" and "known hosts" in your "~/.ssh/" directory. Try to move/rename them.

will also try that this evening.

If you want to make sure the FreeNX is working, create yourself another user and try that new one. Just remember to delete it afterwards.

Good suggestion, I'll also try this (begins to sound boring )
I will keep you posted as I go along.
and thanks for the help so far.

Kind regards
A-star

[incubus]

Lord C -

Good! So your freenx is set up correctly.
I think the problem should be with your keys or with SSH itself. What do you get when you connect to your home box from outside with ssh or putty?

Check out a few conversations, like those of Joplass and A-star (and others), see that you've followed what the guys have already troubleshooted.

Tell us the results!
Best,
incubus