Ubuntu – How to install FreeNX server so that it works correctly

10.10authenticationfreenxopenssh

I've tried every single possible way of installing the server now, I've read every how to available and I still can't get it to work. Please let me know in which step I do wrong. I'm using ubuntu 10.10. I will mainly be referring to the following how-to, but also this, and this one.

  • First I add the ppa
  • Install Freenx
  • Download the special Freenx package as stated in the howto, fix ownership – install it
  • Create custom SSH key
  • Copy the file /var/lib/nxserver/home/.ssh/client.id_dsa.key to the client and import it in nomachine (windows 7 x64)
  • Check that both the user I will be logging in with and the user nx is in AllowedUsers in the /etc/ssh/sshd_config file
  • Check the port that ssh is listening on
  • Login through nomachine with my regular user account in ubuntu

I always receive the message "authentication failed for [user]" when I try to log in. And I can't see the user "nx" which is said to be created during installation when I look under System->Administration->"Users & Groups". Can anyone please enlighten me if there is any step that I miss or have misunderstood?

Thank you very much!

(Or is there an easier way of enabling remote desktop that it can be used with a windows machine? I prefer not using VNC because I was hoping of being able to get better performance than that. And when I tried using XRDP I only received a black screen on the client.)

Best Answer

First of all, the nx user is a system user (id less than 1000) so he is not visible in System->Administration->"Users & Groups", you should see him in /etc/passwd.

Next, I use freenx server without custom ssh key, so I suggest to make it to work without the added complication of custom key. I restore my security using the firewall to deny access to non desired clients.

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