Install a Terminal Server product

• First install Workstation or another Terminal Server product on the remote host you want to connect to. For full installation instructions see our detailed documents section.
• Make sure you have a system account on the remote host. You will use these account credentials for authenticating.
• Install NoMachine or Enterprise Client on the devices you want to connect from.
• Once installed on the host you want to connect to, NoMachine server will work out-of-the-box with no special configuration required. There are two ways to connect to this Linux host: over the Internet or over a local network.

Connect over a local network

• A NoMachine server is advertized to NoMachine clients when both server and client are on the same network. So when opening NoMachine on the device you are connecting from, you will see any NoMachine computers which are broadcasting on the LAN.
• Alternatively, if you know it, you can use the local IP address of the machine you want to access. This information is available in 'Server status' in the NoMachine 'Server settings' (fig. 1).
• If LAN fits your scenario, go to the device you want to connect from and skip to the section Start the connection to the Linux computer. Instead, if you want to connect over the Internet, read on.

Fig. 1 - The IP address is published in 'Status' - 'Server settings'

Connect over the Internet

• As mentioned earlier, automatic discovery of the NoMachine server host is possible only when the server and the user's machine are on the same LAN. When the user connects over the internet or from a different network, you can connect over the NoMachine Network service by using the Machine Id.
• To know how to publish your machine on Network, check out the tutorial here.
• If you are not going to to connect using the Network service, it's mandatory to know the public (or external) IP of the NoMachine server. Go to the 'Server settings' and select 'Status' to check what IP addresses can be used. If the server is behind a firewall you will need to configure port-mapping. Please see the Installation and Configuration guides for more details.
• Now go to the device you want to connect from.

Start the connection to the Linux computer

• Make sure you are sitting at the device you want to connect from.
• Open NoMachine from the Programs/Applications menu. Click 'OK' to go past the Welcome panels. You are now in the 'Machines’ panel. Here you start your connection.
• If your Linux computer is shown in the Machines panel as a LAN-based computer, double click on the icon and proceed to the section Login to the remote computer.

Fig. 2 - In Machines you can find your LAN-based computers and any sessions already configured

• Instead, to start a new connection, click 'Add' and insert the IP address or Machine Id details (fig. 3).
• Insert a suitable name for the connection.
• Click 'Add' again and go back to Machines. Your connection will be visible.
• Another quick way to start a connection is to insert the IP address/Machine Id in the search field and click 'Connect to new host...'.

Fig. 3 - Click 'Add' to start creating your connection

Fig. 4 - Alternatively, you can insert the IP address and port in Search and click

Login to the remote computer

• You will be prompted to log in using the credentials for your account on the remote host (fig. 5).
• Insert your account credentials to authenticate to the remote host.
• Click 'Login' and wait a few seconds while NoMachine connects you.

Fig. 5 - Insert your account credentials to authenticate on the remote host

Connect to a virtual desktop or application

• When you have successfully authenticated, any available desktops are displayed here (Fig. 6). They can be your desktops previously left running 'My desktops', or those belonging to other users if desktop sharing is enabled (toggle 'My desktops' to see 'All desktops'). In that case choose one of the options.
• To create a new session, select 'New desktop' or the link 'Create a new virtual desktop or custom session' (Fig. 7).
• If you want to run a 'single application' or access an application in 'rootless mode', select 'Create a new custom session'.
• If there is a choice of desktop environments installed on the remote host, NoMachine server publishes the options available.
• Wait a few seconds while your NoMachine virtual desktop starts.
• Insert the credentials for your system account if prompted.
• Congratulations! You are now connected to a virtual Ubuntu desktop.

Fig. 6 - Any available desktops are displayed. Create a new one via 'New desktop'

Fig. 7 - Choose between creating a new virtual desktop or custom session

Fig. 8 - A virtual Ubuntu desktop