Getting Started with NoMachine for Raspberry Pi
Start your journey to the next level of network computing
NoMachine is the ultimate remote desktop solution for editing and maintaining a desktop or server running on Linux ARM from a remote location. Those familiar with Linux ARM are probably well read on the different number of tiny sized computers available on the market such as Banana Pi, Beaglebone, Radxa Rock and CuBox TV. These little computers fit in the palm of your hand, yet pack enough power to run as a desktop PC. They are therefore perfect for NoMachine. One of the more popular devices that our users have shown interest in is the Raspberry Pi, so we've put together a quick guide to get your Raspberry Pi set up on your network. All you need is NoMachine installed on all of the devices you want to use.
- First, you will need to set up your device, so that you can then install NoMachine on it. The RPi website provides a very simple guide to setting up your device, also with a monitor and keyboard. Check out the link here https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/getting-started.html.
- There are a number of Linux distributions available that run on the Raspberry Pi as well as the device’s own official Raspberry Pi OS at https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/. We have tested a selection which are documented in the article dedicated to Raspberry Pi in our knowledge base and we recommend you use one of those. We'll use its own native desktop, Raspberry Pi OS, for this guide.
- Now you've set up the Raspberry Pi OS desktop, let's get NoMachine installed.
- There are two ways you can use your Raspberry Pi. Use it as the device you want to connect from, or as a NoMachine server.
- NoMachine is installed on both sides. On RPis being used as clients to connect from, just install the free edition of NoMachine or NoMachine Enterprise Client if you prefer. On the device you want to remotely access, choose between the free edition of NoMachine or NoMachine Enterprise Desktop.
- The bonus of installing Enterprise Desktop on your Raspberry Pi is that it enables web access to that device. You can connect to your RPi from any other device using a browser.
- Once you've got your Raspberry Pi plugged in and you're logged on to its desktop, download the NoMachine package compatible with your device. Please consult the following article for more information about compatible packages for Pi models. There are multiple ARM versions of NoMachine available and what you install depends on what architecture your RPi device is running.
- Open up the browser and go to the NoMachine website to download the package for your specific Raspberry Pi board.
- Or use the wget command to download:
wget https://www.nomachine.com/free/arm/v8/deb -O nomachine.deb
- Open the location of where you have downloaded the NoMachine package.
- Proceed with installing, for example, from a terminal run:
$ sudo dpkg -i nomachine_8.10.1_1_arm64.deb
- Or if you downloaded using wget:
sudo dpkg -i nomachine.deb
- NoMachine installs out-of-the-box with standard default configuration. If you want to know more about how to install and configure NoMachine software futher, you can find complete installation and configuration instructions for Linux packages at https://www.nomachine.com/documents.
- Let's start using NoMachine.
Fig. 1 – Installing NoMachine from the command line
- To connect with NoMachine, you need the IP address or Machine Id of the NoMachine-enabled computer you want to reach. If you are new to NoMachine, you should check out our illustrated tutorial which explains where to find the IP address or Machine Id of the remote machine. You’re now ready to connect!
- Once you have these details, go to the device you want to connect from and open NoMachine.
- Insert the IP address or Machine Id of the machine you want to connect to in the search field and click 'Connect'.
- Don’t forget you’ll need system account credentials for the desktop you want to access. Insert them when prompted and you’re in.
Fig. 2 - Connect from your RPi to control another computer
Fig. 3 - Connect to your Raspberry Pi's desktop from any device
NoMachine Is for Everybody
Free for personal use
NoMachine is freely available for everyone to download and install for personal use on any computer you need to remotely access. No strings attached. Use it to access all your files, display all your videos, play all your audio, edit your documents, as well as remotely assist and collaborate with friends or family.
