VPN into different operating systems?

[GLaDOS]

Hi everyone,

I looked around on Google and couldn't find the answer to this one. Is it possible to VPN into different operating systems? I am trying to set up a VPN between my Windows 7 laptop and my Ubuntu Linux desktop (I'm using the desktop to teach myself Linux).

Is this possible? Is there anything specific I should know about before starting to set this up?

Any advice, guidance, or recommendations would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks so much, and I hope everyone enjoys there weekend!

[GLaDOS]

I use Ubuntu Linux 11.10 if that's relevant.

[GroundZero3]

PuTTY Tray

Here is a ssh client for windows. You will need to install the SSH server on ubuntu before you try to connect to it

https://help.ubuntu.com/10.04/server...sh-server.html

VPN = Virtual private network, which is way different than what you want to do

[GLaDOS]

Ahh ok. I thought these were one in the same - guess I'm always learning. Thanks for the link!

As it turns out - I ended up having to move the desktop system into my room (where I keep my laptop) so what I'm trying now is to see if I can use a KVM switch to switch between my laptop and computer. Unfortunately, I have limited space at my desk so I'm trying to use the laptop monitor and keyboard as my inputs and just switch over to the desktop to have it displayed on my screen. Can this be done? I've been playing around with it for about 20 mins or so and haven't seen to come up with anything. Right now, I only have the DB 45 connectors (I'm pretty sure they are 45's) going between the laptop, the KVM switch, and the desktop. Not sure if the keyboard and mouse serial connectors are necessary for this configuration.

Once again, any help, guidance, suggestions or corrections would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!!

[RicheemxX]

Sounds like what you are trying to do is remote desktop or virtual network computing (VNC) not VPN and IMO it sounds like you are going about it wrong.

A KVM swtich allows you to run two systems with one monitor and keyboard yes but I doubt it will work the way you want it to to run everything from your laptop. Laptop monitors have no input other than what is there from the laptop itself so you don't have to way of getting the signal from the desktop on the laptops display and I'm not even sure how you'd go about trying to get keyboard out options

What you could do is load something like TightVNC: VNC-Compatible Free Remote Control / Remote Desktop Software on the desktop and then remote into it from the laptop. This would basically allow you full control of the desktop like you want and you could run any of the apps, use any files ect on the desktop it will just show in a window on the laptop.

[RicheemxX]

Just realized you said ubuntu, here's a how to to get it setup https://help.ubuntu.com/community/VNC. Not sure how you'd get it configured since it sounds like you don't have a monitor but that should help.

If all you are doing is trying to learn a little linux and you are going through all this hassle you could save yourself more headache and just run a live cd version of linux on the laptop or setup a virtual machine and run linux that way.

[GLaDOS]

Thanks for the link RicheemxX! That is very helpful!

I thought about both of those options but essentially I'm using this desktop to teach myself different things (starting with Linux). I also want to use it to learn the Windows file system better and then use it for other topics as they come along. I was hoping to use this as kind of a learning computer in the sense that if I corrupt the OS in any way, it's not a problem, b/c I can just reinstall the OS and not lose any data. I guess I could use a VM for most of that, I just hate having to put this computer in the garage with no use anymore.

[GroundZero3]

I suggest using VNC or something that way you can just minimize the window on the windows machine and do your research