Connect to a Linux device

Learn how to access a Linux computer over Meshnet from Windows, macOS, or Linux.

Depending on your purpose, you can choose among the following methods to remotely connect to your Linux computer over Meshnet:

  • GUI-based remote connection using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or Virtual Network Connection (VNC). This method is described further in this article.

  • Text-based remote connection using Secure Shell (SSH). For instructions on this method, see the How to access remote systems over Meshnet using SSH article.

Before you begin

Ensure that:

  • Your remote PC and the device you want to use to access it are linked over Meshnet.

  • Your remote PC is turned on.

Enable remote access on your PC

Note

For the instructions provided in this guide, Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS is used as an example.

  1. Open the terminal and enter the following command:

    gnome-control-center sharing

  2. Turn on the Sharing toggle in the upper-right corner of the window.

  3. Click Remote desktop.

  4. Turn on the Remote desktop toggle to allow remote connections to this computer.

  5. Turn on the Remote control toggle to allow remote connections to control the desktop.

Also, under Authentication, take note of the username and password required to access this computer remotely. You can change the password generated by the app if you wish.

Connect to your remote PC

Once you have enabled remote access and have your remote desktop credentials, you can connect to your PC using a remote desktop client.

Note

The instructions below apply primarily to Ubuntu 16.04 LTS or above, but if you use a different distribution of Linux, the procedure should remain similar.

Install Remmina

  1. Open Terminal.

  2. Update the package manager list of available packages by running the following command:

    sudo apt update

  3. Install Remmina by entering this command:

    sudo apt install remmina remmina-plugin-vnc

Add a remote PC connection

  1. Open Terminal and enter the following command:

    nordvpn meshnet peer list

  2. In the displayed list, find the device you want to access and copy either the device's Nord name or its Meshnet IP:

  3. Open the Remmina app that you installed earlier.

  4. Click the New connection profile button in the upper-left corner of the app window.

  5. Under Basic, enter the following information to create a reusable connection:

    • In the Server field, enter the Nord name or the Meshnet IP you copied earlier.

    • In the Username field, enter your remote PC account name.

    • In the Password field, enter the password you use to log in to your remote PC.

  6. Click Save.

Access your remote PC

  1. Double-click the new connection profile you've created.

  2. Accept the certificate presented by the server to verify that you trust the computer you are trying to access.

With these steps completed, you should now be connected to your remote Linux PC using Remmina over Meshnet.

Alternative remote desktop tools

If you prefer, you can also use other remote access software like NoMachine or AnyDesk to establish a remote connection between your devices.

Using NoMachine

Connect from Linux, Windows, or macOS using NoMachine

On your local machine:

  1. In the NordVPN app, locate and copy the Nord name or Meshnet IP address of the device you want to access.

  2. Launch NoMachine and select the Add button to create a new connection.

  3. Under Machine address, in the Name field, provide a custom name for the connection.

  4. In the Host field, enter either the Nord name or Meshnet IP of the computer you want to access, and then select Add.

  5. Double-click the newly created connection to initiate the remote connection.

  6. If a warning appears indicating that the host's authenticity cannot be confirmed, select OK to proceed.

  7. Enter your remote desktop credentials and select OK.

    • Username: your remote PC account name

    • Password: the password you use to log in to your remote PC

You should now be able to securely access and control your PC remotely.

Connect from Android or iOS using NoMachine

On your mobile device, perform the following steps to add a remote PC connection:

  1. Open NoMachine and select the Add button in the upper-left corner to create a new connection.

  2. Ensure that NX is selected as the protocol and tap Continue.

  3. In the Host field, enter either the Nord name or Meshnet IP of the computer you want to access, and then select Continue.

  4. Keep the default options for Authentication and Proxy.

  5. Optionally, in the Name field, provide a custom name for the connection and tap Done.

To access your remote PC:

  1. On the NoMachine main screen, double-tap the newly created connection to initiate the remote connection.

  2. If a warning appears indicating that the host's authenticity cannot be confirmed, select OK to proceed.

  3. Enter your remote desktop credentials and select OK.

    • Username: your remote PC account name

    • Password: the password you use to log in to your remote PC

You should now be able to securely access and control your PC remotely.

Using AnyDesk

For this setup, you won't need remote PC account credentials. Instead, you can use either manual approval on the remote PC or set up a dedicated unattended access password.

Optional: Enable unattended access with AnyDesk

By default, AnyDesk needs manual approval for incoming connections. To bypass this, you can enable the app’s Unattended access feature:

  1. On the remote computer, launch AnyDesk you installed earlier.

  2. In the upper-right corner, click the General menu button and select Settings.

  3. From the menu on the left, select Security.

  4. Under Permissions, from the Permission profile dropdown list, select Unattended access.

  5. Select the Enable unattended access checkbox.

  6. Enter and confirm a secure password that will be used for authentication, and then click OK.

After applying the changes, connect to the device without manual approval by following the platform-specific instructions below.

Connect from Windows, macOS, or Linux using AnyDesk

On your local machine:

  1. In the NordVPN app, locate and copy the Nord name or Meshnet IP address of the device you want to access.

  2. Launch AnyDesk you installed earlier.

  3. In the remote address field at the top, enter either the Nord name or the Meshnet IP address of the remote PC and click Connect.

If you set up an unattended password on the remote PC:

  1. In the Authorization dialog that appears, enter the password you created for unattended access on the remote PC and click OK.

  2. Optionally, you can select the Log in automatically from now on checkbox to avoid entering the password again for subsequent connections.

If you haven't set up an unattended password, wait for the user at the remote device to accept the connection request manually.

Connect from iOS or Android using AnyDesk

On your mobile device:

  1. Open AnyDesk you installed earlier.

  2. In the remote address field, paste either the Nord name or the Meshnet IP address of the remote PC and tap the arrow button to connect.

If you set up an unattended password on the remote PC:

  1. Optionally, you can select the Log in automatically from now on checkbox to avoid entering the password again for subsequent connections.

If you haven't set up an unattended password, wait for the user at the remote device to accept the connection request manually.

Checklist for a successful connection

If you encounter issues while attempting to connect, check that:

See also

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