[ubuntu-us-mi] remote support

Discussion:

Wolfger

2009-06-24 16:35:54 UTC

Hey guys and gals. I've recently inducted a non-computer-geek into the
realm of Ubuntu users. She doesn't live too far away, which is why I
agreed to give her tech support gratis (hey... I *really* wanted to
rid the world of another virus-laden XP box!), but it would be much
easier if I could give support from the convenience of my home.

So... Does anybody here have experience setting this up? What tools
(preferably on the KDE side) are good for this? How complicated will
it be to do?

--
Wolfger
http://wolfger.wordpress.com/
http://twitter.com/wolfger
http://identi.ca/wolfger

The world is a mess, and I just... need to rule it.

Chelsey Twigg

2009-06-24 16:43:45 UTC

Permalink

I haven't ever used it, but I found this article:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/ubuntu/kubuntu/enable-remote-desktop-vnc-on-kubuntu/

I'm usually a GNOME person m'self, so I've not had any experience with any
KDE differences. I am, however, free tech support to all family and friends
that use Ubuntu, and most of them live out-of-state

Also, for smaller problems that you know can be solved by a command or two,
if you're able to IM with her, it's really easy to just have her copy/paste
the commands and run them. Once you get them past the initial fear of the
command line, it makes things so much easier than remote desktop, or "OK,
click here... Then there..." I've been putting together a bash script,
actually, for friends to run on new installs, to install Medibuntu, updates,
and favorite tools.

Hope that helps!

P.S. I've been lurking on the list for a few months but never chipped in. So
hi everyone!

Post by Wolfger
Hey guys and gals. I've recently inducted a non-computer-geek into the
realm of Ubuntu users. She doesn't live too far away, which is why I
agreed to give her tech support gratis (hey... I *really* wanted to
rid the world of another virus-laden XP box!), but it would be much
easier if I could give support from the convenience of my home.
So... Does anybody here have experience setting this up? What tools
(preferably on the KDE side) are good for this? How complicated will
it be to do?
--
Wolfger
http://wolfger.wordpress.com/
http://twitter.com/wolfger
http://identi.ca/wolfger
The world is a mess, and I just... need to rule it.
--
ubuntu-us-mi mailing list
ubuntu-us-mi at lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-mi

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Todd DeLand

2009-06-24 16:49:18 UTC

Permalink

I am a lurker as well, Chelsey :)
The included Remote Desktop tools in Gnome seem to work pretty well for me.
It really is just VNC.

Make sure you poke a hole in her router and forward the port to her machine
though so you can connect from outside of her network (I hope she is behind
a router).

Is it hot today or what?

Todd

Post by Chelsey Twigg
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/ubuntu/kubuntu/enable-remote-desktop-vnc-on-kubuntu/
I'm usually a GNOME person m'self, so I've not had any experience with any
KDE differences. I am, however, free tech support to all family and friends
that use Ubuntu, and most of them live out-of-state
Also, for smaller problems that you know can be solved by a command or two,
if you're able to IM with her, it's really easy to just have her copy/paste
the commands and run them. Once you get them past the initial fear of the
command line, it makes things so much easier than remote desktop, or "OK,
click here... Then there..." I've been putting together a bash script,
actually, for friends to run on new installs, to install Medibuntu, updates,
and favorite tools.
Hope that helps!
P.S. I've been lurking on the list for a few months but never chipped in.
So hi everyone!

--
ubuntu-us-mi mailing list
ubuntu-us-mi at lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-mi

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Arnaud Soyez

2009-06-24 17:06:01 UTC

Permalink

Also if you are familiar with terminal/ssh, you can install
openssh-server.

Make sure that:
- you have an admin user on the remote machine
- you configure the ssh server to allow only the above user to log-in
through ssh (AllowUsers I think, in /etc/ssh/sshd_config)
- as previously said, you open a port on the router.

And I confirm that it's really hot today...
--
~ Arnaud Soyez
[GPG] BD1D82F4 (keyserver.ubuntu.com)

Le Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:49:18 -0400,

Post by Chelsey Twigg
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/ubuntu/kubuntu/enable-remote-desktop-vnc-on-kubuntu/
I'm usually a GNOME person m'self, so I've not had any experience
with any KDE differences. I am, however, free tech support to all
family and friends that use Ubuntu, and most of them live
out-of-state
Also, for smaller problems that you know can be solved by a command
or two, if you're able to IM with her, it's really easy to just
have her copy/paste the commands and run them. Once you get them
past the initial fear of the command line, it makes things so much
easier than remote desktop, or "OK, click here... Then there..."
I've been putting together a bash script, actually, for friends to
run on new installs, to install Medibuntu, updates, and favorite
tools.
Hope that helps!
P.S. I've been lurking on the list for a few months but never
chipped in. So hi everyone!

Post by Wolfger
Hey guys and gals. I've recently inducted a non-computer-geek into
the realm of Ubuntu users. She doesn't live too far away, which is
why I agreed to give her tech support gratis (hey... I *really*
wanted to rid the world of another virus-laden XP box!), but it
would be much easier if I could give support from the convenience
of my home.
So... Does anybody here have experience setting this up? What tools
(preferably on the KDE side) are good for this? How complicated
will it be to do?
--
Wolfger
http://wolfger.wordpress.com/
http://twitter.com/wolfger
http://identi.ca/wolfger
The world is a mess, and I just... need to rule it.
--
ubuntu-us-mi mailing list
ubuntu-us-mi at lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-mi

--
ubuntu-us-mi mailing list
ubuntu-us-mi at lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-mi

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Brad McMahon

2009-06-24 17:34:59 UTC

Permalink

Wolfger
I suggest you setup a reverse ssh connection at login and an NX server
on their box.

Sent from my iPhone

Post by Todd DeLand
I am a lurker as well, Chelsey :)
The included Remote Desktop tools in Gnome seem to work pretty well
for me. It really is just VNC.
Make sure you poke a hole in her router and forward the port to her
machine though so you can connect from outside of her network (I
hope she is behind a router).
Is it hot today or what?
Todd
On Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 12:43 PM, Chelsey Twigg
I haven't ever used it, but I found this article: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/ubuntu/kubuntu/enable-remote-desktop-vnc-on-kubuntu/
I'm usually a GNOME person m'self, so I've not had any experience
with any KDE differences. I am, however, free tech support to all
family and friends that use Ubuntu, and most of them live out-of-state
Also, for smaller problems that you know can be solved by a command
or two, if you're able to IM with her, it's really easy to just have
her copy/paste the commands and run them. Once you get them past the
initial fear of the command line, it makes things so much easier
than remote desktop, or "OK, click here... Then there..." I've been
putting together a bash script, actually, for friends to run on new
installs, to install Medibuntu, updates, and favorite tools.
Hope that helps!
P.S. I've been lurking on the list for a few months but never
chipped in. So hi everyone!
Hey guys and gals. I've recently inducted a non-computer-geek into the
realm of Ubuntu users. She doesn't live too far away, which is why I
agreed to give her tech support gratis (hey... I *really* wanted to
rid the world of another virus-laden XP box!), but it would be much
easier if I could give support from the convenience of my home.
So... Does anybody here have experience setting this up? What tools
(preferably on the KDE side) are good for this? How complicated will
it be to do?
--
Wolfger
http://wolfger.wordpress.com/
http://twitter.com/wolfger
http://identi.ca/wolfger
The world is a mess, and I just... need to rule it.
--
ubuntu-us-mi mailing list
ubuntu-us-mi at lists.ubuntu.com
Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-mi
--
ubuntu-us-mi mailing list
ubuntu-us-mi at lists.ubuntu.com
Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-mi
--
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Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-mi

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Wolfger

2009-06-24 18:39:01 UTC

Permalink

"reverse SSH"? You, sir, are either pulling my leg or over my head.

Post by Wolfger
Wolfger
I suggest you setup a reverse ssh connection at login and an NX server on
their box.
Sent from my iPhone
I am a lurker as well, Chelsey :)
The included Remote Desktop tools in Gnome seem to work pretty well for me.
It really is just VNC.
Make sure you poke a hole in her router and forward the port to her machine
though so you can connect from outside of her network (I hope she is behind
a router).
Is it hot today or what?
Todd
On Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 12:43 PM, Chelsey Twigg <darth.indy at gmail.com>

Post by Chelsey Twigg
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/ubuntu/kubuntu/enable-remote-desktop-vnc-on-kubuntu/
I'm usually a GNOME person m'self, so I've not had any experience with any
KDE differences. I am, however, free tech support to all family and friends
that use Ubuntu, and most of them live out-of-state
Also, for smaller problems that you know can be solved by a command or
two, if you're able to IM with her, it's really easy to just have her
copy/paste the commands and run them. Once you get them past the initial
fear of the command line, it makes things so much easier than remote
desktop, or "OK, click here... Then there..." I've been putting together a
bash script, actually, for friends to run on new installs, to install
Medibuntu, updates, and favorite tools.
Hope that helps!
P.S. I've been lurking on the list for a few months but never chipped in.
So hi everyone!

--
ubuntu-us-mi mailing list
ubuntu-us-mi at lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-mi

--
ubuntu-us-mi mailing list
ubuntu-us-mi at lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-mi
--
ubuntu-us-mi mailing list
ubuntu-us-mi at lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-mi

--
Wolfger
http://wolfger.wordpress.com/
http://twitter.com/wolfger
http://identi.ca/wolfger

The world is a mess, and I just... need to rule it.

Tony Bemus

2009-06-24 21:10:08 UTC

Permalink

I wrote a simple script that does port forwarding and it forwards the
VNC port to a server. I have a script that the user runs then I connect
to my server on that port and I can use VNC to control their desktop.

User:
ssh -X -p 3389 -N -R 5900:localhost:5900 support at bemus.homelinux.com

SSH will prompt them for a password, then I can connect providing they
have remote desktop turned on.

Tony Bemus

Post by Wolfger
"reverse SSH"? You, sir, are either pulling my leg or over my head.

Post by Chelsey Twigg
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/ubuntu/kubuntu/enable-remote-desktop-vnc-on-kubuntu/
I'm usually a GNOME person m'self, so I've not had any experience with any
KDE differences. I am, however, free tech support to all family and friends
that use Ubuntu, and most of them live out-of-state
Also, for smaller problems that you know can be solved by a command or
two, if you're able to IM with her, it's really easy to just have her
copy/paste the commands and run them. Once you get them past the initial
fear of the command line, it makes things so much easier than remote
desktop, or "OK, click here... Then there..." I've been putting together a
bash script, actually, for friends to run on new installs, to install
Medibuntu, updates, and favorite tools.
Hope that helps!
P.S. I've been lurking on the list for a few months but never chipped in.
So hi everyone!

--
ubuntu-us-mi mailing list
ubuntu-us-mi at lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-mi

--
Tony Bemus
Bemus Hosting
Web Hosting and Design
http://www.bemushosting.com

Robert Citek

2009-06-24 22:41:37 UTC

Permalink

This sounds like a really nice feature of ssh. So I'm curious about
some details. Does this mean that support has an account on
bemus.homelinux.com? How do you prevent a remote user from gaining
shell access? Or is that not an issue? How do you disconnect them
from your machine when you are finished so that you can help the next
person?

Regards,
- Robert

Post by Tony Bemus
I wrote a simple script that does port forwarding and it forwards the
VNC port to a server. I have a script that the user runs then I connect
to my server on that port and I can use VNC to control their desktop.
ssh -X -p 3389 -N -R 5900:localhost:5900 support at bemus.homelinux.com
SSH will prompt them for a password, then I can connect providing they
have remote desktop turned on.
Tony Bemus

Post by Wolfger
"reverse SSH"? You, sir, are either pulling my leg or over my head.

Post by Chelsey Twigg
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/ubuntu/kubuntu/enable-remote-desktop-vnc-on-kubuntu/
I'm usually a GNOME person m'self, so I've not had any experience with any
KDE differences. I am, however, free tech support to all family and friends
that use Ubuntu, and most of them live out-of-state
Also, for smaller problems that you know can be solved by a command or
two, if you're able to IM with her, it's really easy to just have her
copy/paste the commands and run them. Once you get them past the initial
fear of the command line, it makes things so much easier than remote
desktop, or "OK, click here... Then there..." I've been putting together a
bash script, actually, for friends to run on new installs, to install
Medibuntu, updates, and favorite tools.
Hope that helps!
P.S. I've been lurking on the list for a few months but never chipped in.
So hi everyone!

--
ubuntu-us-mi mailing list
ubuntu-us-mi at lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-mi

--
Tony Bemus
Bemus Hosting
Web Hosting and Design
http://www.bemushosting.com
--
ubuntu-us-mi mailing list
ubuntu-us-mi at lists.ubuntu.com
Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-mi

Tony Bemus

2009-06-25 02:31:43 UTC

Permalink

Robert, There is an account "support" on the server, There is no shell
access, in the passwd file I put /bin/false for the shell. so they
only have access to forward ports and no shell access. I can disconnect
them by either ctrl+c when I'm controlling their desktop or I can kill
their ssh process on the server.

The one down fall is that with this design I can only use one person
per that script. If I wanted to help multiple people then they all
would have to have their own ports in the script.

I got the idea from a commercial product called Kaseya, it is windows
based but the windows client connected to a server and my computer
connected to the server then I was able to control their desktop.

Tony

Post by Robert Citek
This sounds like a really nice feature of ssh. So I'm curious about
some details. Does this mean that support has an account on
bemus.homelinux.com? How do you prevent a remote user from gaining
shell access? Or is that not an issue? How do you disconnect them
from your machine when you are finished so that you can help the next
person?
Regards,
- Robert

Post by Wolfger
"reverse SSH"? You, sir, are either pulling my leg or over my head.

Post by Chelsey Twigg
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/ubuntu/kubuntu/enable-remote-desktop-vnc-on-kubuntu/
I'm usually a GNOME person m'self, so I've not had any experience with any
KDE differences. I am, however, free tech support to all family and friends
that use Ubuntu, and most of them live out-of-state
Also, for smaller problems that you know can be solved by a command or
two, if you're able to IM with her, it's really easy to just have her
copy/paste the commands and run them. Once you get them past the initial
fear of the command line, it makes things so much easier than remote
desktop, or "OK, click here... Then there..." I've been putting together a
bash script, actually, for friends to run on new installs, to install
Medibuntu, updates, and favorite tools.
Hope that helps!
P.S. I've been lurking on the list for a few months but never chipped in.
So hi everyone!

--
ubuntu-us-mi mailing list
ubuntu-us-mi at lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-mi

--
Tony Bemus
Bemus Hosting
Web Hosting and Design
http://www.bemushosting.com

Jay R. Wren

2009-06-25 02:56:11 UTC

Permalink

I could probably execute remote commands, and maybe even chsh.

does
ssh support at bemus.homelinux.com ls
show a directory listing?

--
Jay

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Tony Bemus" <tony at bemushosting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 10:31 PM
To: "Ubuntu Michigan Local Community Team" <ubuntu-us-mi at lists.ubuntu.com>
Subject: Re: [ubuntu-us-mi] remote support

Post by Tony Bemus
Robert, There is an account "support" on the server, There is no shell
access, in the passwd file I put /bin/false for the shell. so they
only have access to forward ports and no shell access. I can disconnect
them by either ctrl+c when I'm controlling their desktop or I can kill
their ssh process on the server.
The one down fall is that with this design I can only use one person
per that script. If I wanted to help multiple people then they all
would have to have their own ports in the script.
I got the idea from a commercial product called Kaseya, it is windows
based but the windows client connected to a server and my computer
connected to the server then I was able to control their desktop.
Tony

Post by Wolfger
"reverse SSH"? You, sir, are either pulling my leg or over my head.

Post by Chelsey Twigg
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/ubuntu/kubuntu/enable-remote-desktop-vnc-on-kubuntu/
I'm usually a GNOME person m'self, so I've not had any experience with any
KDE differences. I am, however, free tech support to all family and friends
that use Ubuntu, and most of them live out-of-state
Also, for smaller problems that you know can be solved by a command or
two, if you're able to IM with her, it's really easy to just have her
copy/paste the commands and run them. Once you get them past the initial
fear of the command line, it makes things so much easier than remote
desktop, or "OK, click here... Then there..." I've been putting together a
bash script, actually, for friends to run on new installs, to install
Medibuntu, updates, and favorite tools.
Hope that helps!
P.S. I've been lurking on the list for a few months but never chipped in.
So hi everyone!

--
ubuntu-us-mi mailing list
ubuntu-us-mi at lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-mi

--
Tony Bemus
Bemus Hosting
Web Hosting and Design
http://www.bemushosting.com
--
ubuntu-us-mi mailing list
ubuntu-us-mi at lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-mi

Scott Moser

2009-06-25 00:18:23 UTC

Permalink

I've not used it, but many of the windows vnc servers support "reverse
vnc". I really dont know much more than that.
There is information on that for linux at
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=299489

http://anthonymaciel.com/dhcontest/dreamsupport also has information
(although that is for windows).

Post by Todd DeLand
Is it hot today or what?

gib

2009-06-24 17:29:22 UTC

Permalink

Hi, good to see you contribute. If you are local to Detroit we would like to invite all of you lurkers to the regular meetings of some local groups. See the web site :
http://www.mdlug.org

---------- Original Message ----------
From: Chelsey Twigg <darth.indy at gmail.com>
To: Ubuntu Michigan Local Community Team <ubuntu-us-mi at lists.ubuntu.com>
Subject: Re: [ubuntu-us-mi] remote support
Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:43:45 -0400

I haven't ever used it, but I found this article: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/ubuntu/kubuntu/enable-remote-desktop-vnc-on-kubuntu/

I'm usually a GNOME person m'self, so I've not had any experience with any KDE differences. I am, however, free tech support to all family and friends that use Ubuntu, and most of them live out-of-state

Also, for smaller problems that you know can be solved by a command or two, if you're able to IM with her, it's really easy to just have her copy/paste the commands and run them. Once you get them past the initial fear of the command line, it makes things so much easier than remote desktop, or "OK, click here... Then there..." I've been putting together a bash script, actually, for friends to run on new installs, to install Medibuntu, updates, and favorite tools.

Hope that helps!

P.S. I've been lurking on the list for a few months but never chipped in. So hi everyone!

On Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 12:35 PM, Wolfger <wolfger at gmail.com> wrote:
Hey guys and gals. I've recently inducted a non-computer-geek into the
realm of Ubuntu users. She doesn't live too far away, which is why I
agreed to give her tech support gratis (hey... I *really* wanted to
rid the world of another virus-laden XP box!), but it would be much
easier if I could give support from the convenience of my home.

So... Does anybody here have experience setting this up? What tools
(preferably on the KDE side) are good for this? How complicated will
it be to do?

--
Wolfger
http://wolfger.wordpress.com/
http://twitter.com/wolfger
http://identi.ca/wolfger

The world is a mess, and I just... need to rule it.

--
ubuntu-us-mi mailing list
ubuntu-us-mi at lists.ubuntu.com
Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-mi

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