Remote Connections on Windows
In this lesson, we explore various methods for making remote connections on Windows computers, focusing on tools like PuTTY and the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).
🖥️ Using PuTTY for Remote Connections
PuTTY is a free, open-source software that allows you to make remote connections using various network protocols, including SSH. Here’s how it works:
Installation:
You can download PuTTY from its official website as an MSI package (Microsoft Installer) or directly as an executable file (PuTTY.exe).
After installation, launch the PuTTY GUI to configure your connection.
Connection Setup:
Input the host name or IP address of the computer you want to connect to.
Default SSH port is set to 22.
Click open to start the session and SSH into the remote computer.
Command-Line Option:
PuTTY can also be run from the command line or PowerShell.
Example command:
putty.exe -ssh user@ip_address -P port_number.
PuTTY Link (Plink):
Plink is another tool bundled with PuTTY for making SSH connections via the command line.
💡 SSH (Secure Shell) is especially useful for connecting from Windows to a Linux-based system.
🖱️ Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
Windows also offers the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) for graphical remote connections.
Enabling RDP:
Open the Start menu, right-click This PC, select Properties, and navigate to Remote Settings.
Enable RDP connections for users on your network (ensure only trusted users have access due to security concerns 🔒).
Using RDP:
You can launch the RDP client by typing
mstsc.exein the Run box or searching for Remote Desktop Connection in the Start menu.Input the name or IP address of the remote machine to connect.
Command-Line Launch:
The RDP client can also be launched from the command line with additional parameters like
/adminto connect with administrative credentials.
💻 RDP Clients are available for other operating systems like Linux (Real VNC) and macOS (Microsoft RDP).
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