How to access Linux VM from Windows and Linux.

Create a virtual machine as explained in How to Create Virtual Machines.

Accessing Linux VM from Windows

To access a Linux VM from a Windows machine, you typically use SSH (Secure Shell) or remote desktop protocols. Here’s how to do it:

Prerequisites:

1. Linux VM IP Address: Ensure you know the IP address of the Linux VM.
2. SSH Enabled: Ensure the SSH service is running on the Linux VM (default port: 22).
3. Credentials: Have the username and password (or SSH key) for the Linux VM.

Option 1: Using PuTTY (SSH Client)

1. Download PuTTY:
   • Download PuTTY from putty.org and install it on your Windows machine.
2. Open PuTTY:
   • Launch PuTTY and enter the IP address of the Linux VM in the “Host Name (or IP address)” field.
   • Ensure the port is set to 22 (default SSH port).
3. Connect:
   • Click “Open” to start the connection.
   • If prompted with a security alert about the server’s key, click “Yes.”
4. Login:
   • Enter the username and password when prompted.
   • If using an SSH key, configure the key in PuTTY under “Connection > SSH > Auth.”

Option 2: Using Windows Terminal or PowerShell

1. Launch Windows Terminal/PowerShell:
   • Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell.
2. Run SSH Command:ssh username@<Linux_VM_IP>Replace username with your Linux VM username and <Linux_VM_IP> with the VM’s IP address.
3. Authenticate:
   • Enter the password when prompted.
   • If using an SSH key, ensure the key is stored in the default .ssh directory on your Windows machine.

Option 3: Using Remote Desktop (if GUI access is required)

1. Install Remote Desktop Server on Linux VM:
   • Install a desktop environment (e.g., GNOME, XFCE) and a remote desktop server (e.g., xrdp) on the Linux VM.
   sudo apt update sudo apt install xrdp
2. Configure xrdp:
   • Start the xrdp service:
   sudo systemctl enable --now xrdp
3. Connect via Remote Desktop:
   • Open the Remote Desktop Connection app on Windows.
   • Enter the IP address of the Linux VM and click “Connect.”
   • Login with your Linux VM credentials.

Accessing Linux VM from Linux

Accessing a Linux VM from another Linux machine is straightforward using SSH or SCP for file transfers.

Prerequisites:

1. Linux VM IP Address: Ensure you know the IP address of the Linux VM.
2. SSH Enabled: Ensure the SSH service is running on the Linux VM (default port: 22).
3. Credentials: Have the username and password (or SSH key) for the Linux VM.

Using SSH

1. Open Terminal:
   • Launch a terminal on your local Linux machine.

1. Run SSH Command:ssh username@<Linux_VM_IP>Replace username with your Linux VM username and <Linux_VM_IP> with the VM’s IP address.

1. Authenticate:
   • Enter the password when prompted.If using an SSH key, ensure the key is stored in the ~/.ssh directory and set proper permissions:
   chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_rsa

Using GUI Tools (Optional)

Cockpit

Paste the IP address in the browser

Login successful via Cockpit

Troubleshooting

Common Issues:

1. Connection Refused:
   • Ensure the SSH service is running on the Linux VM:sudo systemctl status ssh
   • Ensure the firewall allows SSH:sudo ufw allow ssh
2. Authentication Failure:
   • Verify the username and password.
   • If using an SSH key, ensure it is properly configured and permissions are set to 600.
3. Timeout Issues:
   • Verify the Linux VM is running and accessible via the network.
   • Check network configurations and routes.

By following these steps, you can access your Linux VM from both Windows and Linux environments efficiently.