Remote Desktop Windows from Linux (Debian/Ubuntu) with RDesktop

Fortunately, Linux has rdesktop utility. It is a client for remote desktop protocol (RDP), used in a number of Microsoft products including Windows NT Terminal Server, Windows 2000 Server, Windows XP, Windows 2003 / 2008 Server, Windows Vista and Windows 7. You do not need to install VNC server. All you need is rdesktop client on Linux or BSD workstation.

Install rdesktop
Type the following command as root user :

# apt-get install rdesktop

To connect to MS-Windows systems from Linux, type the following command at a shell prompt (connect to Windows server called mw2sn100.mycorp.com)

$ rdesktop mw2sn100.mycorp.com

Or connect to windows XP/Vista/7 workstation having IP 10.122.1.65 :

$ rdesktop 10.122.1.65

 Please note that you must enable remote desktop connection under MS0Windows operating systems; otherwise it will not work. Turn on remote desktop under MS-Windows operating systems:

• Go to MS-Windows desktop
• Right Click on My Computer
• Select properties
• Select Remote tab
• Enable Remote desktop
• Save the changes

Make sure enterprise firewall allows incoming connection on TCP port 3389. rdesktop supports many other options.