Running Remote Linux Sessions: NX Client
for Windows Running Remote Linux Sessions: NX Client
for Windows 
To use the graphical interface to the multi-user Linux workstations L-LNX000-L-LNX015, use the NX client from a Windows computer to make that connection.
On Windows computers in the Elder, Hering, 1245 SC, or 2301 SC labs, find the NX client from Start | All Programs | NX Client for Windows. Use the NX Connection Wizard to set up your session. Continue from the Run section below.
From the NOMACHINE download site, select the NX Client for Windows (you may need to scroll down to see the NX Client Products). Click NX Client for Windows or the arrow to the right of that text to open the download window. (See illustration at right.) Notice that there are also NX clients for Linux, Macintosh OSX, and Solaris computers.
You can install the NX Client without being administrator.
Run the .exe file installer and click Next at the first dialogue box. You must choose the installation directory next; we suggest using the default if installing on a computer you own. If you are installing on an administered computer, install in your home directory, for example, H:\Program Files\NX Client for Windows. Click Next.
Next the installer creates shortcuts. Accept or modify and click Next two times and then Install, then Finish when prompted.
Start the NX Client and you will be prompted through the Connection Wizard. Click Next. Name the session (or called it "session" as in the illustration), use the Host desktop.engineering.uiowa.edu to connect to a Linux workstation, and set your internet connection as appropriate. Using desktop.engineering.uiowa.edu is the preferred method of connecting because you will automatically be routed to a Linux machine that has an open connection.
To connect to a specific Linux workstation, set the Host to L-LNX000.engr.uiowa.edu (through L-LNX-015), as appropriate.
Click Next.
On the next screen, leave Unix and KDE set. You can change the size of remote desktop screen to any of the pre-set options or create a custom window. The example below shows the fullscreen option. Click Next.
The final dialogue box lets you put a shortcut on the desktop and gives the option of opening the Advanced Configuration dialogue box. Click Finish. The Advanced Configuration lets you set the amount of cache used in memory and on disk, change settings made above, etc.
The NX Client launches and requests the password for your Engineering account. Click Yes on the NX dialogue box that displays the RSA key fingerprint information, shown below. You will see this dialogue box the first time you use the NX Client and the first time you connect to a specific Linux workstation (L-LNX000-015).
As of August 2009, there is a limit of two (2) NX users per Linux workstation. If you try to connect to a workstation that already has two users, you'll get a dialogue box that says "Reached the maximum number of concurrent sessions on this server." Close the dialogue box and try again, either using desktop.engineering.uiowa.edu (preferred because you are automatically routed to a Linux machine that has a free connection) or a specific Linux workstation (e.g., L-LNX014.engr.uiowa.edu).
Connections using NX can last for 24 hours. After 24 hours, an NX connection will be terminated.
Each user can have only one (1) active NX session at a time.
After you complete a session, be sure to log out. (Thank you.)
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