Cantech Cloud

How to access Linux VM from Windows and Linux

Written by

Akshay Chauhan

in

Accessing a Linux VM from Windows

You can connect to a Linux virtual machine from a Windows system using SSH (Secure Shell) or Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) if a graphical interface is installed.

Requirements

Before connecting, ensure you have the following:

  • The IP address of the Linux virtual machine.
  • The SSH service is installed and running on the VM (default SSH port: 22).
  • A valid username and password, or an SSH private key if key-based authentication is configured.

Method 1: Connect Using PuTTY (SSH Client)

Step 1: Install PuTTY

Download the latest version of PuTTY from the official website and install it on your Windows computer.

Step 2: Launch PuTTY

Open the PuTTY application.

  • Enter the IP address of your Linux VM in the Host Name (or IP address) field.
  • Verify that the Port is set to 22.
  • Keep the connection type as SSH.

Launch PuTTY

Step 3: Establish the Connection

Click Open.

The first time you connect, PuTTY will display the server’s SSH fingerprint.

Click Accept (or Yes) to continue.

Step 4: Authenticate

When prompted:

  • Enter the Linux username (for example, root or another user).
  • Enter the corresponding password.

If you are using SSH key authentication, configure your private key by navigating to:

Connection → SSH → Auth

Then browse and select your .ppk private key file.

Establish the Connection

Method 2: Connect Using Windows Terminal or PowerShell

Step 1: Open Windows Terminal

Launch Windows Terminal, PowerShell, or Command Prompt.

Step 2: Connect Using SSH

Execute the following command:

Bash
ssh username@<Linux_VM_IP>

Replace:

  • username with your Linux account name.
  • <Linux_VM_IP> with the IP address of the virtual machine.

Example:

Bash
ssh root@192.168.1.1

Step 3: Login

Enter the password when prompted.

If SSH key authentication is configured, ensure your private key is located in the default Windows SSH directory:

Bash
C:\Users\<username>\.ssh\

Login SSH

Method 3: Connect Using Remote Desktop (GUI Access)

If your Linux VM has a desktop environment installed, you can connect through Remote Desktop.

Step 1: Install XRDP on the Linux VM

Update the package list and install XRDP

Bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt install xrdp

Step 2: Enable the XRDP Service

Start the service and enable it to launch automatically after reboot.

Bash
sudo systemctl enable –now xrdp

Step 3: Open Remote Desktop Connection

On your Windows machine:

  • Open Remote Desktop Connection.
  • Enter the Linux VM IP address.
  • Click Connect.

Step 4: Sign In

Provide your Linux username and password to access the graphical desktop.

Connecting from one Linux system to another is simple using SSH. You can also use SCP for secure file transfers.

Requirements

Before connecting, verify that:

  • You know the Linux VM’s IP address.
  • SSH is installed and active on the VM.
  • You have valid login credentials or an SSH key.

Method 1: Connect Using SSH

Step 1: Open the Terminal

Launch the Terminal application on your Linux computer.

Step 2: Run the SSH Command

Use the following command:

Bash
ssh username@<Linux_VM_IP>

Example:

Bash
ssh ubuntu@192.168.1.100

Step 3: Authenticate

Enter your password when prompted.

If you are using an SSH key, verify that the key exists in your local SSH directory.

Example:

Bash
~/.ssh/id_rsa

Ensure the private key has the correct permissions.

Bash
chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_rsa

Method 2: Access Using Cockpit (Web Interface)

Cockpit provides a browser-based interface for managing Linux systems.

Step 1: Install Cockpit

Log in to your Linux VM using SSH and install Cockpit.

For Ubuntu/Debian:

Bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt install cockpit -y

For RHEL, Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux, or CentOS:

Bash
sudo dnf install cockpit -y

Step 2: Enable and Start the Cockpit Service

Enable the Cockpit socket so that it starts automatically during system boot, and then start the service.

Bash
sudo systemctl enable cockpit.socket
sudo systemctl start cockpit.socket

Verify that the Cockpit socket is running.

Bash
sudo systemctl status cockpit.socket

Step 3: Allow Port 9090 Through the Firewall (Optional)

If your firewall is enabled, allow access to TCP port 9090.

Ubuntu (UFW):

Bash
sudo ufw allow 9090/tcp
sudo ufw reload

RHEL/Rocky/AlmaLinux:

Bash
sudo firewall-cmd –permanent –add-service=cockpit
sudo firewall-cmd –reload

Step 4: Verify Cockpit is Listening

Run the following command to verify that Cockpit is listening on port 9090.

Bash
sudo ss -tulnp | grep 9090

Expected output:

Bash
LISTEN 0 4096 *:9090

Step 5: Open Cockpit in a Web Browser

On your Windows or Linux computer, open your preferred web browser and enter the following URL:

Bash
https://<Linux_VM_IP>:9090

Step 6: Log In to Cockpit

On the Cockpit login page, enter your Linux VM credentials.

Log In to Cockpit

Cockpit Login Successfully

Troubleshooting

Connection Refused

If you cannot establish an SSH connection:

Check whether the SSH service is running.

Bash
sudo systemctl status ssh

If necessary, start the service.

Bash
sudo systemctl start ssh

Ensure the firewall permits SSH traffic.

Bash
sudo ufw allow ssh

Authentication Failed

If login fails:

  • Verify the username and password.
  • If using an SSH key, confirm the correct private key is selected.
  • Make sure the private key permissions are set properly.
Bash
chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_rsa

Timeout Issues:

  • Verify the Linux VM is running and accessible via the network.
  • Check network configurations and routes.

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