There are a number of good Linux terminal server clients available. In this article I will demonstrate how you connect to your server with the help of two of them: tsclient and krdc.

tsclient

What most people like about tsclient is that is very closely resembles the Microsoft tool that handles the same task. So there is already a level of familiarity to the application. But before you can use it, you have to install it. This is simple, just follow these steps:

1. Open your package management system.
2. Search for “tsclient” (no quotes).
3. Mark tsclient for installation.
4. Click Apply to install.

Figure 1

That’s it. Once tsclient is installed you will find the menu entry in Applications > Internet or you can run the command tsclient from the run dialog (hit <Alt>F2) or a terminal window. When the client opens you will notice a very familiar interface (see Figure 1). The creator did this so that users would be comfortable with the application right away.

To make a basic connection with tsclient all you have to do is configure the following:

• Computer: The address of the computer you need to connect with.
• Protocol: Most likely you will be using RDP.
• Username: You MIGHT have to use the DOMAIN\USERNAME configuration for your username. Otherwise just enter the username.
• Password: Your user password.

That’s it. When the connection is made you will find yourself happily logged into Microsoft Terminal Server.

KRCD

This tool is, as you would expect, is a KDE application. It is just as easy to use as tsclient, but it does have a different interface. And, of course, KRCD does not come pre-installed on your KDE desktop. To install follow these steps:

1. Open up your package management system (software installation application).
2. Search for “krcd” (no quotes).
3. Mark KRCD for installation.
4. Click Apply to install.

That’s it. You will now find KRCD in your Applications > Internet menu labeled “Remote Desktop Client”.

Figure 2

When you fire up KRDC the main window is a client, user-friendly tool (see Figure 2). To connect to your Terminal Server follow these steps:

1. Click “Connect to a Windows Remote Desktop”.
2. Enter the address of your server in the Remote desktop bar (at the top of the window).
3. Set any necessary configuration option in the resulting window and click OK.
4. Enter username (you might have to use DOMAIN\USERNAME).
5. If you have set up the KDE Wallet, enter your Wallet password.
6. Enter the password for your user account on the Terminal Server.

That’s it. You should now be logged into your terminal server.

Final thoughts

You don’t have to go without your Windows fix in Linux. With what seems like an endless array of methods for using Windows, Linux should seem to be ever-more flexible. And now, you should be able to log into your companies (or clients) remote terminal servers easily.

As you would expect, with the help of Webmin, creating a firewall is very simple. And the default Webmin installation comes complete with a firewall module built in, so there is nothing to install (once you have Webmin installed.) All you have to do is point your browser to http://IP_OR_DOMAIN:1000 (Where IP_OR_DOMAIN is the actual IP address or domain hosting your Webmin installation.) If Webmin is installed on your desktop you can point your browser to http://localhost:10000.

Webmin Firewall

Once you are in the Webmin window you will want to click on the Servers link and then click on the Linux Firewall link. The image to the left is the top portion of the configuration screen. This image is showing a default iptables chain that is installed by default in Fedora. As you can see these chain rules are easily modified, moved, appended, and removed.

The Add Rule Window

I want to illustrate how easy it is to add a new rule to the already existing chain. Let’s say you want to add a rule that denies all incoming connections to port 110 (pop3) to your machine. To do this click on the Add Rule button to reveal the Add Rule window (see image to the right.)

The primary configurations to take for this would be:

• Rule Comment: Give the rule a name.
• Action to take: Drop
• Source Address: Any
• Destination Address: 192.168.1. (This will depend upon your needs. If you have a static IP address for the machine enter that.
• Destination Port: 110

Once you have filled this out, click Create Rule and you will be returned to the main window with your rule listed.

Final Steps

Once you have your new rule(s) created you have to scroll down and click the Apply Configuration button (see the image to the left). You will also notice, near the bottom, buttons that allow you to enable your firewall at boot, reset your firewall, and reset to the currently active firewall.

Once you have applied your configuration, if you want to remove a rule you just created you have to go back to the rule list, select the rule you want to delete, and click the Delete Selected button.

It is also important to make sure you have your rules set up in the right order. It is very easy to arrange your rules with the Webmin Firewall Module. Go to the rule listing and click either the up or down arrow the corresponds to the rule you want to move, The rule is then moved one slot up or down (depending upon which arrow you click). But don’t forget to click the Apply Configuration or your move will not stick.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a very simple, web-based, solution for creating a firewall the Webmin firewall module might be the answer for you. Not only is it easy to use, you can administer your firewall remotely.