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--- linux:x2go [2024/03/06 08:56] – [Desktop sharing] jansen
+++ linux:x2go [2025/08/20 09:49] (current) – jansen
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== X2go ======
-X2go is a (relatively new) and completely free client/server solution for remote access to graphical desktops. In its basic form, it provides a GUI around [[:VNC]] server and viewer, including setting up the SSH tunnel for secure remote access, but it has more possibilities, including:
+X2go is a (relatively) easy and completely free client/server solution for remote access to graphical desktops. In its basic form, it provides a GUI around [[:VNC]] server and viewer, including setting up the SSH tunnel for secure remote access, but it has more possibilities, including:
   * sharing folders between local and remote computers
   * forwarding audio
@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 See also: [[http://www.x2go.org]]
+===== Using SSH keys =====
+We recommend that you set up ssh keys. If you have a working key setup, you can check the option ''SSH Agent or default SSH key''. This will allow you access without having to type your password and two-factor login code on each connection. Of course the usual warnings apply: treat this ssh key as an actual key: once someone has it, they have access to your account, so never give it out to anyone, never put it in a place where others can access it, etc. See also [[services:2fa:sshkeys|SSH keys]]
 ===== Desktop sharing =====
@@ Line 25: / Line 29: @@
 ===== Warning: do not save your password in X2GO =====
-First of all, X2GO stores the saved passwordin a format that is easily decrypted if someone gets hold of your laptop or the files. \\
+First of all, **X2GO stores the saved password in a format that is easily decrypted** if someone gets hold of your laptop or the files. \\
 A second more practical problem: with two-factor authentication, X2GO will keep re-using the stored password and prompt again for the 6 digit code when there is a login failure. This will soon trigger the ban-list on the target computer due to too many subsequent login failures.
+====== Logging in through a proxy ======
+Some machines are not directly reachable from outside the university (often also not from the wireless network inside the university). Example: all of Instituut Lorentz; most Sterrewacht compute nodes. \\
+In these cases, it is possible to set up a connection through a proxy server.
+  * For Institure Lorentz, use ''ssh.lorentz.leidenuniv.nl'' as the proxy
+  * For Sterrewacht, use ''ssh.strw.leidenuniv.nl'', or if you have a desktop computer, use that computer as the proxy
+In the session preferences of the x2go client, check the box ''Use Proxy server for SSH connection''. A new panel of the preferences page will now appear where you can specify the proxy details.
+  * Type: SSH (is normally already selected as the default type)
+  * Host: (see above, based on institute)
+  * Check the boxes ''Same login as on X2Go server'' and ''Same password as on X2Go server'' to avoid having to type your password twice.
+  * We recommend that you set up ssh keys. If you have a working key setup, you can check the option ''SSH Agent or default SSH key''. This will allow you access without having to type your password and two-factor login code on each connection. Of course the usual warnings apply: treat this ssh key as an actual key: once someone has it, they have access to your account, so never give it out to anyone, never put it in a place where others can access it, etc. See also [[services:2fa:sshkeys|SSH keys]]
+And if all is well, this is all you have to do.
+**BEWARE**: you will be prompted twice for a two-factor authentication code (once by the proxy server, and once by the machine you choose to run your x2go session. Unless of course you are using [[services:2fa:sshkeys|SSH keys]].
+**Please check** if the target machine has the session installed that you want to run; most compute nodes don't have all of the possible Linux desktop environments. Please ask ''helpdesk@strw.leidenuniv.nl'', we may be able to help you to get the software installed, or point you to available alternatives.

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