This howto is targeted for Windows (quick Linux instructions are included towards bottom of this post) and leverages the SSH setup described in my earlier post Securing Windows Remote Desktop with OpenSSH. All the changes are on the Client machine. No changes are required on the machine running SSH server.

Modify Putty configuration on Client

1. Open PuTTY
2. In the Saved Sessions list click on the name you created during Securing Windows Remote Desktop with OpenSSH
3. Click Load
4. In the left pane click on + next to connection
5. Click on + next to SSH
6. Click on Tunnels
7. In the Source port field enter 9090 (Note: In PuTTY the source port field looks small but it will still allow you to enter details)
8. Leave the Destination field empty
9. Select Dynamic radio button
10. Click Add (see screenshot)
11. Click on Session in the left pane
12. Click Save button (Do not click Load again – it discard the tunnel changes you made)

Connect using PuTTY

1. Open PuTTY (if not already open)
2. In the Saved Sessions list click on the name you created during Securing Windows Remote Desktop with OpenSSH
3. Click Load
4. Click Open
5. The first time you connect you will see a security alert. Click Yes. (see screenshot)
6. You will be prompted for username/password
7. You should be successfully connected to Computer 1 (i.e SSH server) via SSH. (see screenshot)

Configure Browser proxy

1. Open FireFox Options (Tools->Options)
2. Click Advanced
3. Select Network tab and click on Settings
4. Select Manual Proxy configuration
5. Under SOCKS Host enter localhost and port 9090 (this has to match the port you entered in your Putty configuration)
6. Select SOCKS v5
7. Click OK (see screenshot)

You can now browse the Internet via a secure SSH connection. To verify go to http://www.whatismyip.com/ and you should see the external IP address of your home/trusted network. The are some handy FireFox Add-ons to make your life easier.

SwitchProxy Tool – lets you manage and switch between multiple proxy configurations quickly and easily  (see screenshot and usage instructions).

Live IP Address – displays your external IP address in Firefox’s status bar. With one quick glance you can verify you are secure browsing (see screenshot).

Updated on 06/15/2009 – DNS Resolution

As a reader has correctly commented below using the above technique the DNS resolution still happens at the local network and not on your trusted network. This can be altered by changing the FireFox configuration.

1. Open FireFox
2. In the address field enter about:config
3. If this is the first time you are accessing FireFox configuration you will see a waring page. Click “I’ll be careful, I promise!” (see screenshot)
4. A page displaying list of all FireFox configuration values is displayed.
5. Type ‘dns’ (without quotes) in the filter field
6. Right click on network.proxy.socks_remote_dns and select Toggle (see screenshot).
7. The Status column of the configuration page should now show user set for network.proxy.socks_remote_dns
8. Close the FireFox window

The DNS resolution step is optional but is recommended if you are browsing to certain sites that you do not want to be listed on the DNS log of the untrusted network.

Quick Linux (Ubuntu) instructions

To install SSH server open terminal window and type the following command

sudo apt-get install openssh-server

Check if firewall is active

sudo ufw status

If active allow SSH traffic

sudo ufw allow ssh

Follow the instructions here to Setup Port Forwarding on your router.

To connect to the SSH server for secure browsing use the command

ssh -D 9090 username@ip-address-of-ssh-server

Disclaimer: These steps have worked for me and have been tested on Compaq nc6000 running Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope). YMMV. I am not responsible for loss of data or damage to computers.

Installing the required packages

The following packages need to be installed

lm-sensors – a hardware health monitoring package for Linux. It allows you to access information from temperature, voltage, and fan speed sensors. It works with most newer systems

hddtemp – monitors and reports the temperature of PATA, SATA or SCSI hard drives by reading Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.) information on drives that support this feature

sensors-applet – an applet for the GNOME panel that displays readings from hardware sensors, including temperatures, fan speeds and voltage readings

computertemp – little applet for the GNOME desktop that shows the temperature of your CPU and disks in the panel.

Both sensors-applet and computertemp are applets that can be added to GNOME panel – you do not need both. Which one to use is your personal preference.

Open terminal window and type the following command

sudo apt-get install lm-sensors hddtemp sensors-applet computertemp

Before we can monitor the temperatures we need to configure the sensors. sensors-detect command helps determine which kernel modules need to be loaded to use lm_sensors most effectively.

Open terminal window and type the following command

sudo sensors-detect

You will be asked a few questions. It is generally safe and recommended to accept the default answers to all questions except the last one – the default is NO. You need to answer yes so that the required entries are made in /etc/modules file. Next step is to load the new modules into the kernel

sudo /etc/init.d/module-init-tools

Now that you have everything in place you can monitor the CPU and hard drive temperatures either from the command line or add an applet to the GNOME panel.

Command line options

Open terminal window and type the following command(s)

sensors

cat /proc/acpi/thermal_zone/*/temperature

Depending on your hardware, you may have more than one sensor. On Compaq nc6000 the output was

sudo hddtemp /dev/sda

On Compaq nc6000 the output was

Using sensors applet

Add sensors applet to the panel

1. Right click on the top or bottom panel
2. Click Add to Panel
3. Scroll down and select Hardware Sensors Monitor
4. Click Add
5. Click Close

By default sensors applet does not display hard drive temperature. To add it.

1. Right click on the applet and select preferences
2. Select Sensors tab
3. Expand hddtemp
4. Check the box in Enabled
5. Click Close

You should now see the CPU and hard drive temperatures in your panel

Using computertemp applet

1. Right click on the top or bottom panel
2. Click Add to Panel
3. Scroll down and select Computer Temperature Monitor
4. Click Add
5. Click Close

To display hard drive temperature you need to add another copy of the computertemp applet.

1. Repeat the steps above and add the computertemp applet to the panel
2. Right the newly added computertemp applet and select preferences
3. Select HDDTEMP as the sensor to monitor
4. Select /dev/sda as the Thermal Zone
5. Click Close

You should now see the CPU and hard drive temperatures in your panel

Good luck!!!

Disclaimer: These steps have worked for me and have been tested on Compaq nc6000 running Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope). YMMV. I am not responsible for loss of data or damage to computers.

Installation:

Install Dynamic Kernel Module Support (dkms) Framework

Although this step is optional it is recommended to install the dkms package it will ensure that VirtualBox host kernel modules are properly updated if the Linux kernel version changes.

sudo apt-get install dkms

Next edit /etc/apt/sources.list file and add the following line

deb http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian jaunty non-free

Before we proceed with the VirtualBox installation we need to add Sun’s public key for apt-secure

wget -q http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian/sun_vbox.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add -

Retrieve new lists of packages

sudo apt-get update

We are now ready to install VirtualBox

apt-get install virtualbox-2.2

After the installation comples you can start VirtualBox by clicking Start->System Tools->Sun VirtualBox or press Alt-F2 and run the command VirtualBox.

Ubuntu Community Documentation has good information on VirtualBox. Refer to FirstVM section for detailed instructions on creating guest operating systems.

Good luck!!!

Today I got myself IOGEAR Bluetooth 2.0 USB Micro Adapter. On Ubuntu Jaunty it works without any drivers. All you need to do is plug it in and the Bluetooth Manager indicator shows up. I was able to connect my phone in less than a minute. What I like about this device is that it is truly micro and does not block the other USB port on NC6000.

Using POP3 allows you to access HotMail via your favorite email client like Outlook, Thunderbird or Evolution. POP3 also makes it easier to access HotMail via your Phone/PDA.

Below are the configuration values to access HotMail using POP3

POP server: pop3.live.com (Port 995)
POP SSL required? Yes
User name: Your Windows Live ID, for example yourname@hotmail.com
Password: The password you usually use to sign in to Hotmail or Windows Live
SMTP server: smtp.live.com (Port 25)
Authentication required? Yes (this matches your POP username and password)
TLS/SSL required? Yes

To set the proxy for Amarok

Edit the $HOME/.kde/share/config/kioslaverc file and add the following entries

[Proxy Settings][$i]
ProxyType=1
httpProxy=http://username:password@proxyserver:port/
httpsProxy=http://username:password@proxyserver:port/
ftpProxy=http://username:password@proxyserver:port/

Save the file and restart Amarok and you should be able to access the lyrics service and fetch cover art from the internet.

Update 05/30/2009: Also see VirtualBox – virtualization alternative to VMWare

Disclaimer: These steps have worked for me and have been tested on Compaq nc6000 running Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex). YMMV. I am not responsible for loss of data or damage to computers.

All the screenshots for this howto can be accessed here.

Install required dependencies

Open terminal window and type the following command

sudo apt-get install linux-headers-`uname -r` build-essential xinetd gcc-3.4

Create required directories

In this guide I am using $HOME/Downloads as the base directory. You can choose any directory of your choice. Open terminal prompt and type the following command

mkdir $HOME/Downloads

Download VMWare Server

Download VMware Server 2 for Linux Operating Systems TAR image and save it in $HOME/Downloads.

If you already have a VMWare account login with the account. If not complete the registration process. Please make sure you use a valid email address because you will receive VMWare server activation instructions including the serial number via email.

Installing and Configuring VMWare Server

1. Unpack the downloaded archive. Open the terminal window (if not already open) and type the following command

   cd $HOME/Downloads
   tar -zxvf VMware-server-2.0.0-122956.i386.tar.gz

2. Now change to the installation directory

   cd vmware-server-distrib

3. Run the installation script

   sudo ./vmware-install.pl

4. The installation script will prompt for the directory locations for binary files, initialization scripts, daemon files, library files, manual files, and documentation files. Unless you have a custom installation of Ubuntu accept the default responses.
5. A message indicating successful installation of VMWare Server for Linux will be displayed.
6. When prompted to run /usr/bin/vmware-config.pl choose yes.
   Note: As per VMWare server documentation configuration with vmware-config.pl is required in the following circumstances:
   • When you install VMware Server for the first time.
   • When you upgrade your version of VMware Server.
   • When you upgrade your host operating system kernel. (It is not necessary to reinstall VMware Server after you upgrade your kernel.)
   • To reconfigure the networking options for VMware Server. For example, to add or remove a virtual network.
7. The configuration script will attempt to stop the Virtual Machines and VMWare management services. Failed message will be displayed. This is normal. Ignore the failures.
8. Read and accept the End User License Agreement.
9. The configuration script will now prompt for information. Unless you have a custom installation of Ubuntu accept the default responses.
10. When prompted “Do you want networking for your virtual machines?” type yes.
11. VMWare Server provides three choices for networking – Bridged, NAT and HostOnly. This howto installs all three. Before proceeding I strongly recommend reading Networking Basics on page 212 of VMWare Server User’s Guide.
12. By default configuration script creates a “Bridged” network
13. If you have  multiple ethernet network interfaces available (wired and wireless) you will be prompted to choose the network interface to bridge for virtual machines. If you wish to bridge the other ethernet network interface answer yes to the “Do you wish to configure another bridged network?” prompt.
14. Answer yes to “Do you want to be able to use NAT networking in your virtual machines?” and accept the default responses.
15. Answer yes to “Do you want to be able to use host-only networking in your virtual machines?”
16. Accept default ports for remote, http and https connections (If you are already using those ports change the port number when prompted).
17. Answer yes to “Would you like to specify a different administrator?”
18. You will be prompted to enter the user for VMWare administrator. Enter the user you are currently logged in as. (Tip: To find the user open terminal window and run the command whoami)
19. You will be prompted to enter the 20-character serial number. You should have received this via email when you download the TAR image.
20. Almost done. Accept default responses for the rest of the prompts.
21. You should see message indicating starting of VMware services, VMware management services and VMware autostart virtual machines.
22. Successful completion of VMWare Server for Linux message will be displayed and you will be returned to the terminal prompt.
23. Type exit to close the terminal window.

Creating a new Virtual Machine

1. VMWare Server interface is web based and can be accessed by going to http://127.0.0.1:8222. (see screenshot)
2. To login use the VMWare administrator you created in step 18 above
3. Once you are successfully logged in the host workspace screen is displayed (see screenshot)
4. To create a new Virtual Machine click on “Create Virtual Machine” link
5. Create Virtual Machine wizard window will open.
6. On the “Name and Location” page change the name to “Windows_XP_PRO” and select “standard” datastore. The standard datastore is created when you install VMWare. Click Next. (see screenshot)
7. On the “Guest Operating System” page select “Windows operating system” and change the version to “Windows XP Professional (32-bit)”. Click Next. (see screenshot)
8. On the “Memoy and Processors” change the memory size and CPU count if required. The default settings work OK. Click Next. (see screenshot)
9. On the “Hard Disk” page select “Create a New Virtual Disk”. Click Next. (see screenshot)
10. On the “Hard Disk Properties” page change the capacity and location if required. Click Next. (see screenshot)
11. On the “Network Adapter” page select “Add a Network Adapter” and click Next. (see screenshot)
12. On the “Network Adapter Properties” page select network connection type (please see Networking Basics on page 212 of VMWare Server User’s Guide) and check Yes. Click Next. (see screenshot)
13. On the “CD/DVD Drive” page select “Use a Physical Drive” and click Next. (see screenshot)
14. On the “CD/DVD Drive Properties” page select the Host CD/DVD Drive and click Next. (see screenshot)
15. On the “Floppy Drive” page the option “Use a Physical Drive” will be disabled if your machine does not have a Floppy Drive. If you do not wish to use Floppy Drive on the Virtual Machine select “Don’t Add a Floppy Drive”. Click Next. (see screenshot)
16. On the “USB Controller” page select “Add a USB Controller” and click Next. (see screenshot)
17. On the “Ready to Complete” page review your selection. Click Finish. (see screenshot)
18. You will be returned to host workspace screen and the new virtual machine will be listed under the Inventory.

Installing Operating System on the new Virtual Machine

1. Click on Windows_XP_Pro from the inventory list
2. Click on the Console tab of the virtual machine. (see screenshot)
3. To use the console you need VMWare Remote Console Plug-in.
4. Click the Install plug-in link
5. Firefox might prevent installation of the software. Click the Allow button. (see screenshot)
6. Firefox Software Installation screen will appear. Click Install Now. (see screenshot)
7. After successful installation of the plug-in you will be prompted to restart Firefox. Click Restart Firefox.
8. Open the VMWare Server interface going to http://127.0.0.1:8222
9. Login with the correct username / password.
10. Once you are successfully logged in the host workspace screen is displayed
11. Insert the Windows XP installation CD in the CD/DVD drive of your PC.
12. Click on the Console tab of the virtual machine. (see screenshot)
13. Click Virtual Machine from the top navigation and then select Power On/Resume (The green Play button on the top navigation can also be used to Power On the virtual machine) (see screenshot)
14. Click anywhere within the console tab to open it in a new window. (see screenshot)
15. The new Virtual Machine will boot from the CD and the Windows XP installation screen will be visible. (see screenshot)
16. Proceed with installing Windows XP as you would on a stand alone PC. (Please remember to run Windows Update to install all the latest updates)
17. You can now remove the Windows XP installation CD in the CD/DVD drive of your PC

Installing VMWare Tools

VMWare Tools is a set of utilities that help management of the virtual machine and also enhances performance. It is strongly recommended installing VMWare Tools

1. In VMWare Infrastructure Web Access window select Windows XP from the inventory list.
2. Power On the Virtual Machine if required
3. Click on “Install VMWare Tools” link
4. VMWare Tools installation dialog box will appear. Click Install (see screenshot)
5. Click on the Console tab of the virtual machine and then click anywhere to open the console in new window.
6. VMWare Tools installation wizard will be visible. Click Next. (see screenshot)
7. Select Typical and click Next (see screenshot)
8. Click Install. (see screenshot)
9. Click Finish (see screenshot)
10. Click Yes to restart (see screenshot)

Shutting down Virtual Machine

1. In VMWare Infrastructure Web Access window select Windows XP from the inventory list
2. Click Virtual Machine from the top navigation and then select Power Off/  (The red Stop button on the top navigation can also be used to Power On the virtual machine) (see screenshot)

You also may shutdown by selecting Start->Turn Off Computer

Licensing

Installation of Windows under a virtual machine requires a license as well. Microsoft has a virtualization license plan whereby customers can pay license fees for the number of processors the software will run on in virtual mode.

Final Thoughts

I find virtualization very helpful and run multiple Virtual Machines. VMWare Server supports a range of Windows and Linux host operating systems. Please refer to page 25-26 of the of VMWare Server User’s Guide. Follow the instructions above to create a new Virtual Machine and select the operating system of your choice.

Good luck on your VMWare journey.

Disclaimer: These steps have worked for me and have been tested on Compaq Evo N610c running Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Hardy Heron) and Compaq Armada M300 running XUbuntu 8.04 LTS (Hardy Heron). YMMV. I am not responsible for loss of data or damage to computers.

1. Open Terminal Window
2. If you already know your hostname skip to step 4
3. To find your hostname run the following command

hostname

4. Make a copy of the existing dhclient configuration file

sudo cp /etc/dhcp3/dhclient.conf /etc/dhcp3/dhclient.original

5. Edit the dhclient configuration file

sudo vi /etc/dhcp3/dhclient.conf

6. Search for the line send host-name (On XUbuntu it is missing completely and you will need to add it in)
7. Uncomment the line and replace <hostname> with the hostname identified in step 3. The line should look similar to (don’t leave out the semi-colon at the end)

send host-name "ubuntu-laptop";

8. Save the file and exit gedit
9. Restart networking

sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart

That’s it … test if other machines on the network can now look up your machine by using the FQDN. If you notice something wrong you can always restore the original dhclient configuration file.

The above instructions should work for KUbuntu too although I have not validate it myself.

Ubuntu 8.10 core includes GNOME 2.24 desktop which introduces 2 major enhancements – Nautilus file manager now has tabbed support and the File Roller archive manager adds support for ALZ, RZIP, CAB, TAR and 7Z archive types.

File Browser has tabbed support on Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex

Intrepid Ibex includes X.Org 7.4 which is the latest stable and this version addresses the resolution issue with ATI Mobility Radeon 7500. You can now adjust the resolution without making manual changes to xorg.conf file. Extra Visual Effects are also supported.

Ubuntu 8.10 has support for ATI Mobility Radeon 7500

Extra Visual Effects are also supported

Ubuntu 8.10 adds Guest session functionality. You can now create a temporary password-less user account. This  temporary account cannot permanently store data and also cannot access any regular user’s data.

Guest Session creates a password-less user

With Ubuntu 8.10 you can create a USB Startup Disk. You have been able to do this with earlier versions too but it is now much easier.

Ubuntu 8.10 lets you make a USB Startup Disk

Specific to Ubuntu 8.10 on Evo N610c you no longer see the ugly ACPI error messages during boot up. ACPI works much better – the sleep and hibernate functions work correctly. The fan is not on constantly and only kicks in when required.

Ubuntu 8.10 includes the latest 2.6.27-7-generic kernel and the rev 1300 of orinoco drivers for Compaq Wireless LAN MultiPort W200 doe not build correctly. I had to play around quite a bit to get W200 to work and a special patch is required. To help other users I have updated  WifiDocs/Device/CompaqW200 – Community Ubuntu Documentation. A patched version of the driver is available here for your convenience.

One disappointment I had with Ubuntu 8.10 is that it includes OpenOffice 2.4.1 instead of the latest 3.0 version. However upgrading to OpenOffice 3.0 on Ubuntu 8.10 is easy.

Overall Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex runs much better on Compaq Evo N610c as compared to Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron. If you enjoy Ubuntu and own a Evo N610c give Intrepid Ibex a try.

Good luck!!!

Intrepid Ibex releases of Kubuntu – Ubuntu with the K Desktop Environment and Xubuntu – Ubuntu with the XFCE desktop environment are available for download too.

I am in the process of downloading the release and will post my experience soon.