MyEnTunnel
MyEnTunnel (http://nemesis2.qx.net/pages/MyEnTunnel) is a handy, reliable Windows program that solved a big problem for me.
I have become reliant on running a VNC server on my linux machine. Doing so allows me to run a VNC client to an X session. When network problems inevitably lead to a dropped connection, I just reconnect and all of my work is happily where I left it, in the X session on the server, rather than lost.
In tightening security, however, our institution now frowns on leaving open any ports on a server that aren't strictly necessary, including the VNC ports (5900-5909).
Now, therefore, I need a way to tunnel my VNC connection over ssh. This is eminently doable using a variety of software, but in order to be worth the effort, I need something that will not only make the ssh tunnel, but keep it alive.
Enter MyEnTunnel, which stands for My Encrypted Tunnel. This stay resident utility will regularly check the ssh tunnel to make sure it's still working and, if not, attempt to connect to the ssh server. It uses the plink.exe executable which comes w/ PuTTy, but is also bundled with MyEnTunnel. Plink.exe is sort of a version of PuTTY that can be run from the command-line, instead of requiring a graphical interface.
Using MyEnTunnel is quite easy. After downloading it and installing it, one finds an interface where host, username, password, and port mappings (in my case 5900:localhost:5902) can be entered. MyEnTunnel attempts to make the connection and if it succeeds I can then point VNC to localhost:5900 and that connection is tunneled over my ssh connection to my Linux server's port 5902. I've also set up MyEnTunnel so it starts on Windows start. The result is that I can now use VNC like I always have -- just click on it and it's ready to go, PLUS I have the added security that I am now getting an encrypted connection to my server.
I'm quite sure MyEnTunnel can be used for other purposes, too -- there are other configuration options that I have not looked at closely.
I am making this post in part because the author of MyEnTunnel has written that he/she would prefer word of mouth advertising to donations, so if you find MyEnTunnel interesting/useful, I encourage you to let others know.
I have become reliant on running a VNC server on my linux machine. Doing so allows me to run a VNC client to an X session. When network problems inevitably lead to a dropped connection, I just reconnect and all of my work is happily where I left it, in the X session on the server, rather than lost.
In tightening security, however, our institution now frowns on leaving open any ports on a server that aren't strictly necessary, including the VNC ports (5900-5909).
Now, therefore, I need a way to tunnel my VNC connection over ssh. This is eminently doable using a variety of software, but in order to be worth the effort, I need something that will not only make the ssh tunnel, but keep it alive.
Enter MyEnTunnel, which stands for My Encrypted Tunnel. This stay resident utility will regularly check the ssh tunnel to make sure it's still working and, if not, attempt to connect to the ssh server. It uses the plink.exe executable which comes w/ PuTTy, but is also bundled with MyEnTunnel. Plink.exe is sort of a version of PuTTY that can be run from the command-line, instead of requiring a graphical interface.
Using MyEnTunnel is quite easy. After downloading it and installing it, one finds an interface where host, username, password, and port mappings (in my case 5900:localhost:5902) can be entered. MyEnTunnel attempts to make the connection and if it succeeds I can then point VNC to localhost:5900 and that connection is tunneled over my ssh connection to my Linux server's port 5902. I've also set up MyEnTunnel so it starts on Windows start. The result is that I can now use VNC like I always have -- just click on it and it's ready to go, PLUS I have the added security that I am now getting an encrypted connection to my server.
I'm quite sure MyEnTunnel can be used for other purposes, too -- there are other configuration options that I have not looked at closely.
I am making this post in part because the author of MyEnTunnel has written that he/she would prefer word of mouth advertising to donations, so if you find MyEnTunnel interesting/useful, I encourage you to let others know.