NoMachine Linux: Complete Guide to Remote Desktop Access and Configuration

Linux • Remote Access • System Administration

August 26, 2025

NoMachine is a powerful remote desktop solution that enables secure access to Linux systems from anywhere in the world. Unlike traditional VNC solutions, NoMachine provides superior performance, better compression, and enhanced security features that make it ideal for both personal and enterprise use.

What is NoMachine?

NoMachine is a cross-platform remote desktop software that allows users to access their Linux desktop environments from remote locations. It uses the NX protocol, which provides excellent performance even over slow network connections through advanced compression algorithms and caching techniques.

Key Features of NoMachine

  • High Performance: Superior compression and caching for smooth remote sessions
  • Cross-Platform: Available for Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
  • Security: Built-in encryption and authentication mechanisms
  • Multi-User Support: Multiple simultaneous connections
  • Session Recording: Built-in session recording capabilities
  • File Transfer: Easy drag-and-drop file sharing

System Requirements

Before installing NoMachine, ensure your Linux system meets the following requirements:

Minimum Requirements

  • OS: Any modern Linux distribution (Ubuntu, CentOS, Fedora, SUSE, etc.)
  • RAM: 512 MB (2 GB recommended)
  • Storage: 200 MB free disk space
  • Network: TCP/IP connection
  • Graphics: X11 server running

Supported Linux Distributions

Ubuntu 18.04 LTS and newer
CentOS 7 and newer
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7+
Fedora 30+
SUSE Linux Enterprise 12+
Debian 9+
Arch Linux
Mint 19+

Installing NoMachine on Linux

Method 1: Using Official Packages (Recommended)

Download the appropriate package from NoMachine’s official website based on your architecture:

For Debian/Ubuntu Systems (64-bit)

# Download the package
wget https://download.nomachine.com/download/8.9/Linux/nomachine_8.9.1_1_amd64.deb

# Install the package
sudo dpkg -i nomachine_8.9.1_1_amd64.deb

# Fix any dependency issues
sudo apt-get install -f

For Red Hat/CentOS/Fedora Systems (64-bit)

# Download the package
wget https://download.nomachine.com/download/8.9/Linux/nomachine_8.9.1_1_x86_64.rpm

# Install the package
sudo rpm -ivh nomachine_8.9.1_1_x86_64.rpm

# Or use dnf on newer systems
sudo dnf install nomachine_8.9.1_1_x86_64.rpm

Method 2: Using Package Managers

Some distributions include NoMachine in their repositories:

# Ubuntu/Debian (from universe repository)
sudo apt update
sudo apt install nomachine

# Arch Linux (from AUR)
yay -S nomachine

# Fedora (from RPM Fusion)
sudo dnf install nomachine

Initial Configuration

Starting NoMachine Service

After installation, start and enable the NoMachine service:

# Start the service
sudo systemctl start nxserver

# Enable automatic startup
sudo systemctl enable nxserver

# Check service status
sudo systemctl status nxserver

Expected output:

● nxserver.service - NoMachine NX Server
   Loaded: loaded (/etc/systemd/system/nxserver.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
   Active: active (running) since Tue 2025-08-26 04:26:00 IST; 1min ago
 Main PID: 1234 (nxserver)
    Tasks: 12 (limit: 4915)
   Memory: 45.2M
   CGroup: /system.slice/nxserver.service
           └─1234 /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --daemon

Basic Server Configuration

Configure basic server settings using the command line:

# Set server name
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --set "ServerName=MyLinuxServer"

# Enable file transfer
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --set "EnableFileTransfer=1"

# Set maximum number of sessions
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --set "SessionLimit=10"

# Restart server to apply changes
sudo systemctl restart nxserver

User Management

Creating NoMachine Users

NoMachine can use system users or create dedicated NoMachine users:

Using Existing System Users

# Enable a system user for NoMachine
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --useradd myuser

# Set password for NoMachine user
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --passwd myuser

Creating Dedicated NoMachine Users

# Create a new system user first
sudo useradd -m -s /bin/bash nomachine_user

# Set system password
sudo passwd nomachine_user

# Add to NoMachine
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --useradd nomachine_user

# Set NoMachine password
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --passwd nomachine_user

Managing User Permissions

# List all NoMachine users
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --userlist

# Remove a user from NoMachine
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --userdel username

# Enable/disable a user
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --userenable username
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --userdisable username

Client Installation and Connection

Installing NoMachine Client

Download and install the NoMachine client on your local machine:

# For Ubuntu/Debian client
wget https://download.nomachine.com/download/8.9/Linux/nomachine_8.9.1_1_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i nomachine_8.9.1_1_amd64.deb

Creating a Connection

To connect to your NoMachine server:

  1. Launch the NoMachine client application
  2. Click “New” to create a new connection
  3. Enter the server details:
Protocol: NX
Host: your-server-ip or hostname
Port: 4000 (default)
Authentication: Password

Connection Configuration Options

# Connection settings example
Host: 192.168.1.100
Port: 4000
Quality: High
Display: Physical desktop
Keyboard: Client keyboard

Advanced Configuration

Security Configuration

Changing Default Port

# Edit the server configuration
sudo nano /usr/NX/etc/server.cfg

# Change the port
NXPort=4001

# Restart the service
sudo systemctl restart nxserver

Enabling SSL Encryption

# Generate SSL certificate
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --keygen

# Enable SSL
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --set "EnableSSL=1"

# Restart server
sudo systemctl restart nxserver

Performance Optimization

Network Optimization

# Configure compression level (1-9, 9 = maximum)
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --set "CompressionLevel=6"

# Enable/disable image compression
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --set "EnableJPEGCompression=1"

# Set JPEG quality (0-100)
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --set "JPEGQuality=80"

Resource Management

# Limit CPU usage per session
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --set "SessionCPULimit=80"

# Set memory limits
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --set "SessionMemoryLimit=512MB"

# Configure idle timeout (in seconds)
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --set "IdleTimeout=3600"

Firewall Configuration

Configure your firewall to allow NoMachine connections:

UFW (Ubuntu Firewall)

# Allow NoMachine port
sudo ufw allow 4000/tcp

# Allow specific IP range
sudo ufw allow from 192.168.1.0/24 to any port 4000

# Check status
sudo ufw status

Firewalld (CentOS/RHEL)

# Add service to firewall
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=nx

# Or add port directly
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=4000/tcp

# Reload firewall
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

# Check configuration
sudo firewall-cmd --list-all

IPTables

# Allow incoming connections on port 4000
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 4000 -j ACCEPT

# Save rules (Ubuntu/Debian)
sudo iptables-save > /etc/iptables/rules.v4

Session Management

Monitoring Active Sessions

# List all active sessions
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --list

# Detailed session information
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --status

Example output:

NX> 200 Service status:
NX> 710 Session list:
Display :1000: session running (PID: 2345) for user: john on :1000.0
Display :1001: session running (PID: 2346) for user: jane on :1001.0
NX> 999 Bye

Session Control Commands

# Terminate a specific session
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --terminate session_id

# Suspend a session
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --suspend session_id

# Resume a session
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --resume session_id

# Kill all sessions for a user
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --killuser username

File Transfer and Sharing

Enabling File Transfer

# Enable file transfer globally
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --set "EnableFileTransfer=1"

# Set upload/download paths
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --set "DefaultFileTransferPath=/home/%u/Downloads"

# Restart server
sudo systemctl restart nxserver

Directory Sharing

Configure shared directories accessible to remote users:

# Create shared directory
sudo mkdir -p /opt/nomachine/shared

# Set permissions
sudo chmod 755 /opt/nomachine/shared
sudo chown -R nobody:nogroup /opt/nomachine/shared

# Configure in server settings
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --set "SharedFolders=/opt/nomachine/shared"

Logging and Monitoring

Log File Locations

# Main server logs
/usr/NX/var/log/nxserver.log

# Session logs
/usr/NX/var/log/nxserver/

# Error logs
/usr/NX/var/log/nxerror.log

# Access logs
/usr/NX/var/log/nxaccess.log

Monitoring Commands

# Check server statistics
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --stats

# Monitor real-time logs
sudo tail -f /usr/NX/var/log/nxserver.log

# Check connection history
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --history

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Connection Problems

Issue: Cannot Connect to Server

# Check if service is running
sudo systemctl status nxserver

# Verify port is listening
sudo netstat -tlnp | grep :4000

# Check firewall settings
sudo ufw status
sudo firewall-cmd --list-all

Issue: Authentication Failed

# Reset user password
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --passwd username

# Check user status
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --userlist

# Verify user exists
id username

Performance Issues

Issue: Slow Connection

# Reduce image quality
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --set "JPEGQuality=60"

# Increase compression
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --set "CompressionLevel=9"

# Disable unnecessary features
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --set "EnableMultimedia=0"

Issue: High CPU Usage

# Limit CPU per session
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --set "SessionCPULimit=50"

# Reduce session limit
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --set "SessionLimit=5"

# Monitor resource usage
htop
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --stats

Display Issues

Issue: Black Screen or No Display

# Check X11 server
ps aux | grep X
echo $DISPLAY

# Restart X11 if needed
sudo systemctl restart gdm3  # or lightdm, sddm

# Check NoMachine display configuration
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --show | grep Display

Maintenance and Updates

Regular Maintenance Tasks

# Clear old log files
sudo find /usr/NX/var/log -name "*.log.*" -mtime +30 -delete

# Clean temporary files
sudo rm -rf /tmp/.nx-*

# Backup configuration
sudo cp -r /usr/NX/etc /backup/nomachine-config-$(date +%Y%m%d)

Updating NoMachine

# Download latest version
wget https://download.nomachine.com/download/latest/Linux/nomachine_latest_amd64.deb

# Stop service before update
sudo systemctl stop nxserver

# Install update
sudo dpkg -i nomachine_latest_amd64.deb

# Start service
sudo systemctl start nxserver

# Verify update
/usr/NX/bin/nxserver --version

Security Best Practices

Access Control

  • Use strong passwords: Enforce complex password policies
  • Limit user access: Only grant access to necessary users
  • Network restrictions: Use firewall rules to limit access by IP
  • Regular audits: Monitor access logs regularly

Network Security

# Change default port
sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --serverconfig --set "NXPort=4321"

# Enable fail2ban for NoMachine
sudo nano /etc/fail2ban/jail.local

[nomachine]
enabled = true
port = 4000
filter = nomachine
logpath = /usr/NX/var/log/nxserver.log
maxretry = 3
bantime = 3600

Backup and Recovery

# Create backup script
#!/bin/bash
BACKUP_DIR="/backup/nomachine/$(date +%Y%m%d)"
mkdir -p $BACKUP_DIR

# Backup configuration
cp -r /usr/NX/etc $BACKUP_DIR/
cp -r /usr/NX/var/db $BACKUP_DIR/

# Backup user data
/usr/NX/bin/nxserver --userlist > $BACKUP_DIR/users.txt

echo "Backup completed: $BACKUP_DIR"

Comparison with Other Remote Desktop Solutions

Feature NoMachine VNC RDP SSH X11
Performance Excellent Good Good Poor
Compression Advanced Basic Good None
Security Built-in encryption Optional Good SSH encryption
File Transfer Built-in Limited Yes SCP/SFTP
Multi-platform Yes Yes Windows-focused Limited

Conclusion

NoMachine provides a robust, high-performance solution for Linux remote desktop access. Its superior compression algorithms, built-in security features, and cross-platform compatibility make it an excellent choice for both personal and enterprise environments. By following this comprehensive guide, you can successfully deploy, configure, and maintain a secure NoMachine installation that meets your remote access needs.

Whether you’re managing servers, providing remote support, or accessing your desktop from anywhere, NoMachine’s feature-rich platform ensures a smooth and secure remote desktop experience on Linux systems.

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