LogMeIn for Linux - Remote Access from Your Linux PC
LogMeIn Access on Linux Systems
When it comes to remote desktop solutions, LogMeIn consistently ranks among the top choices. Once installed, this software facilitates remote access to another computer, functioning independently of the connected computer’s router configuration.
Access to computers configured with the service is achievable through any standard web browser. While operation is possible with or without a browser plugin, performance is significantly enhanced with plugin installation. The program was initially reviewed by Aibek in 2006, and has undergone substantial improvements since then.
The software is highly valued and frequently utilized for professional tasks. However, a specific challenge arose due to the use of Jolicloud on a netbook, preventing the installation of the official LogMeIn browser plugin.
Consequently, remote connections experienced considerable slowness. This issue was addressed with the discovery of LogMeIn for Linux.
An Experimental Browser Plugin
A browser plugin for LogMeIn is available, albeit in an experimental phase. LogMeIn explicitly advises against deploying this plugin in production environments, yet it remains a worthwhile exploration. Furthermore, it provides a functional Linux LogMeIn client when needed.
Installation Process
The LogMeIn Linux plugin is not currently included in standard distribution repositories due to its recent development. A download is available on LogMeIn’s “labs” page. [Broken URL Removed] The available downloads encompass a DEB package for Ubuntu-based distributions like Jolicloud, an RPM package for SUSE and Red-Hat systems including Fedora, and a TAR.GZ package for manual installation preferences.
Installation on user-friendly distributions such as Ubuntu, Fedora, and Jolicloud is straightforward: download the package, double-click to initiate the process, and follow the on-screen prompts. A browser restart completes the setup, enabling LogMeIn functionality.
For distributions with more complex installation procedures, users are presumed capable of navigating the process independently. Extraction of the TAR.GZ file to the browser plugins directory – “~/.mozilla/plugins/” – is required.
Plugin compatibility is limited to browsers supporting Mozilla plugins, such as Firefox.
Utilizing the Plugin
This plugin delivers the intended LogMeIn experience. Access LogMeIn.com on your Linux machine and log in as usual. You will then be able to connect to all computers previously configured with LogMeIn.
A noticeable speed improvement will be immediately apparent upon connection. The full LogMeIn toolset, often sluggish in the flash version without a plugin, becomes readily accessible.
The plugin provides access to a comprehensive suite of LogMeIn tools.
Pre-Release Considerations
As previously mentioned, this plugin is currently in a pre-release state. LogMeIn offers no guarantees regarding its functionality, and its use is discouraged in critical situations where success is paramount.
Currently, the plugin only allows connections *to* Windows and Mac computers *from* a Linux machine. Connecting *to* a Linux machine still requires alternative methods such as DynDNS, VNC, or SSH. Recent articles have detailed using DynDNS for remote access and connecting via VNC.
Conclusion
This plugin is a significant improvement, substantially increasing the speed of LogMeIn connections from a Linux-based netbook. Continued development of this plugin is hoped for, as it would greatly benefit Linux users assisting friends and colleagues using Windows and macOS.
We encourage you to test the plugin and share your experiences with us.
