LFCS Part 43: Accessing Linux from Windows with MobaXterm

Welcome back to the LFCS Certification - Phase 1 series! In our previous post (Part 42), we explored SSH and remote server access from the Linux command line. Now we're going to learn about MobaXterm—a powerful, feature-rich SSH client designed specifically for Windows users who need to manage Linux servers.

If you're working on Windows and need to access Linux servers, MobaXterm is one of the best tools available. It combines an SSH client, X11 server, tabbed terminal interface, built-in SFTP browser, and many other tools in one convenient package—making remote Linux administration from Windows seamless and efficient.

What is MobaXterm?

MobaXterm is an enhanced terminal application for Windows that provides all the essential remote computing tools in one portable executable. It was developed by Mobatek and is available in both free (Home Edition) and paid (Professional Edition) versions.

Key Features of MobaXterm

MobaXterm stands out from other Windows SSH clients with these features:

1. All-in-One Application: SSH, RDP, VNC, X11, and more in one program
2. Built-in X11 Server: Run Linux GUI applications on Windows
3. Tabbed Interface: Multiple sessions in one window
4. Integrated SFTP Browser: Side-by-side file transfer while using the terminal
5. Session Management: Save and organize connection profiles
6. SSH Tunneling: Port forwarding and proxy support
7. Split Terminals: View multiple sessions simultaneously
8. Unix Tools: Over 1,000 Unix commands available on Windows
9. Macros and Automation: Record and replay command sequences
10. Network Tools: Built-in traceroute, ping, port scan, and more

Why MobaXterm Matters for System Administrators

As a system administrator working from Windows, MobaXterm provides:

Unified workspace: All your remote connections in one application

MobaXterm → [SSH] [RDP] [VNC] [FTP] [Serial] all accessible via tabs

Visual file management: Drag-and-drop file transfers between Windows and Linux

Windows ←→ SFTP Browser ←→ Linux Server

Enhanced productivity: Split screen, session recording, command history

Terminal 1 | Terminal 2
    +      |     +
  SFTP     | Local Unix Tools

No separate X11 server needed: Run Linux GUI applications directly

ssh user@server
export DISPLAY=localhost:10.0
firefox &  # Opens on Windows!

MobaXterm is free for personal use and widely used in enterprise environments, making it an essential tool for Windows-based Linux administrators.

Downloading and Installing MobaXterm

MobaXterm is available in two editions:

Home Edition vs Professional Edition

Home Edition (Free):

• Up to 12 saved sessions (expandable with plugin)
• 4 SSH tunnels
• 2 macros
• Fully functional for most users

Professional Edition (Paid):

• Unlimited sessions
• Unlimited SSH tunnels
• Unlimited macros
• Advanced features (automation, customization)
• Commercial use license

For LFCS preparation and most personal use, the Home Edition is sufficient.

Downloading MobaXterm

Step 1: Visit the official website

https://mobaxterm.mobatek.net/

Step 2: Click "Download" in the top menu

Step 3: Choose the edition:

• Home Edition → Free Download
• Professional Edition → Purchase

Step 4: Choose the installer type:

• Installer Edition: Traditional Windows installer (recommended)
• Portable Edition: No installation required, runs from a folder

Download size: Approximately 25-30 MB

Installation Steps

For Installer Edition:

1. Run the downloaded installer (MobaXterm_Installer_v23.x.exe)

2. User Account Control prompt: Click "Yes" to allow

3. Welcome screen: Click "Next"

4. License Agreement: Read and click "I Agree"

5. Choose destination folder:

   • Default: C:\Program Files (x86)\Mobatek\MobaXterm
   • Or choose a custom location
   • Click "Next"

6. Select Start Menu folder: Accept default or customize, click "Install"

7. Installation progress: Wait for files to be copied

8. Completion: Check "Run MobaXterm" and click "Finish"

For Portable Edition:

1. Extract the ZIP file to a folder of your choice

2. Run MobaXterm_Personal_23.x.exe directly from the folder

3. No installation required - you can run it from a USB drive

First Launch

When you launch MobaXterm for the first time:

Initial configuration wizard may appear:

• Choose your preferences (or accept defaults)
• Select theme (dark or light)
• Configure terminal settings

Main window opens showing:

• Left sidebar: Sessions and bookmarks
• Center: Terminal workspace
• Bottom: Local terminal (Windows with Unix commands)

MobaXterm Interface Overview

Understanding the interface helps you navigate efficiently.

Main Interface Components

1. Menu Bar (Top):

• Sessions: Manage saved sessions
• Tools: Network tools, text editor, split modes
• Settings: Configuration options
• Plugins: Additional functionality
• Macros: Automation and scripting
• Help: Documentation and support

2. Session Sidebar (Left):

• User sessions: Your saved SSH connections
• Bookmarks: Quick access to frequently used directories
• Recent sessions: Previously used connections
• Create new session button (blue plus icon)

3. Main Workspace (Center):

• Tabbed terminals: Multiple sessions in tabs
• Terminal area: Where you interact with remote servers
• SFTP browser: Appears when connected via SSH (optional)

4. Bottom Section:

• Local terminal: Windows PowerShell with Unix commands
• Status bar: Connection information, timing, session details

Interface Customization

Changing the theme:

Settings → Configuration → Terminal → Terminal theme
Choose from: Default, Dark, Light, Custom

Adjusting font size:

Settings → Configuration → Terminal → Font settings
Increase/decrease size for better readability

Enabling/Disabling SFTP:

Settings → Configuration → SSH → SSH browser
Check/uncheck "Show SFTP browser"

Creating Your First SSH Session

Let's connect to a Linux server using MobaXterm.

Step-by-Step: Creating a New SSH Session

Step 1: Open the Session Dialog

Click the "Session" button (blue icon) in the top-left corner of the main window.

Or use the menu: Sessions → New session

Step 2: Choose Session Type

The "Session settings" dialog opens. You'll see various connection types:

• SSH ← Select this one
• RDP (Remote Desktop)
• VNC
• FTP
• Serial
• And many more...

Step 3: Enter SSH Connection Details

In the SSH tab, fill in:

Remote host:

192.168.1.100

Or a hostname:

server.example.com

Specify username: Check this box and enter:

john

Port: (Usually default)

22

Advanced SSH settings (Optional):

• SSH-browser type: SFTP (default)
• Compression: Enable for slower connections
• X11-Forwarding: Enable to run GUI applications

Step 4: (Optional) Configure Authentication

Bookmark settings tab:

• Session name: Give it a friendly name like "Production Web Server"
• Create a desktop shortcut: Optionally create a shortcut

Network settings tab:

• SSH keepalive: Keeps connection alive (recommended)
• SSH-browser: Choose SFTP or SCP

Advanced SSH settings tab:

• Private key: Browse to your SSH key file if using key authentication
• Use internal SSH agent: For managing multiple keys

Step 5: Save and Connect

Click "OK" to save the session and connect immediately.

Or click "Save" without connecting.

First Connection

Host Key Verification:

On first connection, you'll see:

The server's host key is not cached in the registry.
You have no guarantee that the server is the computer you think it is.

The server's ssh-ed25519 key fingerprint is:
ssh-ed25519 255 xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx

If you trust this host, hit Yes to add the key to MobaXterm's cache.

Click "Yes" to accept and cache the key.

Password Authentication:

If not using SSH keys, you'll be prompted:

john@192.168.1.100's password:

Enter your password.

Option: Check "Save password (not recommended)" if you want MobaXterm to remember it.

Connected:

You should now see:

• Terminal on the right: Command prompt on the remote server
• SFTP browser on the left: File system of the remote server

john@server:~$

Using the Built-in SFTP Browser

One of MobaXterm's best features is the integrated SFTP browser that appears alongside your terminal.

SFTP Browser Interface

Left panel (after SSH connection):

• Shows the remote Linux filesystem
• Similar to Windows Explorer
• Navigate by clicking folders

Features:

• Current path: Shows at top (e.g., /home/john/)
• Go up: Parent directory button
• Refresh: Reload current directory
• Home: Jump to home directory
• Root: Jump to root directory

Navigating the Remote Filesystem

Click folders to navigate:

/home/john/ → Click on "Documents" → /home/john/Documents/

Jump to specific path:

• Type path in the location bar at the top
• Press Enter

Quick access buttons:

• Home icon: Go to /home/username/
• Root icon: Go to /
• Up arrow: Go to parent directory

Transferring Files

Download files from Linux to Windows:

Method 1: Drag and drop

• Drag file from SFTP browser to Windows Explorer

Method 2: Right-click

• Right-click file → Download
• Choose destination on Windows

Upload files from Windows to Linux:

Method 1: Drag and drop

• Drag file from Windows Explorer to SFTP browser

Method 2: Right-click in SFTP browser

• Right-click in empty space → Upload to current folder
• Select file from Windows

Method 3: Upload button

• Click the upload button in SFTP browser toolbar
• Browse and select file

File Operations in SFTP Browser

Create new folder:

• Right-click in SFTP browser → New folder
• Enter folder name

Delete files:

• Right-click file → Delete
• Confirm deletion

Rename files:

• Right-click file → Rename
• Enter new name

Edit files directly:

• Right-click file → Open with default text editor
• MobaXterm's built-in editor opens
• Make changes and save
• File is automatically uploaded back to the server

View file permissions:

• File permissions shown in SFTP browser
• Right-click → Properties to see detailed permissions

Transfer Progress

When transferring files:

• Progress bar appears at bottom
• Speed and time remaining displayed
• Cancel button to abort transfer

Managing Saved Sessions

MobaXterm's session management makes it easy to organize and access your servers.

Viewing Saved Sessions

Session sidebar (left panel):

• All saved sessions listed
• Organized in a tree structure
• Can create folders for organization

Connecting to a Saved Session

Method 1: Double-click the session name in the sidebar

Method 2: Right-click → Start session

Method 3: Create a desktop shortcut when saving the session

Organizing Sessions with Folders

Create a folder:

1. Right-click in session sidebar → New folder
2. Name it (e.g., "Production Servers", "Development", "Databases")

Move sessions into folders:

1. Drag and drop sessions into folders

Example organization:

📁 Production Servers
  ├─ Web Server 1
  ├─ Web Server 2
  └─ Database Server
📁 Development
  ├─ Dev Server
  └─ Test Server
📁 Personal Projects
  └─ Home Lab

Editing Saved Sessions

Right-click session → Edit session

You can modify:

• Hostname or IP address
• Username
• Port
• Session name
• SSH key path
• Advanced settings

Save changes and the updated session is ready to use.

Exporting and Importing Sessions

Export sessions (backup or share):

1. Settings → Configuration → General → Sessions
2. Click Export sessions
3. Save the .moba file

Import sessions (restore or from another computer):

1. Settings → Configuration → General → Sessions
2. Click Import sessions
3. Select the .moba file

This is useful when setting up MobaXterm on a new computer.

Terminal Features

MobaXterm's terminal offers many enhancements over basic SSH clients.

Tabbed Terminal Interface

Multiple sessions in tabs:

• Each SSH connection opens in a new tab
• Switch between tabs with Ctrl+Tab or by clicking
• Close tabs with Ctrl+W or the X button

Tab management:

• Rename tab: Right-click tab → Rename
• Duplicate session: Right-click tab → Duplicate session
• Close all but this: Right-click tab → Close all but this

Split Screen Mode

Work with multiple sessions side-by-side.

Horizontal split:

Menu: View → Split horizontally
Or: Tools → MobaTextEditor → Split modes

Vertical split:

Menu: View → Split vertically

Result:

┌─────────────┬─────────────┐
│  Session 1  │  Session 2  │
│  Terminal   │  Terminal   │
└─────────────┴─────────────┘

Use case: Monitor logs on one server while executing commands on another.

Copy and Paste

Copy from terminal:

• Select text with mouse (automatically copies to clipboard)
• Or: Right-click → Copy
• Or: Ctrl+Shift+C

Paste to terminal:

• Right-click → Paste
• Or: Ctrl+Shift+V
• Or: Middle mouse button (Linux style)

Copy from SFTP browser:

• Select file and copy path

Search in Terminal

Find text in terminal output:

1. Press Ctrl+F
2. Enter search term
3. Press Enter to find next occurrence

Useful for searching through command output or logs.

Command History

Scroll through terminal history:

• Use scrollbar on right side
• Or: Shift+Page Up / Shift+Page Down

Clear terminal screen:

• Type clear command
• Or: Ctrl+L

Terminal Settings

Configure terminal behavior:

Settings → Configuration → Terminal

Options:

• Colors: Choose theme or customize
• Font: Change font family and size
• Cursor: Block, underline, or line
• Scrollback: Number of lines to keep in history (default: 10,000)
• Word selection: Customize what characters define a "word"

Advanced Features

MobaXterm offers powerful features for advanced users.

SSH Tunneling and Port Forwarding

Create an SSH tunnel:

1. Tunneling → New SSH tunnel
2. Choose tunnel type:
   • Local port forwarding: Access remote service through local port
   • Remote port forwarding: Expose local service to remote server
   • Dynamic port forwarding: SOCKS proxy

Example - Local port forwarding:

Local port: 8080
Remote server: localhost
Remote port: 80
SSH server: webserver.example.com
SSH login: john

Result: Access http://localhost:8080 on Windows to reach port 80 on the remote server.

X11 Forwarding for GUI Applications

MobaXterm includes a built-in X11 server, allowing you to run Linux GUI applications.

Enable X11 forwarding (usually enabled by default):

• When creating SSH session
• Check "X11-Forwarding" in Advanced SSH settings

Run a GUI application:

ssh john@server
firefox &

The Firefox window appears on your Windows desktop!

Common GUI applications to try:

• nautilus - File manager
• gedit - Text editor
• xclock - Simple clock (for testing)
• gitk - Git repository viewer

Session Recording

Record terminal sessions for documentation or training:

1. Start recording: Tools → Start recording
2. Perform your tasks in the terminal
3. Stop recording: Tools → Stop recording
4. Save the recording file

Replay recording:

• Tools → Play recording
• Choose the saved file
• Watch the session replay

Macros for Automation

Record a macro (sequence of commands):

1. Macros → Create a new macro
2. Give it a name
3. Start recording
4. Type commands in the terminal
5. Stop recording

Run the macro:

• Macros → Select your macro → Run

Use case: Automate repetitive tasks like server health checks.

Multi-Execution

Execute commands on multiple servers simultaneously:

1. Open multiple SSH sessions in tabs
2. Tools → Multi-execution mode
3. Type commands - they execute on all open sessions

Use case: Update configurations or check status across all servers at once.

Built-in Tools

MobaXterm includes many network and system tools:

Network tools:

Tools → Network tools → Ping
Tools → Network tools → Traceroute
Tools → Network tools → Port scanner
Tools → Network tools → Wake on LAN

Text editor:

Tools → MobaTextEditor

Built-in servers:

Tools → MobaSSHTunnel
Tools → MobaVNC

Best Practices

1. Organize Sessions in Folders

Create a logical folder structure for your servers:

📁 Work
  ├─ Production
  ├─ Staging
  └─ Development
📁 Personal
  ├─ Home Lab
  └─ VPS Servers

2. Use SSH Key Authentication

Instead of saving passwords:

1. Generate SSH keys on your Windows machine using MobaXterm's local terminal
2. Copy the public key to your Linux servers
3. Configure sessions to use the private key

In MobaXterm:

Settings → Configuration → SSH → Use internal SSH agent

3. Enable SSH Keepalive

Prevent connections from timing out:

Session settings → Network settings → SSH keepalive: Check

4. Backup Your Sessions

Regularly export your sessions:

Settings → Configuration → General → Sessions → Export sessions

Save the .moba file to a safe location.

5. Use Session Shortcuts

Create desktop shortcuts for frequently accessed servers:

• When creating/editing session
• Check "Create a desktop shortcut"

6. Customize Color Schemes

Make terminals easier on your eyes:

Settings → Configuration → Terminal → Terminal theme
Choose dark theme for low-light environments

7. Learn Keyboard Shortcuts

Speed up your workflow:

• Ctrl+Shift+T: New tab with same session
• Ctrl+Tab: Switch between tabs
• Ctrl+Shift+C: Copy
• Ctrl+Shift+V: Paste
• Ctrl+F: Find in terminal

8. Use the Built-in Text Editor

Edit files directly from SFTP browser:

• Right-click file → Open with default text editor
• Changes are saved back to the server automatically

9. Disable Password Saving

For security, avoid saving passwords:

• Uncheck "Save password" when prompted
• Use SSH keys instead

10. Keep MobaXterm Updated

Check for updates regularly:

Help → Check for updates

Updates include bug fixes, security patches, and new features.

Practice Labs

Time to practice using MobaXterm! These labs assume you have a Linux server to connect to (can be a local VM or remote server).

Lab 1: Download and Install MobaXterm

Task: Download MobaXterm Home Edition and install it on your Windows machine.

Lab 2: Explore the Interface

Task: Identify the main components of the MobaXterm interface: session sidebar, workspace, local terminal, and menu bar.

Lab 3: Create a New SSH Session

Task: Create a new SSH session to connect to a Linux server (use localhost if testing on WSL or a VM).

Lab 4: Navigate the SFTP Browser

Task: Use the SFTP browser to navigate to your home directory, then to /var/log/, and view the files in each location.

Lab 5: Download a File from Linux to Windows

Task: Create a test file on the Linux server using the terminal, then download it to your Windows desktop using the SFTP browser.

echo "This is a test file from Linux" > test-download.txt
ls -l test-download.txt

Lab 6: Upload a File from Windows to Linux

Task: Create a text file on your Windows desktop, then upload it to your Linux home directory using MobaXterm.

ls -l test-upload.txt
cat test-upload.txt

This is a test file from Windows

Lab 7: Save and Edit a Session

Task: Save your SSH session with a friendly name, then edit it to change the session name.

Lab 8: Create Session Folders for Organization

Task: Create two folders in the session sidebar named "Production" and "Development", then move your saved session into the Development folder.

📁 User sessions
  ├─ 📁 Production (empty)
  └─ 📁 Development
      └─ Test Server - Updated

Lab 9: Use Terminal Copy and Paste

Task: Run a command that produces output, copy some of the output, and paste it into a new file.

ls -la /etc | head -10

nano copied-output.txt

cat copied-output.txt

Lab 10: Open Multiple Sessions in Tabs

Task: Open a second SSH session in a new tab while keeping your first session running.

[Tab 1: Test Server] [Tab 2: Test Server]

Lab 11: Search Terminal Output

Task: Run a command with lots of output, then use the search feature to find specific text.

dmesg

Lab 12: Adjust Terminal Font Size

Task: Increase the terminal font size to make text easier to read.

Lab 13: Create a File from SFTP Browser

Task: Create a new folder in your Linux home directory using the SFTP browser, then create a text file in that folder.

cd test-folder
echo "New file content" > newfile.txt

Lab 14: Edit a Remote File Directly

Task: Use MobaXterm's built-in editor to edit a file on the remote server directly from the SFTP browser.

echo "Original content" > edit-test.txt

cat edit-test.txt

Original content
This line was added from MobaXterm editor

Lab 15: Split Terminal View

Task: Split your terminal view to see two sessions side-by-side.

┌──────────┬──────────┐
│Session 1 │Session 2 │
│          │          │
└──────────┴──────────┘

┌──────────────────┐
│    Session 1     │
├──────────────────┤
│    Session 2     │
└──────────────────┘

Lab 16: Clear Terminal Screen

Task: Run several commands to fill the terminal, then clear the screen.

ls -la
cat /etc/passwd
ps aux

clear

Ctrl+L

reset

Lab 17: View Session Properties

Task: Check the connection details and session properties of your current SSH connection.

Lab 18: Enable X11 Forwarding

Task: Edit your SSH session to enable X11 forwarding, then test it by running a simple GUI application.

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install x11-apps

# RHEL/CentOS
sudo yum install xorg-x11-apps

xclock &

Lab 19: Export and Import Sessions

Task: Export your saved sessions to a file, then simulate importing them by viewing the export file.

Lab 20: Create a Desktop Shortcut

Task: Create a desktop shortcut for your SSH session so you can connect with one click.

Common Pitfalls

1. SFTP Browser Not Appearing

Symptom: Connected via SSH but no file browser on the left.

Fix:

Settings → Configuration → SSH → SSH browser type
Select: SFTP protocol
Check: "Show SSH browser automatically"

2. Session Limit Reached (Home Edition)

Symptom: "Maximum sessions reached" error.

Fix options:

• Delete unused sessions
• Use folders to organize (doesn't count against limit in some versions)
• Upgrade to Professional Edition
• Use the sessions plugin to increase limit

3. Password Prompt Every Time

Symptom: MobaXterm asks for password on every connection.

Fix:

• Use SSH key authentication instead
• Or: Check "Save password" (less secure)
• Configure SSH agent properly

4. X11 Applications Won't Start

Symptom: GUI apps fail to launch with "Cannot open display" error.

Fix:

• Enable X11-Forwarding in session settings
• Check that MobaXterm's X server is running (usually automatic)
• Verify DISPLAY variable: echo $DISPLAY should show something like localhost:10.0

5. Copy/Paste Not Working

Symptom: Can't paste into terminal.

Fix:

• Use Ctrl+Shift+V instead of Ctrl+V
• Or: Right-click to paste
• Check: Settings → Configuration → Terminal → Terminal settings → Enable paste

6. Connection Timeout

Symptom: Session disconnects after period of inactivity.

Fix:

Edit session → Network settings
Check: "SSH keepalive"

7. Wrong Permissions on Uploaded Files

Symptom: Files uploaded via SFTP have incorrect permissions.

Fix:

• Set permissions manually after upload: chmod 644 filename
• Or set umask on the server

MobaXterm vs Other Windows SSH Clients

| Feature | MobaXterm | PuTTY | Windows Terminal | SecureCRT | |---------|-----------|-------|------------------|-----------| | SFTP Browser | ✅ Built-in | ❌ (need WinSCP) | ❌ | ✅ | | X11 Server | ✅ Built-in | ❌ (need Xming) | ❌ | ✅ | | Tabbed Interface | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | | Split Screens | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | | Session Manager | ✅ Excellent | ❌ Basic | ❌ | ✅ | | Cost | ✅ Free | ✅ Free | ✅ Free | ❌ Paid | | Portable | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | | Built-in Tools | ✅ Many | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Some |

MobaXterm advantages: All-in-one solution with SFTP, X11, and excellent session management in a free package.

Key Takeaways

1. MobaXterm is an all-in-one SSH client for Windows with built-in SFTP, X11, and more
2. Free Home Edition is sufficient for most personal use and LFCS preparation
3. Session sidebar organizes all your saved connections with folder support
4. Built-in SFTP browser appears alongside terminal for easy file transfers
5. Drag-and-drop files between Windows and Linux seamlessly
6. Tabbed interface allows multiple sessions in one window
7. Split screens let you view multiple terminals simultaneously
8. X11 forwarding runs Linux GUI applications on Windows without extra software
9. Export/import sessions for backup and sharing across computers
10. Desktop shortcuts provide one-click access to frequently used servers

What's Next?

You've mastered MobaXterm for remote Linux access from Windows! In the next post, we'll explore File Transfer with WinSCP—a dedicated SFTP/SCP client for Windows that specializes in graphical file management with features like synchronization, drag-and-drop, and integrated text editing.

Coming up:

• Installing and configuring WinSCP
• Commander vs Explorer interface modes
• Advanced file transfer features
• Directory synchronization
• Editing remote files
• WinSCP scripting and automation

Keep practicing with MobaXterm, and see you in the next post!

Previous Post: LFCS Part 42: Understanding SSH and Remote Server Access

Next Post: LFCS Part 44: File Transfer with WinSCP (Coming Soon)