Is it possible to execute an arbitrary command on windows from linux?

i've tried rpcclient but this seems to be limited to a set of calls.

all I want to do is call the windows ntbackup command.

Without launching your windows installation inside a virtualisation layer, I'd say this is not possible. This page might interest you. You could also look at wine for running Windows programs from inside Linux, but programs run through won't affect any Windows install you have.

You're not very clear as to what you're trying to achieve.
Is this about a dual-boot machine? Or do you want to get a
second, networked windows-box to do stuff?

And what does ntbackup do?


Cheers,
Tink

There are two seperate machines, connected by a LAN.

From the Linux machine, I want to execute a program on the Windows machine.

The program is a DOS executable. It could be "dir" "ntbackup" or anything else.

OK ... this may be difficult to say the least. I'd suggest
trying (not that I ever have) getting the rpclient tool to
run under wine and/or cross-over office. If that doesn't work
try a VM (Qemu, vmplayer, ...) with windows in it.

And there's a project http://www.samba-tng.org/ of which I don't
know how well it works, but it hasn't been updated in a year.
It does mention RPCs, so it just may do what you're asking.

And since I don't know whether you want to do this on a
regular basis (or ad-hoc): did you consider the windows scheduler
for the ntbackup?

[edit]
I just realised that the *normal* samba also comes with an
rpcclient - I just don't have anything to test it against :}
[/edit]


Cheers,
Tink

yea, thx - i did know - it's limited. if i find a solution i'll post it.

Not quite what you are thinking of, but another possibility is to install a VNC client on the Windows machine. You could then access the Windows machine via a browser on your Linux box, controlling it as if you were sitting in front of the Windows machine.

Another possibility would be to install an ssh server on the Windows machine, for example via cygwin. I'm kind of surprised that there isn't a Windows remote desktop client available under Linux, if such a program existed that would be another way of doing what you want.

I'm curious - what are the limitations?

And would you consider testing samba-ng?


Cheers,
Tink

I'm trying to avoid installing software on the windows machines.