If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Install vncserver (as root) in Debian
This package provides a vncserver to which X clients can connect and the server generates a display that can be viewed with a vncviewer.
It contains an X server connector so clients can connect to your local X desktop directly.
Note: This server does not need a display. You need a vncviewer to see something. This viewer may also be on a computer running other operating systems.
#apt-get install vnc4server
Choose your desired window size and color depth, then, as an ordinary user, open a terminal and type:
#vnc4server -geometry 1024×768 -depth 24
This will prompt you to create a password:
You will require a password to access your desktops.
Password:
Verify:
This will save a scrambled password in the file ~/.vnc/passwd.
Example
This is what i got from my debian machine
# vnc4server -geometry 1024×768 -depth 24
You will require a password to access your desktops.
Password:
Verify:
xauth: creating new authority file /root/.Xauthority
New ‘debiantest:1 (root)’ desktop is debiantest:1
Creating default startup script /root/.vnc/xstartup
Starting applications specified in /root/.vnc/xstartup
Log file is /root/.vnc/debiantest:1.log
Once that’s been done you can create a new server by invoking
#vnc4server
This will start a new server and show you the “desktop” it is running upon. This is something that you’ll need to know when connecting to the server.
The server will start and tell you where to access it
Example
This is from my debian desktop
#vnc4server
New ‘debiantest:2 (root)’ desktop is debiantest:2
Starting applications specified in /root/.vnc/xstartup
Log file is /root/.vnc/debiantest:2.log
Connecting to VNC Server
I am using windows xp client to connect to debian server (where vnc server is running) for this you need to download vnc viewer.There are many VNC viewers i am using tight vnc viewer downloaded and install from here
Open the VNC viewer on your remote machine, enter the hostname:screen (use a hostname or IP that your client machine understands).
Enter your password here
your Linux desktop will open in a window with grey background with console you can see the screen as follows
from here if you want to open gnome or kde you need to enter the following
For KDE
#startkde
For GNOME
#gnome-session
I am trying to strat GNOME session and you can see in the below screen
I have started my GNOME session and you can see this in action in the following screen
Network speed and processor power will affect performance, but it’s amazing how many apps will run fine under VNC.you can use productivity applications without any trouble.
To kill the server enter a command similar to this, using the appropriate settings
#vnc4server -kill :2
If you wish to change the way your VNC server runs you’ve got a couple of choices.
You can modify the global configuration by editing the file /etc/vnc.conf copy this file to your home directory and naming it .vncrc will affect just servers you start.
Another option is to adjust the window manager that remote users will recieve.
if you have the GNOME desktop installed for your use you might wish incoming connections to use a more light-weight window manager such as IceWM. To do that you need modify the file ~/.vnc/xstartup.
Installing VNC Client in Debian
#apt-get install xvnc4viewer
Once it’s installed you can connect to a running server by using:
#Xvnc4viewer hostname
If invoked with no arguments you’ll be prompted for the host you wish to connect to, and if necessary a password.
If you are looking alternative to vnc server package you can check x11vnc check here for more information.
You may also be interested in...
October 5th, 2006 at 8:30 pm
The short search link fro Debian (the last “here”) is as simple as that:
http://packages.debian.org/x11vnc
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:42 pm
This works the other way around too. We use VNC on our windows servers - the enterprise version with AD authentication functionality.
I use the windows VNC enterprise viewer on my linux workstation with wine and it works a treat!
November 3rd, 2006 at 10:15 am
>This works the other way around…
Much better performance by enabling RDP on the MS machine and connect with rdesktop (krdc is a gui frontend). Use VNC for desktop sharing in helpdesk situations.
November 3rd, 2006 at 1:48 pm
You may want to have a look at ultravnc (www.ultravnc.com), especially if you also work with windows workstations. It supports AD authentication and costs 0. You can also use their single-click feature (SC) that allows you to configure a packaged .exe that will allow you to take control of a remote computer, even if it hasn’t VNC installed. See the recent entry here
November 4th, 2006 at 12:06 am
if you like vnc, then you’ll even better using vnc over ssh.
besides the added compression, ssh encrypts as vnc sends your password in ‘clear text’.
if you like vnc over ssh, then you’ll like even better nx (www.nomachine.com)–nothing better. period.
But don’t take my word for it–you can get your own free personal server edition of nx.
OK, that should do it.
(static line noise !@#$%^&* crackle) blip.
Good article.
November 6th, 2006 at 1:14 pm
I’ve been using TightVNC to connect to FreeBSD on a home net. Now I’d like to logon, from work using Putty/TightVNC, to the FreeBSD box, via
XP Pro box/Ananlogx portmapper.
I believe I’ve VNC’d into the XP Pro box:22 and got Analogx’d to the FreeBSD box.
How do I verify TightVNC’s route?
December 16th, 2006 at 4:42 pm
In case any one else is struggling to get XFCE desktop working with VNC I offer the following suggestions.
Make sure that your xstartup file has “& xfwm4 & xfce4-panel &” in it.
Without the xfce4-panel included I just get a terminal window. Which was fine for a while, but I certainly prefer to have the whole panel.
February 4th, 2007 at 10:47 am
I followed the above instructions with debian etch install and my initial (and future) VNC screen doesn’t have a temrinal window, its just all grey !! Help !!
I can logon locally, just not using VNC.
Anyone know how to fix?
February 4th, 2007 at 11:17 am
Update from above, I was using vncserver, not vnc4server ! The latter works..
Arrikhan
January 29th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
it helped me a lot!
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:11 pm
very informative! thanks alot!!!!
July 13th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
hi . i am try but error :
Error “unable to connect to hotst: Connection refused (10061)”
VNC Viewer 4