blog:elegant_solution_for_remotely_accessible_vnc_desktops [Brb wiki]

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====== Elegant solution for remotely accessible vnc desktops ======

I wanted to give windows users in my network quick access to a linux graphical desktop. I chose the vnc protocol, because there are many good and open source implementations (notably tightvnc which comes in a portable version). 

===== Features =====
  * vnc terminal server, which can handle any number of clients
  * very easy setup for users. Preparing a vnc client and telling users what server:port to connect is enough. 
  * different resolutions chosen by the vnc port that the client connects to

===== Client setup =====
  * From the local network: Almost none, clients connect to vnc ports 5951, 5952 etc. depending on the resolution they want.\\  ''vncviewer -encodings tight ::5952'' 
  * From remote, using ssh: 
    * Create a port forward from 590x to 595x on the server
    * Connect your vnc client to localhost:595x\\ Example:\\ ''ssh yourserver.tld -L localhost:5902:localhost:5952'' \\ ''vncviewer -encodings tight ::5902''




===== Server setup: =====

  * Install xinetd and vnc4server
  * Change display manager to kdm
  * change kdmrc to allow xmdcp login
  * change Xaccess to allow login


Add custom services to your /etc/services file, so that your inetd.conf can use them:
  # Local services                                                                           
  custom-vnc 5951/tcp                                                                        
  custom-vncc 5952/tcp                                                                       
  custom-vnccc 5953/tcp                                                                      
  custom-vncccc 5954/tcp   


Add one line per resolution you want to your inetd.conf. Add more resolutions at your taste. Of course, geometry should match the screen size of your clients.
  #custom-vnc stream tcp nowait nobody /usr/bin/Xvnc Xvnc :8 -inetd -query localhost -once -geometry 1280x1024 -depth 24 -ac                                                            
  custom-vnc stream tcp nowait nobody /usr/bin/Xvnc Xvnc :8 -inetd -query localhost -once -geometry 1024x768 -depth 24 -ac                                                              
  custom-vncc stream tcp nowait nobody /usr/bin/Xvnc Xvnc :8 -inetd -query localhost -once -geometry 1280x1024 -depth 24 -ac                                                            
  custom-vnccc stream tcp nowait nobody /usr/bin/Xvnc Xvnc :8 -inetd -query localhost -once -geometry 1680x1024 -depth 24 -ac

Ref: http://linuxreviews.org/howtos/xvnc/#toc3

{{tag>linux vnc terminal-server}}

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