Setup Remote Access (VNC) of Linux Servers

Tested in Ubuntu 16.04 desktop Gnome+Unity in Vmware.
OBS: pure server will automatically start X in reboot and will lack of something, e.g. Default Terminal etc.

FIREWALL #

TCP port 5900+N (N is monitorId, starts from 1.)

TIGHT.VNC AS SERVER #

TightVnc allows us to start from a server without X11 and do everything in command line, remotely.

install (either already with or w/o desktop) #

sudo su: use root can avoid weird problems, see “ps”.

sudo apt-get update && \
sudo apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends ubuntu-desktop gnome-terminal nautilus tightvncserver autocutsel vim && \
sudo apt-get install -y gnome-session-flashback gnome-panel gnome-settings-daemon && \
mkdir ~/.vnc/; mkdir -p ~/.config/nautilus

Note: possible extra parameter: --no-install-recommends.
Then run: vncserver :1 (// to kill: vncserver -kill :1)
For grey screen problem, modify ~/.vnc/xstartup to:

# Uncomment the following two lines for normal desktop:
# unset SESSION_MANAGER
# exec /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc

[ -x /etc/vnc/xstartup ] && exec /etc/vnc/xstartup
[ -r $HOME/.Xresources ] && xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
xsetroot -solid grey
x-terminal-emulator -geometry 80x24+10+10 -ls -title "$VNCDESKTOP Desktop" &
x-window-manager &
autocutsel -s CLIPBOARD -fork # to share clipboard
gnome-panel &
gnome-settings-daemon &
metacity &
nautilus &
gnome-terminal &

Change mod:

chmod -R +x ~/.vnc/ # lacking of "x" permission will also cause grey screen.

To have auto-start after rebooting, add @reboot /usr/bin/vncserver :1 to the bottom of crontab file by: crontab -e
ref1: linode (evernote backup). ref2.

problem #

Local physical GUI login loop, maybe with error “lvmetad is not active yet using direct activation during sysinit” in black screen/terminal.
Reason: wrong ownership of ~/.Xauthority (same for .ICEauthority and .gvfs).
Solution: chown <user>:<group> .Xauthority; ref
To kill server: vncserver -kill :N

TEAM.VIEWER ON NIX SERVER #

(not really vnc, but needed for MATLAB in Nix. MATLAB canNOT run with remote java, except -X forwarding)

1. download official installer (.deb).
2. install with sudo dpkg -i abc.deb (with dependency problems)
3. resolve problem with sudo apt-get -f install which installs the lacking dependencies.
4. run teamviewer (no root; remains available even after auto time-out logout (teamviewer v.12 within Ubuntu16))
   Tip: Teamviewer server can have several permanent personal passwords:
   
   It should be find to use teamviewer GUI to setup autorun. If not, search all apps for “startup”, and add teamviewerd as a new startup.

ANY.DESK #

REAL.VNC #

(max 5 computers) (not recommended)
Warn: both server and clients need to login the same “RealVnc account” to use.

1. download official installer (.deb).
2. install with sudo dpkg -i viewer.deb server.deb (no dependency problem).
3. run sudo vncserver-x11-serviced.
4. click running logo and resolve the licence warning.

To uninstall RealVnc:
sudo apt-get purge realvnc-vnc-server
sudo apt-get purge realvnc-vnc-viewer

CLIENT #

TightVnc is preferred as open software.
RealVnc is also ok.
Usage: serverIp:N (N is monitorId)

ps:
To start vnc using a non-root user, proper files’ ownership and rights might be (it worked for sunny by a chance / sometimes):

(the password file is not pure password)

Light Weighted Desktop Alternatives #

Note: the size can be varying depends on what has been installed.
Tip: libreoffice needs 350M ~ 450M (depends on recommends) disk.

official doc for XServers in server version.