VNC Server [KPTree Wiki]

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{{tag>linux server debian vnc setup vncserver tigervnc gnome xfce}}
=====VNC Server=====
I want a simple server GUI VNC system.  Sadly most the instructions on the net do not seem to meet my needs.
  * Install a GUI
    * A light desktop system, e.g. xfce
    * The x11 windows manager system
    * A display manager, optional
    * ''sudo apt install --no-install-recommends xfce4 xserver-xorg'', xfce-goodies is an option package
After setting up a basic Debian server I do the following.

++++Old, tl;dr;|
====Old VNC Setup Notes====
For 18.04 I decided to go with TigerVNC according to Linuxize [[https://linuxize.com/post/how-to-install-and-configure-vnc-on-ubuntu-18-04/|How to Install and Configure VNC on Ubuntu 18.04]]. The main difference is that I can not be bothered using a secure link in my home private network. So to allow a direct connection add ''-localhost no'' to the TigerVNC command line to allow direct connection, see GitHub TigerVNC notes unable to connect to socket: [[https://github.com/TigerVNC/tigervnc/issues/117|Connection refused(10061) #117]]

The basic set up is given in have the know how [[http://www.havetheknowhow.com/Configure-the-server/Install-VNC.html|Ubuntu Sever install VNC]], with more detailed startup details given in [[http://www.havetheknowhow.com/Configure-the-server/Run-VNC-on-boot.html|Ubuntu Server: How to run VNC on startup]].

I prefer a full xfce desktop to a cut down gnome one, so I installed it instead, see [[https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-install-and-configure-vnc-on-ubuntu-16-04|How to Install and Configure VNC on Ubuntu 16.04]] from Digitalocean.

A concise setup is here [[https://linuxconfig.org/vnc-server-on-ubuntu-18-04-bionic-beaver-linux|VNC server on Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver Linux]].

I basically follow the Have the know how instructions, but instead of ''sudo apt install gnome-core'', use ''sudo apt install xfce4 xfce4-goodies''. I have been using vnc4server, not tightvncserver. Also in ~/.vnc/xstartup, only:
<code>
    #!/bin/bash
    unset SESSION_MANAGER
    startxfce4 &
</code>
(Basically the startxfce4 &, instead of metacity &, gnome-settings-daemon &, gnome-panel &)

The xfce screen-saver seems to default on and use significant system resources, and is basically unnecessary on a headless server. To disable perform the following:

  *In the xfce desktop go to the ''Applications Menu > Settings > Screensaver'' and disabled the screensaver, then from the ''File'' menu chose ''Kill Daemon''.
  *Then go to the ''Applications Menu > Settings > Session and Startup'' and unchecked ''Screensaver (launch screensaver and locker program)'' in the ''Application Autostart'' tab.

(The xfce screensavers actually look quite nice, and may make sense on a standard desktop install.)

The xfce default shell seems to be sh (/bin/sh), I prefer bash (/bin/bash). To check the current shell, type: ''echo $SHELL''. To use bash simply type ''bash''. To make permanent add the line ''exec /bin/bash'' to the end of ''vim ~/.profile''. You will need to restart VNCserver for this to take effect.

===Some other important tips:===

 *To start server ''vncserver -geometry 2200x1340''. (I have 2 preferred geometries, one for smaller screens (1880x1040) and one for larger (2200x1340))
 *To stop server "vncserver -kill :1" or :2
 *The server log files are stored in ~/.vnc, ''less ~/.vnc/KPTreeServer:1.log'' or :2. (A log files may contain a number of errors and warnings, however this does not necessarily mean the vncserver will not operate correctly.)
 *The .pid files in ~/.vnc generally show which vnc are currently running, performance can be checked by viewing the log file. The running vnc server process(es) can also be checked with the command ''ps -A | grep vnc''
 *The vncserver startup configuration file: ''vim ~/.vnc/xstartup''
 *I set up cron to run the following script at boot: ''vim ~/Myscripts/StartVNC.sh'', StartVNC.sh: 
<code>
        #!/bin/sh
        /usr/bin/vncserver -geometry 1880x1020
        /usr/bin/vncserver -geometry 2350x1335
</code>
 *The cron script statement is ''/home/homedirectory/Myscripts/StartVNC.sh >/dev/null 2>&1''
 (I elected not to use the systemd setup described in the Digitalocean set instructions as I normally run 2 vncservers with different geometries to allow better performance on tablet/laptop/desktop computers.)

If connection is refused may need to use option ''-localhost no'', e.g. ''vncserver -localhost no''

++++

====Some preferred graphical programs:====
  *Synaptic package manager - a graphical package manager; package: synaptic (To use: ''gksudo synaptic &'', will only work with root privileges.)
  *Virtual machine manager - a graphical virtual machine manager; package: virt-manager
  *XnView - a photo display manipulation program
  *Byobu - a fancy terminal; package byobu
  *Gnome file manager; package: nautilus. (CLI: ''gksudo nautilus &'', but be very careful if using in root...)
  *Gnome disk utility; package: gnome-disk-utility. (CLI: ''gksudo gnome-disk &'', but be care if using in root...)
  *Gnome disk usage utility; package: boabab. (CLI: boabab &)

++++Home Server Index|<pagelist&header>
*[[home_server:home_server_setup:summary]]
*[[home_server:home_server_setup:home_it_setup]]
*[[home_server:home_server_setup:Network_setup]]
*[[home_server:home_server_setup:kvm]]
*[[home_server:home_server_setup:vnc_setup]]
*[[home_server:home_server_setup:disk_check]]
*[[home_server:home_server_setup:other_services:index]]
</pagelist>++++
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