How to Install and Use VNC on Linux

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a platform-independent system that allows users to remotely control a computer's desktop environment. This tutorial is designed to guide you through the process of installing and using VNC on a Linux system. Whether you are a system administrator who needs remote control or a user who wants to work from home, understanding VNC will allow you to access the graphical desktop seamlessly.

Overview of VNC

VNC is a graphical desktop-sharing system that uses the Remote Frame Buffer (RFB) protocol to remotely control another computer. It transmits keyboard and mouse events from one computer to another, and sends graphical screen updates back in the other direction over the network. VNC is cross-platform, allowing connections between different operating systems.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• A Linux system with a desktop environment such as GNOME, KDE, or Xfce.
• Access to the terminal in your Linux system.
• Basic knowledge of command-line operations.

Installing a VNC Server

Installing a VNC server on your Linux machine is the first step. A VNC server allows you to connect to other machines remotely. You will need to choose a VNC server software. One of the most popular in Linux distributions is TightVNC, but depending on your preference, TigerVNC or RealVNC are alternatives. However, in this guide, we will focus on installing TightVNC.

Step 1: Update your system

Before starting the installation process, make sure your system is up to date. This can be done with the package manager. Run the following command:

sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install the Desktop Environment

If your Linux server doesn't already have a desktop environment, you'll need to install it. Install a lightweight environment like Xfce:

sudo apt install xfce4 xfce4-goodies

Step 3: Install TightVNC Server

Now, you need to install the VNC server package. Use the package manager command:

sudo apt install tightvncserver

Configuring a VNC Server

Once you have installed the VNC server, you will need to configure it:

Step 1: Set the VNC password

Run the VNC server command to set the password for the VNC user:

vncserver

You will be asked to enter a password. Note that this password must be used when you log in later via the VNC client. You can also choose whether you want a 'view only' password, which allows someone to only view the desktop, but not interact with it.

Step 2: Configure the VNC server

You'll need to tell your VNC server which desktop environment to use. Create or edit the ~/.vnc/xstartup file:

#!/bin/bash
xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
startxfce4 &

Make sure the startup script is executable:

chmod +x ~/.vnc/xstartup

Step 3: Start the VNC server

To start the VNC server to create the initial desktop, use the following command:

vncserver :1

This command will start a VNC server session on display :1, which usually listens on TCP port 5901.

Accessing a VNC server from a client

To connect to a VNC server, you need to install a VNC client on the machine you will be accessing from. On most Linux distributions, you can use the built-in Remmina remote desktop client, or you can install RealVNC Viewer or any VNC viewer of your choice.

Example: Using RealVNC Viewer

Here is a simple guide to connecting using RealVNC Viewer:

1. Download and install RealVNC Viewer from the official site or your system's package manager.
2. Start the RealVNC Viewer application.
3. In the address bar, enter the server address, including the display number (for example, 192.168.1.100:1).
4. Click Connect. When prompted, enter the VNC password you set earlier.

Managing VNC Server Sessions

To stop the VNC server use:

vncserver -kill :1

This ends the VNC server session running on display :1.

Viewing active sessions and logs

To view active sessions, list the contents of ~/.vnc, where you'll find the files associated with each session.

Examine the log to troubleshoot and manage the session. The log is typically named ~/.vnc/<hostname>:1.log.

Advanced Configuration

Advanced VNC users may want to use SSH tunnels to improve performance or for secure connections. Take a brief look at these advanced topics:

Performance improvements

• Select a lower quality setting in the VNC viewer to increase speed.
• Optimize network settings to reduce latency.

Securing VNC using SSH tunneling

The VNC protocol is not secure by default. Security can be increased by using SSH tunneling. Here is an example connection:

ssh -L 5901:localhost:5901 your_username@192.168.1.100

This command will tunnel VNC traffic through SSH.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you have learned how to install, configure, and use a VNC server on a Linux system. You also learned how to connect to a VNC server using various clients, manage sessions, and set up advanced configurations for security and performance. Mastering these steps provides flexibility and ease for remote desktop access, making VNC a valuable tool for Linux users and administrators.

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