VNC ​

VNC is a graphical desktop-sharing system that allow you to connect to graphical interfaces in your lab machines.

1. Install TurboVNC ​

1.1. Log into your lab machine and set bash variable

sh
# -- Example for version 3.0.2
turbovnc_version="3.0.2"

1.2. Download the latest TurboVNC

sh
wget https://netix.dl.sourceforge.net/project/turbovnc/${turbovnc_version}/turbovnc_${turbovnc_version}_amd64.deb -O "/tmp/turbovnc_${turbovnc_version}_amd64.deb"

Click here to see the latest version and update the text above with a new version number if needed.

1.3. Install

bash
sudo apt install "/tmp/turbovnc_${turbovnc_version}_amd64.deb"

2. Install a desktop environment ​

Make sure you have a desktop environment setup that TigerVNC can connect towards:

bash
sudo apt-get update -y && sudo apt-get autoremove -y
sudo apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends xubuntu-desktop

3. Start TurboVNC ​

Start the session on your server with the command below and note the number of session N (e.g. :1):

bash
/opt/TurboVNC/bin/vncserver -geometry 1280x900 -SecurityTypes None -localhost -disconnect

4. Configure your local computer ​

You will need a SSH tunnel between your local computer and your lab to connect to your VNC session.

Calculate your port

In this example we will use port 5901. In case of multiple users you will need to calculate your port based your session number identified above (N): 5900 + n(:1) => 5901.

4.1 In your local computer, establish a SSH tunnel to your lab:

bash
ssh -L59000:localhost:5901 -C -N lab

4.2 Download and install tigervnc on your local computer.

Windows

Download TigerVNC on sourceforge.net (Click Download).

OS X and MacOS
bash
brew install --cask tigervnc-viewer
Ubuntu
bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt install tigervnc-viewer

4.3 Connect your VNC client using the following address (see below).

bash
127.0.0.1:59000

Useful commands for Turbo VNC ​

TurboVNC commands are run inside your lab machine.

List running sessions ​

If you have one or more existing sessions running and you want to list them, you can use -list parameter:

bash
/opt/TurboVNC/bin/vncserver -list

Stop session ​

You can stop your session by using -kill parameter and :n being a number of session (e.g. :1):

bash
/opt/TurboVNC/bin/vncserver -kill :n

Troubleshooting ​

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