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Remote GUI access

Remote graphical access to Lab Workstations

There are 2 options depending on whether you want to graphically connect to an existing session open on the workstation or you want to remotely start a new one and connect to it.

Existing session

In the first case the recommended solution is NoMachine.

Ask the administrator to install it on your workstation if you don't have the necessary privileges.

After the installation the daemon is by default available at port 4000. You'll have to connect to SIH-59 using VPN (ask CeNT IT for an account) or use the sshuttle

New remote session

The second solution allows creating an independent GUI session. This uses TigerVNC which should be already installed:

First-time

  1. Set password: vncpasswd
  2. Run for the first time: vncserver
  3. Kill the session: vncserver -kill :*
  4. Replace the contents of the $HOME/.vnc/xstartup file with:
#!/bin/sh
[ -x /etc/vnc/xstartup ] && exec /etc/vnc/xstartup
[ -r $HOME/.Xresources ] && xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
vncconfig -iconic &
dbus-launch --exit-with-session gnome-session

Starting-stopping

  1. Start a new session adjusting the color depth and screen size: sh vncserver -localhost no -geometry 1800x900 -depth 24
  2. To kill your session use: vncserver -kill :*

To connect install TigerVNC Client on your laptop and connect using VPN (ask CeNT IT for an account) or use the sshuttle.

TigerVNC uses ports 590x, where x is the session number. If your session is the only one it should have port 5901. In that case if you connect using sshuttle use the following connection address in the TigerVNC client (substitute with lab0xx): 

lab001.sih-59.internal:5901