Configure VNCServer in ubuntu

I have a new PC with a fresh ubuntu installation and I want to use it as a server. I have a LAN, all my computers have Windows XP professional installed. This is what I need to do:

- All of my Windows PC's will connect to the Linux PC using remote desktop and a VNC viewer.
- Each PC will connect as a different user, and they will use the programming tools of Linux (Xemacs, gcc, etc).

I know this could be done with the VNC Server, but I'm having a hard time finding the proper configuration. could you point me in the right direction please?

Thank you.

kalvillo

Asked: 2007-06-18

Hi,

I suggest you use Feisty for this, Edgy has got some need to work around. The steps are:

1) Logon to your Ubuntu, select "System->Administration->Login Windows" from Menu

2) Select "Remote" tab and "Same as Local" for style.

3) Click on the "Configure XDMCP..." button at the bottom right.

4) Uncheck "Honour indirect requests"

5) Close the Login Windows Administration windows.

6) Fire up your terminal and issue "sudo vi /etc/X11/gdm/gdm.conf" or use any editor you prefer.

7) check that in the section [xdmcp] has Enable=true:
[xdmcp]
# Distributions: Ship with this off. It is never a safe thing to leave out on
# the net. Setting up /etc/hosts.allow and /etc/hosts.deny to only allow local
# access is another alternative but not the safest. Firewalling port 177 is
# the safest if you wish to have xdmcp on. Read the manual for more notes on
# the security of XDMCP.
Enable=true

8) Check that RemoteGreeter is commented:
#RemoteGreeter=/usr/lib/gdm/gdmlogin

9) Install the vnc4server and xinetd packages using "sudo apt-get install vnc4server xinetd"

10) Create the password for your VNC login using "sudo vncpasswd /root/.vncpasswd"

11) Edit /etc/xinetd.d/Xvnc file (this should be created as a new file if you haven't previously do anything) using the commend "sudo vi /etc/xinetd.d/Xvnc" and ad in as:
service Xvnc
{
type = UNLISTED
disable = no
socket_type = stream
protocol = tcp
wait = yes
user = root
server = /usr/bin/Xvnc
server_args = -inetd -query localhost -geometry 1024x768 -depth 16 -once -fp /usr/share/fonts/X11/misc -DisconnectClients=0 passwordFile=/root/.vncpasswd -extension XFIXES
port = 5900
}
P/S: You may want to change the resolution (1024x768) and color depth (-depth 16) according to your need.

12) Now is a good time to reboot your machine "sudo init 6"

13) When the Ubuntu machine is up and running, go to you Windows and use your favorite VNC client, and connect to your Ubuntu. You should be able to connect without problem.

14) Final word: As you might notice that in (7), enabling XDMCP is not something safe, you may want to configure your firewall to protect the machine properly.