Differences

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--- atmos:citation:soft:vnc [2026/06/01 20:00] – delene
+++ atmos:citation:soft:vnc [2026/06/03 16:59] (current) – Did some more cleaning up of this page to make it easier to understand and to remove some duplicate information. kevin.norby
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-====== Update August 21, 2024 ======
 ====== VNC Virtual Network Computing======
@@ Line 8: / Line 5: @@
 Must have a good internet connection in order for it to not be extremely slow, but note that the school's VPN may be the issue if connection is really slow.
-We will be using the RealVNC program, which includes the VNC Viewer and the VNC Server.
+We will be using either TigerVNC or RealVNC, which include the VNC Viewer and the VNC Server.
-===== First Time Access via VNC to UND Linux Servers (Aircraft/Littlestorm) =====
+===== First Time Access via VNC to UND Linux Servers (Aircraft/Littlestorm) as of 06/2026 =====
-  - A secure shell client is required.
+    - A secure shell (ssh) client is required. On Windows, use [[https://atmoswiki.azurewebsites.net/doku.php?id=atmos:citation:soft:putty_ssh|PuTTY]].
-    - On Windows, use [[https://atmoswiki.azurewebsites.net/doku.php?id=atmos:citation:soft:putty_ssh|PuTTY]].
+  - The UND VPN is also required. [[https://und.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/2048/IT/KB/ArticleDet?ID=145487|UNDvpnInstructions]]
-  - Most likely will need to access UND vpn. [[https://und.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/2048/IT/KB/ArticleDet?ID=145487|UNDvpnInstructions]]
       - When logging into the vpn, use   vpn.ndus.edu   instead of vpn.und.edu
   - Login to PuTTY with your NDUS login. (firstname.lastname, ndus password)
-  - Type vncpasswd in PuTTY to create a password file in ~/.vnc
+  - Enter ''vncpasswd'' into PuTTY to create a password file in ''~/.vnc''. The password can only be up to 8 characters long.
-  - Email SCC, Derek Stinchfield <derek.stinchfield@und.edu> to start VNC using your own "Display Number" listed in the table at end of this Wiki page. (If you don't have one, add one to the table)
+  - Create a file in ''~/.vnc'' called ''xstartup'' containing the following code:<code>
-  - Use VNC viewer to access the site. (May need to be downloaded). Name: Either TigerVNC or RealVNC Viewer. (Preference for Tiger, download latest version https://tigervnc.org/)
+#!/bin/sh
-  - Make sure PuTTY is open and logged into (with NDUS identifiers)
-  - Open the VNC viewer and enter hostname (e.g. "littlestorm.atmos.und.edu:xx")
+vncconfig -iconic &
-    - Where "xx" is your display number.
-  - Use new VNC password created in step 1. Then, login using personal ndus password.
+unset SESSION_MANAGER
+unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS
+exec /usr/bin/xfce4-session
+[ -x /etc/vnc/xstartup ] && exec /etc/vnc/xstartup
+[ -r $HOME/.Xresources ] && xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
+xsetroot -solid grey
+vncconfig -iconic &
+</code>
+  - Make this file executable with the command ''chmod +x xstartup''
+  - Create another file in ''~/.vnc'' called ''config'' that contains this line:<code>
+session=xfce
+</code>
+  - If you have not already been assigned a display number, scroll down and add your name with the next available number, or ask to be given the number of an inactive user.
+  - You will need a VNC viewer. (May need to be downloaded). Name: Either TigerVNC or RealVNC Viewer. (Preference for Tiger, download latest version https://tigervnc.org/)
+  - Run PuTTY and start your VNC session with the command ''systemctl start vncserver@:#.service'', replacing the # with your display number.
+  - Run your VNC viewer and enter the hostname, e.g. ''littlestorm.atmos.und.edu:#'', again replacing # with your display number.
+  - Log in with the password you created earlier
+  - You should now be looking at a window containing a linux desktop!
+  - When you are finished with the VNC, please return to PuTTY and enter the command ''systemctl stop vncserver@:#.service'', again replacing # with your display number. This will end your VNC session on the server, freeing up important resources.
 * Simplified steps for future use after initial set up:
-    - Activate UND vpn through Global Protect.
+    - Start the UND VPN
     - Open PuTTY and login.
+    - Enter ''systemctl start vncserver@:#.service''
     - Open VNC Viewer, enter host name, and login.
+    - When you are finished, return to PuTTY and enter ''systemctl stop vncserver@:#.service''
-===== Creating a VNC file on Remote Linux Computer =====
+===== Desktop Environment to Use =====
+Linux has several options for a desktop environment, which include GNOME and Xfce. GNOME is the default, but it seems to take up to 20GB of memory on busy servers like Littlestorm after running for several weeks/months. Hence, users should use the Xfce environment instead of GNOME on Littlestorm.
+If you set up your VNC using the 06/2026 instructions at the top of the page, then you will already be using Xfce. To be sure, look at the top left of the VNC window. If the symbol to the left of ''Applications'' is a blue X with a mouse in front, you're running Xfce. If your VNC was set up previously and uses GNOME, please swap to Xfce when possible. To do so, edit your ''xstartup'' file and make sure it contains the lines
+<code>
+unset SESSION_MANAGER
+unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS
+exec /usr/bin/xfce4-session
+</code>
+Get rid of the line ''exec /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc'' if it is present.
+You will also need to create a ''config'' file in ''~/.vnc'' that contains
+<code>
+session=xfce
+</code>
+If you already have a config file, make sure it contains this line.
+The next time you start your VNC session, it should be running Xfce.
+===== Creating a VNC file on Other Remote Linux Computers =====
   - You must first create a vnc file on the computer you are wishing to gain external access to (the server computer).
@@ Line 37: / Line 73: @@
   - Make sure this file is executable. If not, make executable by typing ''chmod +x xstartup'' in terminal window
-=== xstartup code for RedHat Linux Computers (for example aircraft.atmos.und.ued) ===
-See /nas/setup/xstartup-aircraft.  Put the below "code" in .vnc/xstartup using editor or cp.  For example, cp /nas/setup/xstartup-aircraft ~/.vnc/xstartup
-<code>
-#!/bin/sh
-vncconfig -iconic &
-#Uncomment the following two lines for normal desktop:
-unset SESSION_MANAGER
-exec /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc
-[ -x /etc/vnc/xstartup ] && exec /etc/vnc/xstartup
-[ -r $HOME/.Xresources ] && xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
-xsetroot -solid grey
-vncconfig -iconic &
-#xterm -geometry 80x24+10+10 -ls -title "$VNCDESKTOP Desktop" &
-gnome-session &
-#IF YOUR NOT ABLE TO OPEN A GNOME TERMINAL IN YOUR VNC SESSION, COMMENT OUT THE LINE ABOVE AND UNCOMMENT OUT THE LINE BELOW!
-#exec gnome-session &
-</code>
 === xstartup code for Linux Mint Computers (for example Clifford Hall 422 computers) ===
@@ Line 102: / Line 114: @@
   * **To Start Server:**
        * Type into a terminal window (on the server computer): ''vncserver''
        * You can also choose the display number by using this command: ''vncserver :*'' (where * is the display number, make sure you watch your spacing!)
        * This will keep the server running until the computer is restarted or the power fails. This is also the reason why the computers in the computer labs are left on.
@@ Line 184: / Line 196: @@
   * Make sure to read the Wiki pages for both of these before continuing with this page
+===== Accessing the VNC server on OS X =====
+OS X has a built in VNC viewer, so no extra software is needed to access the VNC server.
+To access the VNC server: --- //[[david.delene@und.edu|David Delene]] 2020/10/19 23:12//
+  * Open Terminal and execute the following command to set up a port tunnel: ssh -L 59??:localhost:59?? -l <login name> <host name or IP address>.  The host name for example is aircraft.atmos.und.edu.  This creates an tunnel via ssh.
+  * Open Finder and in the toolbar, choose Go->Connect to Server
+  * In the dialog box, enter vnc:/ /<hostname>:59?? where <hostname> is computer hostname or ip address. Use localhost if doing a tunnel via ssh (setup one).  For the ?? in 59??, replace with display number.  For example 07 or 14 for display 7 and 14.
+  * Choose "Connect.
+  * A window will prompt for your password. Enter it and you're all set!
+To change the VNC viewer resolution:
+  * Connect to the VNC server
+  * Open settings within the linux operating system and choose Displays->Resolution->1920x1080
 ===== Extra Information for those interested =====
 ==== Terms and Definitions ====
@@ Line 204: / Line 233: @@
   * **Client** : Your computer, or the computer that is trying to gain access to the server
-===== Accessing the VNC server on OS X =====
-OS X has a built in VNC viewer, so no extra software is needed to access the VNC server.
-To access the VNC server: --- //[[david.delene@und.edu|David Delene]] 2020/10/19 23:12//
-  * Open Terminal and execute the following command to set up a port tunnel: ssh -L 59??:localhost:59?? -l <login name> <host name or IP address>.  The host name for example is aircraft.atmos.und.edu.  This creates an tunnel via ssh.
-  * Open Finder and in the toolbar, choose Go->Connect to Server
-  * In the dialog box, enter vnc:/ /<hostname>:59?? where <hostname> is computer hostname or ip address. Use localhost if doing a tunnel via ssh (setup one).  For the ?? in 59??, replace with display number.  For example 07 or 14 for display 7 and 14.
-  * Choose "Connect.
-  * A window will prompt for your password. Enter it and you're all set!
-To change the VNC viewer resolution:
-  * Connect to the VNC server
-  * Open settings within the linux operating system and choose Displays->Resolution->1920x1080
-===== Desktop Server to Use (Use XFCE on LittleStorm) =====
-Linux has several options for a Desktop Server, which include gnome and XFCE.  Gnome seems to take up to 20GB of memory on Littlestorm after running for several weeks/months.  Hence, users should use XFCE Destop Server instead of gnome on Littlestorm.
 ===== List of VNC Display Numbers Used by People =====
@@ Line 267: / Line 276: @@
 * Active Users
-To see who is using VNC Server session use the command "ps -ef | grep -i Xvnc".  This can also be used to check if your own session is running. To kill a session use vncserver -kill :?  where ? is your display number.
+To see who is using VNC Server session use the command "ps -ef | grep -i Xvnc".  This can also be used to check if your own session is running. To kill your session, use ''systemctl stop vncserver@:#.service'',  where # is your display number.
-- Error Example: Attempting to run vnc, you may get the error 'Timed out waiting for a response from the computer.' Use above command to check your session. If your session is not running, email Derek.Stinchfield@und.edu to start the session.
-===== Users Starting the VNC Server =====
-  systemctl start vncserver@:n.service
-  systemctl stop vncserver@:n.service
-Where n is the vnc session number.  To stop the service use
-    systemctl disable vncserver@n.service
+- Error Example: Attempting to run VNC, you may get the error 'Timed out waiting for a response from the computer.' Use above command to check your session. If your session is not running, start it with ''systemctl start vncserver@:#.service'',  where # is your display number.