HOWTO: Setup vncserver + gdm on Ubuntu 8.04 Desktop

[kcnnc]

Much of the information comes from this threads http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=122402 and http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=191564 and links in the threads. However the threads were started since 2006 and many pages long. After spending a few days digging through the information and links, I hope this information will save you time if you are setting up vncserver and gdm on 8.04.

The setup was done almost immediately after a fresh installation of 8.04 desktop on our office internal network.

Objective:
To have vncserver setup with gdm on the host so that a remote vnc connection to it will be greeted with a gdm login screen for the user to login.


Clarification of terms used:
Host - refers to the PC you are trying to install vncserver on.
Remote - the PC that is going to connect to the host

1. Get required packages installed
On the host, run

sudo apt-get install vnc4server xinetd

Being a server guy, I prefer to ssh into the host and do all the work, so I also

sudo apt-get install openssh-server

This way I can directly test the vnc by using vncclient on my remote desktop to the host.
Of course if you have only a host PC, then you may also need a vncclient to test it.

2. Enable XDMCP
This is the part that is responsible for bring up the gdm login.

sudo vi /etc/gdm/gdm.conf

Uncomment this line

RemoteGreeter=/usr/lib/gdm/gdmlogin

Enable xdmcp, look for [xdmcp] and change Enable to true.

[xdmcp]
Enable=true

Restart gdm,

sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart

3. Setup xinetd
Create a new service file for xinetd

sudo vi /etc/xinetd.d/Xvnc

(vi is of course one of many editors you can use)

Paste the following into the file and save:

service Xvnc
{
        type = UNLISTED
        disable = no
        socket_type = stream
        protocol = tcp
        wait = no
        user = nobody
        only_from = localhost
        server = /usr/bin/Xvnc
        server_args = -inetd -query localhost -geometry 1024x768  -depth 16 -cc 3 -once -SecurityTypes=none -extension XFIXES
        port = 5901
}

Restart xinetd

sudo  /etc/init.d/xinetd restart

4. Connect from remote
Because I added only_from = localhost in /etc/xinetd.d/Xvnc above, I will need to ssh tunnel and forward my remote port (see term clarification above, as this is actually my local PC that I working from) to the host (this is the 'remote' where vncserver is being installed). If you do not need this step (why not?), just remove the line.

I use putty on Windows so just go to
Connections >SSH >Tunnels
Source Port: 5901
Destination: localhost:5901
Add
Then establish a normal ssh connection to the host or use my existing ssh connection.

This link might be helpful for those using other clients https://help.ubuntu.com/community/VNCOverSSH

I use UltraVNC, so this is what I do:
Open Viewer
VNC Server: localhost:5901
Connect

5. Done
The vnc viewer should open up and a gdm login screen presented (with a Debian logo).
Enter your username and password. That's it.


Hopefully this do not generate 45+9 pages of discussion.

Update :
How to connect with an Ubuntu remote using vinagre (Ubuntu's default vnc client) through an ssh tunnel

[KubuntuKilledMe]

Some notes on using this with kdm would be great. I guess i'll have to dig in those threads you found.

[kcnnc]

I have no experience with kdm. Presumably step 2 (Enable XDMCP) is the only point to focus attention on.

[tmaleshafske]

Great how to works perfectly.
Question though how do you make it work to have another remote session on 5902. Which would truely give you multiple remote sessions?

[geezerone]

Thanks for that, nice concise write-up.

[kcnnc]

Question though how do you make it work to have another remote session on 5902. Which would truely give you multiple remote sessions?

Just open another vnc connection to the same port.
It works ... I just did it on my desktop.

[geezerone]

What about getting privileges to perform tasks such as Shutdown from the power button icon. Do changes just have to be made under the login window preferences to allow remote connections admin rights or another way?

TIA

[kcnnc]

What about getting privileges to perform tasks such as Shutdown from the power button icon. Do changes just have to be made under the login window preferences to allow remote connections admin rights or another way?

In my case I don't have a need for those so I don't ready know how to do it. Maybe someone has an idea?

[iCara]

Worked perfectly for me on 8.04 desktop (not fresh install, upgraded from 7.10).

Thanks!

[trdc]

Very nice work. I spent a couple hours trying to get this to work using those guides you mentioned, but I could never got the login screen to come up. Your guide worked perfectly though.