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Using TigerVNC in Ubuntu: A Comprehensive Guide

Using TigerVNC in Ubuntu: A Comprehensive Guide

If you are looking for a way to remotely access your Ubuntu desktop, TigerVNC is a great option. This open-source software allows you to connect to your Ubuntu machine from another device, such as a Windows or macOS computer. In this article, we will explore how to install and use TigerVNC in Ubuntu, with code examples and explanations of related concepts.

What is TigerVNC?

TigerVNC is a high-performance, platform-neutral implementation of Virtual Network Computing (VNC), a protocol that allows you to view and control the desktop of another computer remotely. TigerVNC is free and open-source software, available under the GNU General Public License.

TigerVNC provides several benefits, including:

  • High performance: TigerVNC is designed for efficient remote desktop access over low-bandwidth networks.
  • Security: TigerVNC supports encryption and authentication, ensuring that your remote desktop connection is secure.
  • Cross-platform compatibility: TigerVNC can be used to connect to Ubuntu from Windows, macOS, and other operating systems.

Installing TigerVNC in Ubuntu

Before we can use TigerVNC, we need to install it on our Ubuntu machine. Here are the steps to do so:

  1. Open a terminal window by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T.
  2. Install TigerVNC by running the following command:
sudo apt-get install tigervnc-standalone-server tigervnc-xorg-extension tigervnc-viewer

This command will install the TigerVNC server and viewer components.

Configuring TigerVNC in Ubuntu

After installing TigerVNC, we need to configure it to allow remote desktop access. Here are the steps to do so:

  1. Open a terminal window by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T.
  2. Run the following command to create a new VNC password:
vncpasswd

This command will prompt you to enter and confirm a new VNC password. This password will be used to authenticate remote desktop connections.

  1. Edit the TigerVNC configuration file by running the following command:
sudo nano /etc/vnc.conf
  1. Add the following lines to the end of the file:
Authentication=VncAuth
PasswordFile=~/.vnc/passwd

These lines tell TigerVNC to use VNC authentication and to use the password file we created earlier.

  1. Save and close the file by pressing Ctrl+X, then Y, then Enter.

Starting the TigerVNC Server

Now that we have installed and configured TigerVNC, we can start the server and begin accepting remote desktop connections. Here are the steps to do so:

  1. Open a terminal window by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T.
  2. Start the TigerVNC server by running the following command:
vncserver

This command will start the TigerVNC server and generate a unique desktop environment for each new connection.

  1. Note the display number that is output by the command. It should be in the format :1, :2, etc. We will need this display number to connect to the remote desktop later.

Connecting to the Remote Desktop with TigerVNC Viewer

Now that the TigerVNC server is running, we can connect to the remote desktop using TigerVNC Viewer. Here are the steps to do so:

  1. Download and install TigerVNC Viewer on the device you want to connect from. You can download it from the official website.
  2. Open TigerVNC Viewer and enter the IP address or hostname of the Ubuntu machine in the “Remote Host” field.
  3. Enter the display number we noted earlier in the “Display” field. For example, if the display number was :1, enter 1.
  4. Enter the VNC password we created earlier in the “Password” field.
  5. Click “Connect” to connect to the remote desktop.

Conclusion

TigerVNC is a powerful and flexible tool for remotely accessing Ubuntu desktops. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should now be able to install, configure, and use TigerVNC in Ubuntu. With TigerVNC, you can easily work on your Ubuntu machine from anywhere in the world, using any device that supports the VNC protocol.

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