Setting Up VNC4Server on Ubuntu: A Step-by-Step Guide

VNC (Virtual Network Computing) is a powerful tool that allows you to remotely access and control a graphical desktop environment on a remote server. In this tutorial, we will show you how to set up a VNC server using TightVNC on an Ubuntu 22.04 server and connect to it securely through an SSH tunnel.

Step 1: Installing the Desktop Environment and VNC Server

By default, an Ubuntu 22.04 server does not come with a graphical desktop environment or a VNC server installed. To begin, we will install both Xfce and TightVNC packages from the official Ubuntu repository.

During installation, you may be prompted to choose a default display manager for Xfce. Both Xfce and TightVNC are known for being lightweight and fast, which ensures that the VNC connection is smooth and stable even on slower internet connections.

Step 2: Connecting to Your Server with SSH

After installing the desktop environment and VNC server, you will need to connect to your server using SSH. Update your list of packages by running the following command:

```

sudo apt update

```

Step 3: Configuring VNC4Server

Once connected to your server, you can configure the VNC4Server by editing the `/etc/tightvncserver/vncserver.conf` file.

For example, you can change the default port number by modifying the `Port` directive:

```

Port=5901

```

Save the changes and restart the VNC service to apply the new settings:

```

sudo service vnc4server restart

```

Connecting to Your VNC Server

To connect to your VNC server, you will need a VNC client program on your local machine. You can use any VNC client that supports connections over SSH tunnels.

For example, you can use TightVNC Viewer, which is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. Simply launch the viewer and enter the following connection details:

* Host: Your Ubuntu 22.04 server's IP address or hostname

* Port: The port number you specified in the `/etc/tightvncserver/vncserver.conf` file (default is 5901)

* Password: The password you set for your VNC server

Once connected, you can interact with your remote server using your keyboard and mouse. This makes managing files, software, and settings on a remote server easier for users who are not yet comfortable with the command line.

In this tutorial, we have shown you how to set up a VNC4Server using TightVNC on an Ubuntu 22.04 server and connect to it securely through an SSH tunnel. With these steps, you can easily access and control your remote server's graphical desktop environment from anywhere in the world.

References

* '1' Official Ubuntu Repository

* '2' TightVNC Documentation

Vnc4server ubuntu