What is VNC
VNC (Virtual Network Computing) is a software solution that allows you to control a remote system using your local keyboard and mouse as if you were physically present at the remote machine. It’s especially useful for managing servers that have a graphical user interface (GUI).
Requirements to install
To use VNC effectively, a graphical environment on the server is required. While CLI-based remote access is best done with SSH, VNC shines when you need GUI access. Minimum recommended server specifications:
- At least 2 GB RAM
- 2 CPU cores
- 20–30 GB of disk space
Installation
You're ready now. Please follow steps below:
Update the system and install necessary packages
apt-get update && apt install xfce4 xfce4-goodies tightvncserver
You’ll be prompted to create a password for remote access. Optionally, you can set a separate read-only (viewer) password.
vncserver
Stop the VNC server to configure startup settings
vncserver -kill :1 
Configure the startup script and add execution permissions to file:
echo "startxfce4 &" > /root/.vnc/xstartup
chmod +x /root/.vnc/xstartup
Restart the VNC server
vncserver
To connect, use a VNC client (such as RealVNC or TigerVNC) and enter the IP address of your server followed by the VNC port. Note:
- Display :1 corresponds to TCP port 5901
- Display :2 corresponds to TCP port 5902, and so on.
Result like below should appear. If you've seen this - you're great!
Next step is optional: you may want ro run VNC service automatically. It is easy peasy. Create a service initial file:
cat <<EOT > /etc/systemd/system/vnc.service
[Unit]
Description=VNC Server
After=network.target
[Service]
Type=forking
User=root
PAMName=login
PIDFile=/root/.vnc/%H:1.pid
ExecStartPre=-/usr/bin/vncserver -kill :1 > /dev/null 2>&1
ExecStart=/usr/bin/vncserver
ExecStop=/usr/bin/vncserver -kill :1
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
EOT
Enable and start the service:
systemctl enable vnc
systemctl start vnc
Conclusion
You’ve successfully installed and configured a VNC server on your Linux machine, allowing you to remotely access your server’s graphical desktop environment. This setup enables seamless management of files, software, and settings with a user-friendly GUI interface, which is especially beneficial when you need to perform tasks that are difficult or impossible through a command-line interface alone. By following the steps in this guide, you've also configured the server to run automatically on system startup, ensuring uninterrupted access to the desktop environment without needing to manually start the VNC service each time. Whether you're managing a server remotely or need to access applications running on a headless machine, this VNC setup is a powerful solution that offers both flexibility and convenience for administrators and users alike.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Q: What if I want to use a different desktop environment (e.g., GNOME, KDE)?
A: Replace xfce4 with the appropriate package (e.g., gnome-session, kde-plasma-desktop) and update the startup script accordingly. - Q: Can I change the display port (e.g., from :1 to :2)?
A: Yes, when starting VNC, use vncserver :2 to start on display 2 (port 5902). - Q: Is VNC encrypted by default?
A: No, VNC is not encrypted. It’s recommended to tunnel VNC over SSH for secure usage. - Q: How can I access the server from Windows?
A: Download a VNC client (like RealVNC or TightVNC), enter the server IP and port (e.g., 192.168.1.100:5901), and use the access password you created. - Q: I get a black screen or errors on connection. What should I do?
A: Make sure your desktop environment is correctly set in .vnc/xstartup and the script is executable.
