How to Install TigerVNC Server on CentOS 8
Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a remote desktop technology that enables users to access and control a server or computer through a graphical user interface (GUI) over the network. This is especially useful for system administrators and users who prefer managing servers through a desktop environment instead of the command line.
In this tutorial, we’ll guide you step-by-step through the installation and configuration of TigerVNC Server on CentOS 8—a fast and lightweight VNC implementation. You’ll learn how to set up user sessions, configure access securely, and start remote desktop services for easier server management and productivity.
Installing a graphical desktop environment
At this stage, it is assumed to work under the root user.
By default, CentOS 8 does not have a graphical user interface, and it is required to connect to the server via VNC. So let's install Gnome.
dnf groupinstall "Server with GUI"Installing TigerVNC
Now let's install the TigerVNC server.
dnf install tigervnc-serverTo connect to the server via VNC, it is better not to use the root user, because it is not safe. In addition, some functions may not work correctly. Therefore, we will create a regular user for connection, set a password for it and add it to the wheel group. This will give him sudo authority.
adduser username
passwd username
usermod -aG wheel usernameTigerVNC configuration
Now we need to assign each user an individual port for connection. To do this, open the file:
nano /etc/tigervnc/vncserver.usersAdd the following line to the end. You can put as many users with ports there as you need. The last digit of the port is shown here. The first part will always be 590x. In this case, we will set port 5902 for the user username. The port for each user must be unique.
:2=usernameNow open the default config file.
nano /etc/tigervnc/vncserver-config-defaultsAdd the default configuration here:
session=gnomeNow you need to log in with the newly created user.
su - usernameSet a password for this TigerVNC server user. If you choose a view-only password, you won't be able to control your computer, only watch.
vncpasswdNow start the TigerVNC service and add it to autostart.
sudo systemctl enable --now vncserver@:2Remote Desktop Connection via VNC
Any VNC client application can be used to connect. Enter your server's public IP address and port 5902 as the VNC server.
Enter your VNC password and you will see your server's remote desktop.
To secure the connection - see How to Establish VNC Connection Over SSH tunnel in CentOS 8</a
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