How to Install and Configure TigerVNC Server on CentOS 8
Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a remote desktop technology that allows users to access and control a CentOS server through a graphical user interface (GUI). This is especially useful for system administrators who prefer GUI-based management instead of working exclusively from the command line.
In this tutorial, we’ll walk through the installation and configuration of TigerVNC Server on CentOS 8, a fast and lightweight VNC implementation. You’ll learn how to configure secure remote desktop access, manage multiple VNC users, and run graphical sessions for efficient server administration.
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 grant sudo privileges.
adduser username
passwd username
usermod -aG wheel usernameConfiguring TigerVNC Server
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
Conclusion
TigerVNC Server is a reliable and lightweight solution for enabling remote desktop access on CentOS 8. By installing a graphical desktop environment and properly configuring TigerVNC, administrators can securely manage servers through a GUI. Supporting multiple user sessions and SSH tunneling makes this approach suitable for both individual and multi-user CentOS server environments.
FAQ
- Q1: Can I use TigerVNC Server on CentOS 7 or other Linux distributions?
A: Yes, TigerVNC is compatible with many Linux distributions including CentOS 7, Fedora, and Ubuntu. Installation steps may slightly differ depending on the distro. - Q2: How do I secure my VNC connection to prevent unauthorized access?
A: It is recommended to tunnel your VNC connection over SSH to encrypt traffic. Avoid using the root user for VNC sessions and always set strong passwords for each user. - Q3: Can multiple users connect to TigerVNC Server simultaneously?
A: Yes, by assigning different display ports (like :1, :2, etc.) to each user, multiple simultaneous VNC sessions can run independently. - Q4: What desktop environments can I use with TigerVNC on CentOS 8?
A: GNOME is commonly used, but you can also configure TigerVNC to work with KDE, XFCE, or other desktop environments by modifying the session settings. - Q5: How do I start or stop the TigerVNC server?
A: Use systemctl start vncserver@:display and systemctl stop vncserver@:display commands, where display corresponds to the user’s VNC port (e.g., :2).
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