[Ubuntu] How to install VNC for access to the server with Ubuntu 16.04

William

VNC is a graphical desktop sharing system to access another computer remotely. When installed on server with Ubuntu 16.04 it provides desktop access to the server.

Requirements:
Virtualization server with Ubuntu 16.04 installed.
Root access via SSH.

1. When connected to the server, update current packages list and upgrade them:

apt-get update

apt-get upgrade

2. Install the required packages for the VNC connection (choose one):

If you want to install all possible packages:

apt-get install ubuntu-desktop gnome-panel gnome-settings-daemon metacity nautilus gnome-terminal

If you want to install only the essential packages:

apt-get install --no-install-recommends ubuntu-desktop gnome-panel gnome-settings-daemon metacity nautilus gnome-terminal

3. Essential step is to stop and then disable the NetworkManager service. With this service active the server would not be accessible:

systemctl stop NetworkManager.service

systemctl disable NetworkManager.service

4. Install vncserver packets:

apt-get install vnc4server

5. After the vncserver packets are installed, start the vncserver service. After initiation, the console will require you to provide a password for VNC connection and repeat it (up to 8 characters):

vncserver :1

You will receive the following message:

xauth:  file /root/.Xauthority does not exist

New 'localhost:1 (root)' desktop is localhost:1

Creating default startup script /root/.vnc/xstartup
Starting applications specified in /root/.vnc/xstartup
Log file is /root/.vnc/localhost:1.log

6. Afterwards stop the vncserver service, since configuration files have been created, but we have to adjust few more things:

vncserver -kill :1

7. Edit the ~/.vnc/xstartup file (for this we use nano, however you can use alternate text editor).

nano ~/.vnc/xstartup

The mentioned file contents should be edited into following:

    #!/bin/sh
    # Uncomment the following two lines for normal desktop:
    # unset SESSION_MANAGER
    # exec /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc
    [ -x /etc/vnc/xstartup ] && exec /etc/vnc/xstartup
    [ -r $HOME/.Xresources ] && xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
    xsetroot -solid grey
    vncconfig -iconic &
    x-terminal-emulator -geometry 80x24+10+10 -ls -title "$VNCDESKTOP Desktop" &
    x-window-manager &
    gnome-panel &
    gnome-settings-daemon &
    metacity &
    nautilus &

8. After saving changes to ~/.vnc/xstartup, start the vncserver service once more:

vncserver :1

9. Now the VNC access to the server is possible. In addition we recommend to set up your crontab, so that after server reboot the vncservice would start automatically:

crontab -e

9.1. In the bottom of opened cron task file add the following line:

@reboot /usr/bin/vncserver :1

After saving the changes to file everything is complete. For accessing VNC via various VNC clients use the following address:

server_ip:5901 (123.456.789.0:5901) and the password that you have set during 5th step.

mytipi

Got error " No Contab for root"

Valentine

mytipi said:

Got error " No Contab for root"

That means Crontab is not existed for root user. You can create it with:

crontab -e -u root

mytipi

After install VNC then reboot the server, I can connect  vnc and putty, please help.

Regina

Hey,

The issue is related to the last Ubuntu update, when after reboot SSH connection is refused. The recommendation is to avoid server reboot until it will be solved.

Just create a support ticket if your SSH connection is not available.