From DIT NetSoc

Contents 1 COMING SOON! NX! 1.1 Creating a virtual desktop 1.1.1 Tools 1.1.2 Connecting to Bender 1.1.3 Starting the virtual desktop session 1.2 Accessing your virtual desktop 1.2.1 Setting up and SSH Tunnel 1.2.2 Connecting using VNCViewer 1.3 Notes 1.4 FAQ's

COMING SOON! NX!

Bender has been gone for quite some time. We recently acquired some new servers for remote desktops which will use NX. This is a lot easier to use than VNC and is much faster.

Watch this space!

Creating a virtual desktop

Tools

Tools needed: Putty.exe and VNCViewer.exe

Connecting to Bender

So first we login to the machine using putty.. use bender.netsoc.dit.ie

This should bring up a terminal for the server prompting you for a username and password Follow the instructions below

Starting the virtual desktop session

When you have logged in, you have to start the virtual desktop session This is done using the vncserver command. The geometry of 1024x768 is really a user preference but for this example we use 1024x768.

The server will give you a desktop number. This number is unique to you and can only be accessed by you, so dont forget it.

This ends the creation part of a virtual desktop

Accessing your virtual desktop

For security reasons the only access to the virtual desktops is through means of an SSH Tunnel. This guide will show you how to tunnel.

Setting up and SSH Tunnel

Using putty do the following

Now for the tricky part. We have to create the ssh tunnel. The source port is made up of 5900 + the desktop number you were given when creating the desktop. For example if you were given something like "New 'X' desktop is bender:7" Your desktop number is 7 To access this desktop your source port is 5907 (5900 + 7 = 5907) Destination contains the name of the machine + : + your source port Remember sourceport and the end of the destination will always be the same!

Login with your normal username and password. This Terminal (putty) must remain open for you to access your remote desktop!

Connecting using VNCViewer

Using VNCViewer do the following

You should now see your desktop

Notes

   * You are NOT allowed to run more than one virtual desktop by means of the VNC server (Multiple desktops in Gnome etc are fine)
   * If you are experiencing slow response times try switching to another server (please remember to kill your last one!)
   * All traffic is severly logged and checked! Any attempts on hacking you will be disusered and reported to the ICT dept for misuse!
   * We have not imposed many restrictions on the servers so please do not put us in a position to impose any more!

FAQ's

For FAQ's, please see here