Running graphical programs on a remote server

This tutorial walks through setting up a remote VNC session to control the desktop of your VPS. Using it, you can control programs like Firefox, Google Chrome. My favourite use is running Firefox to download a huge file remotely from a file sharing site like Hotfile. Downloading it normally on my home PC takes ages, during which Hotfile usually disconnects me.

Steps:

Install an OS on your VPS.

Update and upgrade your packages:

# apt-get update
# apt-get upgrade

Installing for Gnome:

apt-get install ubuntu-desktop
apt-get install gdm
service gdm start
apt-get install tightvncserver
vncserver :1 -geometry 1366x768
vncserver -kill :1
vi  ~/.vnc/xstartup

Add the following to the bottom of that file:

gnome-session &

Now start the server:

vncserver :1 -geometry 1024x768

Install TightVNC Windows client on your PC.

Run TightVNC Viewer, and add the following details, click Connect:

• IP Address: [your server’s main IP]
• Port: 5901 (or 5901, 5902 for desktop :2, etc)
• Password: [password you set earlier]

Instructions for KDE:

apt-get install kubuntu-desktop
apt-get install kdm
service kdm start
apt-get install tightvncserver
vncserver :1 -geometry 1366x768
vncserver -kill :1
vi  ~/.vnc/xstartup

Add the following to the bottom of that file:

startkde &

Now start the server:

vncserver :1 -geometry 1024x768

Install TightVNC Windows client on your PC.

Run TightVNC Viewer, and add the following details, click Connect:

• IP Address: [your server’s main IP]
• Port: 5901 (or 5901, 5902 for desktop :2, etc)
• Password: [password you set earlier]