Install a VNC Server on Debian or Ubuntu | Hostvento Knowledge Base

VNC (Virtual Network Computing) lets you open the graphical desktop of a remote Linux server. A desktop environment and a display manager must be installed first.

Step 1: Install the VNC server

TightVNC is one of the options. Run as root:

apt-get install tightvncserver

Step 2: Start it

vncserver

Enter a password for VNC. It must be 6 to 8 characters, and longer passwords are cut to 8. It is different from your Linux password. You can also set an optional view-only password.

The server creates a desktop and shows its number. For example :1 uses port 5901, :2 uses 5902, and so on.

Step 3: Install a client

Install a VNC client on your computer. TightVNC has a Windows client at tightvnc.com, and other VNC clients also work.

Step 4: Enter the address

In the client enter the server IP followed by the desktop number:

203.0.113.10:1

Step 5: Connect

Click Connect and enter your VNC password. The desktop of the server opens.

Warning: VNC traffic is not encrypted. Do not open port 5901 to the whole internet. Use an SSH tunnel instead: ssh -L 5901:localhost:5901 user@your-server-ip, then connect to localhost:1.

Change the screen size

The default is 1024x768. Stop the desktop and start it again with a new size:

vncserver -kill :1
vncserver -geometry 1920x1080

Quick recap

Install tightvncserver, run vncserver and set a password.
Connect to IP:1 (port 5901), best through an SSH tunnel.