This is to setup VNC to provide access to the local default X console as if you are sitting on the physical console. (These instructions are not for providing level 5 display for individual users):

CONFIGURING VNC FOR RHEL 5 SERVERS
Pratul – 04/14/2008

To set up VNC to control the native X server, follow these steps:

****STEP1. On the system you want to control with VNC, run the program vncpasswd as root to set a VNC password. You will use this password when connecting with vncviewer or another VNC remote control program.

****STEP2. Edit the file /etc/X11/xorg.conf on RHEL 5

[A] Create the section called Module in the end of the file and add following lines:
Section "Module"
Load "glx"
Load "dbe"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "type1"
Load "dri"
Load "vnc"
EndSection
Make sure this is on a new line before EndSection.

[B] In section called Screen, add this line:
Option "passwordFile" "/root/.vnc/passwd"

Make sure this is on a new line before EndSection.


****STEP3 – Allow the ports in Firewall

1. SSH to the server and Run the following tool:
2. # system-config-securitylevel
3. In the "Other ports", please add a range as in below example. Note that those will be TCP ports as below:

5900-5904:tcp

4. Save and close the tool then restart firewall:
# service iptables restart

****STEP4: Make sure using chkconfig that vncserver is enabled for level 2,3,4,5. Then RESTART the machine.

Note: If you suspect the firewall blocking, then disable the firewall altogether and test VNC if it works. I use tightVNC to test.

VNC will typically use port 59xx, where "xx" is the console number. Use the command netstat -na | less to see the ports that are open on the system. Look in the 5xxx range for VNC.

good advice, but a forum isn't really the place for it.Assuming this is 100% your own work, why not post it to our tutorials subsite?

Solutions are good on forums because people can add to them or inform you of their special cases. No?

One thing about this particular vnc solution is it works on RHEL3 and RHEL4 as well, however i've noticed that on RHEL4 i get a refresh issue in that i have to continuesly move my mouse to get updates and i'd love to know if there is an easy fix for this. I don't see that on RHEL 3 or 5 boxes at all. :|

When using this setup on RHEL5.1 I get a tightvnc error on my windows box saying "error waiting for server message". The symptom is that the local display on my RHEL machine goes blank for a very short time, then I get the error on my window box, then, when the display comes back on my linux box the user has been logged out and the display is back to the login screen. Any ideas on how to fix this?

Thanks,

please don't drag up dead threads. your problem = your thread.

hey guys , i want to connect from a windows client system to a linux server remotely, is vnc viewer the right tool to connect remotely . please anybody send me details of what i have to do apart from installing vnc server rpm in linux and installing vnc viewer in windows , especially how to forward ports in the router.

please don't drag up dead threads. your problem = your thread.

sorry dude i didn't see posted dates , i am new to this forum , please help if possible

please start a new thread. or try searching a little longer before asking.