I manage several machines remotely and sometimes it is helpful to use X for this. The problem is there is a huge lag in time depending on the content of the X window and where I am in the country. I don't need 24 bit graphics remotely, but would like to retain that locally. Is there any way to set X to be a different resolution and/or bitdepth on display <ipaddr>:x(remote) from display localhost:0(local).?

Sure.

If you're on Linux, you can always hand-edit your xorg.conf file:

man 5 xorg.conf (Xorg distributions)
... or
man XF86Config (XFree86 distributions)

There are lots of other methods, too. For example, if you're running SuSE Linux, you use "SAX2" to auto-configure X for you. You can run sax2 from the command line with the "--lowres" option, e.g.:

su - root
sax2 --lowres

Type "sax2 --help" for a complete list of options.


'Hope that helps .. PSM

I am running X remotely through a network, with ssh.

My real question is:How do I set up display :0 (local display) to be a different bit depth than display :10 (remote display).

See, I want to reduce the incredible lag time (10-15 seconds) for the X network interface. I have found that reducing the bitdepth helps tremendously. I am willing to sacrifice crummy graphics remotely but I would like to retain them locally!

I run Mandrake 10.1 and Xfree86 and I know about the XF86Config file, but I don't know how to make the X windows I run through the internet a different bit depth than I run locally through the graphics card.

Is this possible to do?

If not is there any other way to speed up the X interface?

Hi -

Although I know a fair amount about X, I'm afraid I don't have any good advice for your particular scenario. Sorry!

A couple of notes that might help:

1. As you're aware, you can manually edit XF86Config and hard-code your server to use one or another
display resolution (i.e. hard-code one or another specific "ModeLine"). Perhaps you can test different
settings, and one or another might be more responsive.

2. Quite some time ago, I recall an initiative for "Low Bandwidth X". I don't recall if anything came of it,
I don't know if your system would support it and I don't know if it would be a suitable solution for you.

But here's a link, if you're interested:
http://www.paulandlesley.org/faqs/LBX-HOWTO.html

3. Finally, here is a neat tutorial that may or may not give you a few tips that you're not already aware of:
http://www.vanemery.com/Linux/XoverSSH/X-over-SSH2.html

Apologies that I couldn't be of more help, and please post back if you find anything interesting.

Your .. PSM