How to Configure a VNC Server in Linux
Controlling your computer remotely is just cool. Linux users have long used SSH to control their computers from afar using the command line, but it's also possible to do this in a GUI way using VNC. An open protocol with clients available for all major operating systems (Linux, Mac and Windows), there's no better way to control your computer remotely than VNC. Happily, setting up a VNC sever is easy in most Linux distributions.
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Instructions
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Find out if VNC is already installed on your Linux distro. Users of Ubuntu and Fedora, two of the more common distros, already have VNC servers installed and don't need to install anything.
Not running one of these two mainstream distros? Run a search in your distro's package manager for VNC clients---if you're running Gnome, look for "vinagre"; if you're running KDE look for "kfrb." If the packages aren't already installed, install them using your distro's tools. -
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Configure VNC. How to do this varies depending on which desktop you're using. Gnome users can click "System," then "Preferences," then "Remote Desktop," to bring up the configuration window; KDE users should click "System Settings," then "Sharing," then "Desktop Sharing," then "Configure," to bring up the dialogue. Allow users to see your desktop by clicking the appropriate box and then adding a password.
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Test the configuration. Using another computer on the network, attempt to connect to your IP with a VNC client by entering the computer's IP address (find the IP address by typing "ifconfig" at a terminal.) If all went well, the desktop of the computer with the server installed should pop up as expected. Congratulations!
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Tips & Warnings
If problems persist, configure the network's router to allow VNC transfers. Consult the router's documentation for details.
