Vnc

Many CHG users now use VNC as their preferred virtual Unix desktop. VNC is similar to NX in that it is a virtual desktop hosted on rain where you have access to a graphical /home environment as well as the ability to open terminals to SSH to other servers in the CHG Unix environment.

Getting Started

[Email Libby] and let her know you'd like to use VNC. She will set you up with a VNC port number and let you know what it is. Then, SSH into rain as yourself and enter the command

[[user]@rain ~]# vncpasswd
Password:
Verify:

This is the password you will use for accessing VNC, along with your port number. This password is different than your password to log on to rain.

Windows Users

Download TightVNC here. Choose the 32-bit or 64-bit version based on your operating system. If you are not sure, ask Libby. When installing, make sure that you uncheck the option for VNCserver. You only need the VNC Viewer client.

Once installed, open TightVNC and enter rain.geog.ucsb.edu:[vnc port number] into the VNC Server field, then enter your VNC password when prompted.

Mac Users

In Finder, hit Command+K, then enter vnc://[username]@rain.geog.ucsb.edu:[your vnc port number] into the server field, then enter your VNC password.

Copy & Paste

If you're having trouble copying and pasting in your VNC session, type

[[user]@rain ~]# vncconfig &

into a terminal within your VNC session and keep the resulting VNC Config window open.

Notes

• Running the command

gnome-session-properties 

and unchecking the package that wants to update might resolve the annoying popup window issue - still need to investigate further to make sure vncserver and its associated gnome setup is properly updated.

• A possible solution within your VNC session for resizing your desktop can be found here.