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Swartz Center for Computational Neuroscience
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SCCN Lab Information: Computer System FAQ

How can I view and control my workstation screen remotely?

These instructions assume that you have been assigned a workstation in an SCCN office. If you do not have physical access to a workstation, please see How can I view a virtual desktop remotely?

Remote Desktop

From your Linux System Menu, access Preferences/Remote Desktop.

 

Check the first box to allow remote connections.

Uncheck the first box in the security section to allow connections without you having to approve the connection from the console.

Check the box to require a password and enter a password into the field. This step is very important. If you forget to enter a password, your computer will be blocked by UCSD network security.

SSH tunnel

Be sure you have the number (#) you were given in the above vncserver command. Add that number to 5900. Use that for the destinationport in the following command.

$ ssh -f -L 5900:localhost:5900 -N username@workstation.ucsd.edu

where username is your remote username, and workstation is the DNS name of the workstation you use.

Enter your SCCN password.

This tunnel needs to stay running in order for Chicken of the VNC to connect to the remote host securely. This is what the -f flag in the ssh command does. This tunnel will stay running until you log off or restart your Linux workstation. If you try to run this command while the tunnel is already running, you will be notified that port 5900 is already in use.

VNC Viewer

Run the vncviewer command (or choose VNC Viewer from the Gnome or KDE Applications menu).

$ vncviewer

For the host name, type

localhost:5900

If you are not prompted for a password, the SSH tunnel is not working. Make sure your tunnel configuration is properly set up and that you are running your SSH session configured with an SSH tunnel to the correct port.

When you quit the VNC Viewer, the remote desktop stays running. This means that you can reconnect to the same VNC server at a later time, and it will remain in the state until you change the remote desktop settings.

If you are not going to use remote desktop for an extended period of time, please uncheck the Allow others to view your desktop box under Sharing.

Also, if you are no longer assigned to the workstation, remember to uncheck the same box and completey log off.