How to Remotely Control One or More PC’s in Ubuntu?

Posted by Ron ||

July 24, 2009 ||

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Imagine trying to control another desktop while you are comfortably sitting in front of your desktop. There is no magic involved here thanks to Remote desktop mode. This mode helps to control the entire contents of one or more desktops.

The name suitably describes the function. However ensure before you even start enabling this mode that you have an excellent firewall which is configured correctly. Still you might face some security problems.

First step you need to do is to install a VNC client on your system. Download and install TightVNC for Linux from here. After completing the installation, launch the TightVNC Viewer and enter the IP address (or host name) of the remote system in the resulting Connection details dialog and press OK.

If a password is required then enter the same. The screen should load and display the remote desktop. Click on the System and then Preferences and then Remote Desktop on the Gnome top menu. This window will be displayed.

remote desktop settings

To enable the remote desktop mode you need to check the first two boxes under the sharing section.

Under the security section if you select the “Ask you for confirmation” code, then your presence in front of the computer is compulsory in order to allow another person to access your desktop.

If that is not what you want then un-check the box. This is usually done when one is trying to remotely access one of his own computers. For security reasons the second check box should always be checked, and ensure that you enter a secure password. Each time you try to log on you will be prompted for this password.

The following steps help to connect from an Ubuntu Machine:-

Open your terminal. To do so navigate through Applications—>Accessories—>Terminal and then enter the following command: vncviewer full-screen 192.168.2.23:0.
The following message will be displayed prompting for the password. Enter the password. When you see the VNC authentication succeeded message below, you know that everything has gone right.

VNC Viewer version 3.3.7 – built Jul 4 2006 10:04:48 Copyright (C) 2002-2003 RealVNC Ltd. Copyright (C) 1994-2000 AT&T Laboratories Cambridge. See http://www.realvnc.com for information on VNC. VNC server supports protocol version 3.7 (viewer 3.3) Password: VNC authentication succeeded.

If you want to quit VNC Viewer, press ‘F8′ and select Quit viewer.