'Ubuntu RealVNC' - How to Set Up VNC Server on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04

If you're looking for a secure way to access your Ubuntu machine remotely, you've come to the right place. In this tutorial, we'll show you how to set up a VNC server on your Ubuntu machine and connect to it securely.

Why Use a Non-Root Sudo User?

Before we begin, it's important to note that using a non-root sudo user for security reasons is recommended. This will help protect your system from potential vulnerabilities. If you need help creating a sudo user, you can refer to our tutorial on the topic.

Choosing Your VPS or Raspberry Pi

For my server, I'm using a cheap VPS with high RAM from Contabo. You can also use a raspberry pi if you prefer. The important thing is that your machine is running Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter any issues while setting up the VNC server, you may see an error message stating 'Failed to execute child process ?dbus-launch? (No such file or directory)'. This issue can be resolved by ensuring that the dbus-daemon is running on your system.

Configuring VNC with Different Desktop Environments

VNC allows you to configure it to use different desktop environments, including Deepin Desktop Environment (DDE), KDE Plasma Desktop, and more. We'll walk you through the process of setting up VNC with each of these environments in this tutorial.

Step 1: Installing the vnc4server Package

To set up your VNC server, you'll need to install the vnc4server package. This can be done using the following command:

`sudo apt-get install vnc4server`

Step 2: Setting Up the VNC Server

Once the package is installed, you'll need to set up the VNC server. You can do this by running the following command:

`vnc4server -geometry 1024x768 :1`

This will start the VNC server and allow you to connect to it.

Step 3: Setting Up SSH Tunneling

To ensure that your VNC connection is secure, we recommend setting up an SSH tunnel. This can be done by using the following command:

`ssh -L 5900:localhost:5900 user@remote_machine`

This will set up a tunnel between your local machine and the remote machine, allowing you to connect to the VNC server securely.

Step 4: Establishing a Secure Connection

Once you have set up SSH tunneling, you can establish a secure connection to the VNC desktop. You can do this by using a VNC client and connecting to the VNC server at port 5900.

In conclusion, setting up a VNC server on Ubuntu is a relatively straightforward process. By following these steps, you'll be able to access your Ubuntu machine remotely and securely. Remember to always use a non-root sudo user for security reasons and consider using SSH tunneling to encrypt your connection.

Ubuntu realvnc