VNC (Virtual Network Connection) allows you to run graphically intensive applications directly on a remote machine rather than trying to forward an Xsession back to your local host. VNC clients are available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. CGD is using TigerVNC for both the server and clients.
Download
For CGD Mac users, you can install TigerVNC through Self Service.
Systems currently available as VNC servers:
Creating a VNC Session
Once you've installed a VNC client on your local host, connect to one of our general use servers.
For this example we're using thorodin.cgd.ucar.edu
1) ssh to the server:
ssh -X -Y thorodin.cgd.ucar.edu
2) Launch the vnc server:
vncserver
3) Set your vncpasswd if prompted.
Make note of the new desktop, it will be something like "thorodin.cgd.ucar.edu:1"
Leave your ssh session running, you'll need it when you're finished
Start the VNC client on your remote system
Start TigerVNC on your local system and connect to the server.
Enter the full hostname, a colon, and the port number as depicted in item 4 of the image above.
In this case, thorodin.cgd.ucar.edu:1 but your case may vary depending on the server used in item 1 of the image above.
Enter your VNC password:
Now you have a remote graphical connection to thorodin. Run your application such as Matlab or IDL.
The virtual desktop can be resized by dragging the corners.
NOTE: VNC sessions are killed daily at 2:00am localtime. If you need to runs jobs longer, create them as usual with 'screen' or 'nohup'.
VNC Password Management
Your VNC password won’t update when you update your CIT password, since they are not tied together. This may be something we look into in the future.
For now, you can ssh into the host where you are running vncserver and use the command “vncpasswd” to set your vnc password again.