Choosing the Right VNC Server

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 77 views

Introduction

Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a remote desktop protocol that allows you to access and control a computer desktop from another location. In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing a VNC server on your Ubuntu 12.04 computer. We will cover the installation of three popular VNC servers: TightVNC, RealVNC, and TigerVNC. We will also provide instructions on how to configure each server and connect to it remotely.

Choosing the Right VNC Server

There are several VNC servers available for Ubuntu 12.04, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Here are three popular options:

TightVNC: TightVNC is a lightweight and fast VNC server that is easy to install and configure. It is a good option for those who want a simple and reliable VNC server.
RealVNC: RealVNC is a commercial VNC server that is widely used in enterprise environments. It offers advanced features such as encryption and authentication.
TigerVNC: TigerVNC is a high-performance VNC server that is designed for use in high-traffic environments. It offers advanced features such as compression and encryption.

Installing TightVNC

TightVNC is a popular and easy-to-use VNC server that is available in the Ubuntu 12.04 repositories. Here are the steps to install TightVNC:

Step 1: Update the Package List

Before installing TightVNC, you need to update the package list to ensure that you have the latest version of the package.

sudo apt-get update

Step 2: Install TightVNC

To install TightVNC, use the following command:

sudo apt-get install tightvncserver

Step 3: Configure TightVNC

To configure TightVNC, you need to create a password for the VNC server. You can do this by running the following command:

tightvncserver -geometry 1024x768 -depth 24 -localhost

This will create a new VNC server with a resolution of 1024x768 and a depth of 24 bits. You will be prompted to enter a password for the VNC server.

Step 4: Connect to TightVNC

To connect to TightVNC, you need to use a VNC client such as TightVNC Viewer or Remmina. Here are the steps to connect to TightVNC:

Open the VNC client and enter the IP address or hostname of the VNC server.
Enter the password for the VNC server.
Click Connect to connect to the VNC server.

Installing RealVNC

RealVNC is a commercial VNC server that is widely used in enterprise environments. Here are the steps to install RealVNC:

Step 1: Download the RealVNC Installer

To install RealVNC, you need to download the RealVNC installer from the RealVNC website.

Step 2: Install RealVNC

To install RealVNC, follow the instructions in the RealVNC installer.

Step 3: Configure RealVNC

To configure RealVNC, you need to create a password for the VNC server. You can do this by running the following command:

vncserver -geometry 1024x768 -depth 24 -localhost

This will create a new VNC server with a resolution of 1024x768 and a depth of 24 bits. You will be prompted to enter a password for the VNC server.

Step 4: Connect to RealVNC

To connect to RealVNC, you need to use a VNC client such as TightVNC Viewer or Remmina. Here are the steps to connect to RealVNC:

Open the VNC client and enter the IP address or hostname of the VNC server.
Enter the password for the VNC server.
Click Connect to connect to the VNC server.

Installing TigerVNC

TigerVNC is a high-performance VNC server that is designed for use in high-traffic environments. Here are the steps to install TigerVNC:

Step 1: Update the Package List

Before installing TigerVNC, you need to update the package list to ensure that you have the latest version of the package.

sudo apt-get update

Step 2: Install TigerVNC

To install TigerVNC, use the following command:

sudo apt-get install tigervnc-server

Step 3: Configure TigerVNC

To configure TigerVNC, you need to create a password for the VNC server. You can do this by running the following command:

vncserver -geometry 1024x768 -depth 24 -localhost

This will create a new VNC server with a resolution of 1024x768 and a depth of 24 bits. You will be prompted to enter a password for the VNC server.

Step 4: Connect to TigerVNC

To connect to TigerVNC, you need to use a VNC client such as TightVNC Viewer or Remmina. Here are the steps to connect to TigerVNC:

Open the VNC client and enter the IP address or hostname of the VNC server.
Enter the password for the VNC server.
Click Connect to connect to the VNC server.

Conclusion

In this article, we have covered the installation of three popular VNC servers: TightVNC, RealVNC, and TigerVNC. We have also provided instructions on how to configure each server and connect to it remotely. We hope that this article has been helpful in getting you started with VNC on your Ubuntu 12.04 computer.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues while installing or configuring VNC, here are some common troubleshooting steps:

Check the package list: Make sure that the package list is up to date by running the following command:

sudo apt-get update

* **Check the installation**: Make sure that the VNC server is installed correctly by running the following command: ```bash

dpkg -l | grep vnc

Check the configuration: Make sure that the VNC server is configured correctly by running the following command:

vncserver -list


*   **Check the connection**: Make sure that the VNC client is connected to the correct IP address or hostname of the VNC server.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about VNC:


What is VNC?: VNC stands for Virtual Network Computing. It is a remote desktop protocol that allows you to access and control a computer desktop from another location.


How do I install VNC?: To install VNC, you need to install a VNC server on your computer. You can install a VNC server using the package manager or by downloading the VNC server installer from the VNC website.


How do I configure VNC?: To configure VNC, you need to create a password for the VNC server and configure the VNC server settings. You can do this by running the following command:



vncserver -geometry 1024x768 -depth 24 -localhost

How do I connect to VNC?: To connect to VNC, you need to use a VNC client such as TightVNC Viewer or Remmina. Here are the steps to connect to VNC:
1. Open the VNC client and enter the IP address or hostname of the VNC server.
2. Enter the password for the VNC server.
3. Click Connect to connect to the VNC server.
  VNC Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions =====================================

Introduction

Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a remote desktop protocol that allows you to access and control a computer desktop from another location. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about VNC.

Q: What is VNC?

A: VNC stands for Virtual Network Computing. It is a remote desktop protocol that allows you to access and control a computer desktop from another location.

Q: How does VNC work?

A: VNC works by allowing you to connect to a remote computer and access its desktop. The remote computer runs a VNC server, which listens for incoming connections. When you connect to the VNC server, you can access the remote computer's desktop and control it as if you were sitting in front of it.

Q: What are the benefits of using VNC?

A: The benefits of using VNC include:

Remote access: VNC allows you to access and control a computer desktop from anywhere in the world.
Flexibility: VNC allows you to access and control a computer desktop from any device, including laptops, desktops, and mobile devices.
Security: VNC allows you to access and control a computer desktop securely, using encryption and authentication.
Cost-effective: VNC is a cost-effective solution for remote access and control, as it eliminates the need for expensive remote access software.

Q: What are the different types of VNC servers?

A: There are several different types of VNC servers, including:

TightVNC: TightVNC is a lightweight and fast VNC server that is easy to install and configure.
RealVNC: RealVNC is a commercial VNC server that is widely used in enterprise environments.
TigerVNC: TigerVNC is a high-performance VNC server that is designed for use in high-traffic environments.

Q: How do I install VNC?

A: To install VNC, you need to install a VNC server on your computer. You can install a VNC server using the package manager or by downloading the VNC server installer from the VNC website.

Q: How do I configure VNC?

A: To configure VNC, you need to create a password for the VNC server and configure the VNC server settings. You can do this by running the following command:

vncserver -geometry 1024x768 -depth 24 -localhost

Q: How do I connect to VNC?

A: To connect to VNC, you need to use a VNC client such as TightVNC Viewer or Remmina. Here are the steps to connect to VNC:

Open the VNC client and enter the IP address or hostname of the VNC server.
Enter the password for the VNC server.
Click Connect to connect to the VNC server.

Q: What are the common VNC errors?

A: Some common VNC errors include:

Connection refused: This error occurs when the VNC server is not running or is not listening for incoming connections.
Authentication failed: This error occurs when the password for the VNC server is incorrect.
Connection timed out: This error occurs when the VNC client is unable to connect to the VNC server within a certain time period.

Q: How do I troubleshoot VNC errors?

A: To troubleshoot VNC errors, you can try the following steps:

Check the VNC server status: Make sure that the VNC server is running and listening for incoming connections.
Check the VNC client settings: Make sure that the VNC client is configured correctly and is trying to connect to the correct IP address or hostname of the VNC server.
Check the network connection: Make sure that the network connection between the VNC client and the VNC server is stable and secure.

Conclusion

In this article, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about VNC. We hope that this article has been helpful in getting you started with VNC and troubleshooting common VNC errors.