Dockstar headless remote GUI via NxServer

Testing a remote desktop via SSH. I've installed NxServer and trying this a couple of ways. Simplest is using NxClient with an xwindows profile. I can get it to work but having some issues.

I'm just wondering if anyone else out there has tried yet?

yes tested and working

Yes, I use it with filezilla as a GUI ftp-client with SSL / TLS support.

Works great, but installation was a bit tricky.

I used this tutorial (german, you could use google translator etc..)

You need xvfb and freenx or a vnc server.

http://streamboard.gmc.to/wiki/index.php/Seagate_Dockstar#Eine_Desktopverbindung.28XFCE4.29_.C3.BCber_FreeNX_herstellen

Also XFCE4 works.

If there is an easier way or a debian package for NX server please let me know :-)



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/03/2011 05:01AM by d1dd1.

How is performance on these? Also, are there any tools you normally use under X that make life a lot easier? I'm very comfortable with command line (although screen does make the CLI seem luxurious compared to not having it) and I'm wondering why people would run X on a pogodocksheeva.

All the best,

FZR

I abandoned running NX on the Dockstar Debian cuz it was OK but a bit slow but it is very plugnplay Loaded up VNCSERVER and configured my desktop such that I can choose whatever xorg theme I want. Works much faster. I was able to configure and run 10 VNC sessions with hardly a hit in performance. (only a little bit). I also utilize X11VNC to VNC to my Mimo monitor connected to the Dockstar. Its easy to set up; will post a step by step.

Installation BTW of NX took over an hour with the make install / make stuff from the binaries and utilized almost an entire Gb of my 4Gb stick.

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/6852/ds2gui1.jpg

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/6702/ds2gui2.jpg

http://img816.imageshack.us/img816/7779/ds2gui3.jpg

I've configured my Dockstar with MonoTools for use with a Touchscreen application running off of my Home Automation server. I run the application by typing "mono homeautomation.exe". I can design / modify the screens remotely from the designer.

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/463/pictures1t.jpg

Nice :-)

I had the giant gnome/fluxbox fonts issue when I first installed my Displaylink device. You should be able to adjust this by adding a DisplaySize setting to your Monitor section in xorg.conf ...

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier  "DisplayLinkMonitor"
    DisplaySize  190 115
EndSection

Replace 190x115 by the real Width x Height in millimeters.

-PG

Can anyone explain how to configure a VNC server to use a virtual display (xvfb)?

@petec
Or did you found another solution ?

I used this tutorial but wasn't successful, so I used freeNX

http://streamboard.gmc.to/wiki/index.php/Seagate_Dockstar#Eine_Desktopoberfl.C3.A4che_installieren_und_per_VNC_darauf_connecten

Is there a way to make this work automatically with every boot?

Thanks

Thank you PG.

d1dd1

The german site was very helpful. If you have some xwindows configurations then you can install vncserver or vnc4server. I use vncserver.

Install vncserver (as root):

apt-get install vncserver

Choose your desired window size and color depth, then, as an ordinary user, open a terminal and type:

vncserver -geometry 1024x768 -depth 24

This will prompt you to create a password:

Password:
Verify:

New 'X' desktop is foobar:1

Starting applications specified in /etc/X11/Xsession
Log file is /home/jorey/.vnc/foobar:1.log

Open the VNC viewer on your remote machine, enter the hostname:screen and password (use a hostname or IP that your client machine understands), and your Linux desktop will open in a window! Network speed and processor power will affect performance, but it's amazing how many apps will run fine under VNC. You might not be able to play Frozen Bubble, but you can use productivity applications without any trouble.

To kill the server enter a command similar to this, using the appropriate settings:

vncserver -kill :1

Once you are running your server then use VNC with the IP of the Dockstar ":590X" where X=session number.

Hi petec,
I didn't realize you just wanted a regular vnserver desktop. I posted some basic instructions a couple of months ago - pretty much the same as yours.

You may want to try midori (apt-get install midori) as a web browser as its much lighter on resources than iceweasel. uzbl is also fun :-)

If the vncserver is running its httpd mode you can also connect to http://<dockstarIP>:580X where X is the session number using a java capable browser.

-PG



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/09/2011 08:08AM by petergunn.

Thanks petergunn,

I guess now pushing the Dockstar some or maybe some lack of Mono Development resources. At a point where I have configured the Dockstar with a basic MonoDevelopment package. (in addition to using Novell's Debian Mono base) and MS Visual studio.

Noticing attempts at testing and deploying debug erors on the Dockstar result in crashes leaving me kind of blind.

I've seen the same type of errors documented (in debian) with no real answers though.

Simple application runs for a bit then crashes with VB errors. (probably pushing HW a bit).

Not sure if its because of a lack of maturity of the development base, lack of memory, etc?

I installed vncserver according to petergunn's instructions. It works fine locally (the viewer and Dockstar are on the same home network). However, when I try to connect from outside use ssh (putty) tunnel, it says connected and then disconnected. The same setup works fine for other computers on the home network run Windows/VNC. Does anybody encountered the same problem before and is there a solution?

petec Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thank you PG.
>
> ..................
>
> The german site was very helpful. If you have
> some xwindows configurations then you can install
> vncserver or vnc4server. I use vncserver.
>
> .................

apt-get server cannot find vnc4server for Dockstar. Can you let me know how to installed it? Thanks.
tightvncserver works locally but I have problem over ssh tunnel.

I figured that out. I need to use IPaddr:5901 instead of IPaddr:1 for screen 1.

I use TightVNC, works great. Thanks again !!!

apt-get install tightvncserver