How to Install & Configure VNC Server with GDM on Solaris10

VNC (Virtual Network Computing) is a way to access and control the desktop of a remote computer. For this functionality the remote computer must be running VNC server software. The OpenSolaris 2008.05 binary distribution or Solaris10 Companion CD includes the SUNWxvnc package for the Solaris operating system. Once this package is installed, you can connect to the Solaris operating system from any other operating system that has a VNC client installed.

alternatively you can download SUNWxvnc package from below link

http://en.sourceforge.jp/projects/sfnet_solarispackages/downloads/solaris10-508-x86_packages/SUNWxvnc.tgz

1. Check that the VNC Server is Installed

This should be present as it is part of the 2008.05 binary distribution, but I checked anyway.

# pkg info SUNWxvnc
          Name: SUNWxvnc
       Summary: X11/VNC server
         State: Installed
     Authority: opensolaris.org (preferred)
       Version: 4.1.2
 Build Release: 5.11
        Branch: 0.91
Packaging Date: Fri Jun 13 17:49:25 2008
          Size: 6.3 MB
          FMRI: pkg:/SUNWxvnc@4.1.2,5.11-0.91:20080613T174925Z

2. Add this line to /etc/services

vnc-server      5900/tcp                        # Xvnc

3. Edit /etc/X11/gdm/custom.conf as below

[xdmcp]
Enable=true
[security]
DisallowTCP=false
AllowRoot=true
AllowRemoteRoot=true

4. Enable the Services

# svcadm enable xvnc-inetd
# svcs xvnc-inetd
STATE          STIME    FMRI
online         16:22:30 svc:/application/x11/xvnc-inetd:default
# svcadm enable gdm
# svcs gdm
STATE          STIME    FMRI
online         14:43:13 svc:/application/graphical-login/gdm:default

5. Connect to the Display with a VNC Client

You should now be able to connect to <hostname>:5900 and you should see the gdm login screen.

If you cannot connect, try stopping & starting the services:

# svcadm disable xvnc-inetd gdm
# svcadm enable xvnc-inetd gdm

if you want the VNC session to persist if you exit the VNC client then check my next post....