Posted: 21 Jun 2005

 Instructions for GNOME are next to this icon
 Instructions for KDE are next to this icon

Installing the Application

• There is a real easy utility that we can use to remote control a desktop, but we first need to verify that it has been installed. To do this we will need to launch red carpet.  SYSTEM -> SOFTWARE UPDATE
   N -> SYSTEM -> CONFIGURATION -> RED CARPET
  
  Once you are in the red carpet system, go to the SEARCH tab, choose ALL CHANNELS in the Channel field, type in the kdenetwork3-vnc package, and hit ENTER. If it shows that is it not installed then double click on the file and run the installation.

  

• You can also install via the Install and Remove Software section in Yast.  SYSTEM -> ADMINISTRATOR SETTINGS -> SOFTWARE -> INSTALL AND REMOVE SOFTWARE
   N -> CONTROL PANEL -> YAST2 MODULES -> SOFTWARE -> INSTALL AND REMOVE SOFWARE

  Make sure that the FILTER section is set to search, and then type in kdenetwork3-vnc in the search field and hit ENTER. If it is unchecked, then check it and choose ACCEPT to install the package.

  

• Since these packages are installed with the KDE system, the menu items were automatically created. If you are using KDE you can skip down to the section titled "Running The Application"
   N -> SYSTEM -> REMOTE ACCESS -> DESKTOP SHARING
   N -> SYSTEM -> REMOTE ACCESS -> REMOTE DESKTOP CONNECTION
  
• The package is not a default GNOME package, so we will create some menu items for ease of use by going to SYSTEM -> PERSONAL SETTING -> MENUS. For this example the menu items will be placed under the SYSTEM TOOLS menu.
  
• Right click in the Nautilus (file browser) window and choose CREATE LAUNCHER. In the name field we will put Desktop Sharing. In the comand field we will put krfb. For the icon, click on the icon button and browse out to the /opt/kde3/share/icons/crystalsvg/48x48/apps/krfb.png icon.

  

  ** IMPORTANT ** You may run into an issue where the launchers don't show up right after you create them. A simple workaround is to logout and then log back in. They should then show up.

• Let's follow the same process to create a second one. Right click and choose CREATE LAUNCHER. In the name field we will put Remote Desktop Connection. In the command field we will put krdc. The icon is located at /opt/kde3/share/icons/crystalsvg/48x48/apps/krdc.png.

  

• You should now have your menu items.  PROGRAMS -> SYSTEM TOOLS -> DESKTOP SHARING
   PROGRAMS -> SYSTEM TOOLS -> REMOTE DESKTOP CONNECTION

  

Running the application

• If you have ever used VNC on windows, then these two components will make a lot of sense to you. In fact, the applications themselves run over VNC. The Desktop Sharing component is the equivalent to VNC Server. There is where you set up connections and accept connections to control your desktop. The Remote Desktop Connection is equivalent to the VNC Viewer. This is where you put in the destination for connecting to a VNC location.

  ** NOTE ** These two applications are totally VNC compliant. Therefore you can use the Remote Desktop Connection to connect to VNC commpatable session (like VNC server) and you can also use VNC compatible clients (like VNC viewer) to connect to the Desktop Sharing component.

• On the desktop that you desire to control, simply launch the Desktop Sharing component. You have several options for sending out personal invitations. For this demonstration we will select the CONFIGURE button.

  

• In this dialog I am going to check the first and the last option as well as assign a password. I will also uncheck the third option since I will be making this connection myself and don't want to have to have a dialog box pop up on the workstation asking if I want to accept the connection. I will then click APPLY and OK.

  

• Now if you are using another Linux workstation you can use the Remote Desktop Connection utility to connect to the VNC session. However, VNC viewer will work fine as well. For this demo we are going to be using the Remote Desktop Connection. Put in the IP address or DNS name. Add a :0 (shown in screen below) to the end of the IP address or DNS name. This represents the default display on Linux.

  

• You will then be prompted for the type of connection you are making. Choose the proper connection and choose CONNECT to continue.

  

• If you setup the system to use a password, then you will be prompted for it. After entering the password click OK to continue.

  

• You should now have control of the remote desktop.