Howto: Remote Desktop to Xubuntu 7.10 the simple way

So, my first "tutorial". This idea spawned after i was trying to get remote access to my Xubuntu machine that i was trying to install Snort on. I did not want to spend 2 hours in a cold serverroom so i thought that remote access would be really sweet. 

So the first thing that came to mind was installing a VNC server. That started out to be a lot more complicated than it should have to be. Then i rememberd that Ubuntu has this preinstalled, so i could use the same package as Ubuntu does. 

This will also let you remote access your current session and its also resumable.

So:

(all text that is cursive should be typed into a terminal window!)

1. Make sure you have Xubuntu installed (prefferably 7.10)

2. Make sure you have it updated to the latest version by typing:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get upgrade

3. Now you should install Vino, you do this by typing:

sudo apt-get install vino

4. This will install vino, after you are done you need to configure it, do this by typing:

sudo vino-preferences

this will launch the vino preferences window:

5. Now check the following:

"Allow other users to view your desktop"

"Allow other users to control your desktop"

"Require the user to enter this password"

Enter a password, this is optional

And uncheck:

"Ask for your confirmation"

This will stop you from having to run all the way to the computer/server that runs Vino and allow yourself to remotely login each time you try to do it.

6. Now start Vino by typing:

sudo vino-session

A message stating that Vino has been started will follow.  Now you can close the terminal.

7.Now download your favorite VNC viewer program:

Two free options:

Real VNC

Thight VNC

Congratulations, your done with setting up a Remote Desktop connection to your Xubuntu installation. The problem with this setup is that everytime you reboot you will have to login manually and start the vino server. If you want more challenging ways to get Remote Access to a Xubuntu machine you should check out the Vnc4 Server and the 51page thread over at Ubuntu Forums.