Accessing X accross a network in linux.

[RedBeard0531]

How do I "serve" my X server from my file-server running Mandrake in my basement, to my comp running gentoo in my room. Ive already established an ssh conection, but when i tried running "startx" it fails /w a bunch of errors. I have some basic questions b-sides how to get it working.
1) when i run "xf86config" do i setit up for my machine or the file-server
2) can I have X up on my machine at the same time as this
3) can I have X up on that machine at the same time as this

THnx

 

[RedBeard0531]

Plz help, I no u'all do it /w serveres.

 

[Sunner]

Im not sure what you wanna do, sounds like you wanna run some GUI apps on the server, and have them displayed on your Gentoo box?

 

[smp]

Originally posted by: Sunner
Im not sure what you wanna do, sounds like you wanna run some GUI apps on the server, and have them displayed on your Gentoo box?

Sounds like he wants to have something similar to a remote desktop app commonly found on windows machines (timbuktu, remote administrator etc) that lets him have his desktop in a window on a remote machine. There are ways to do this, you have to get a client that can connect to your Xserver and run it on the gentoo box. Something like that, I've only heard ot it, never done it.

Running remote X session on win9x/nt/2k (I know this isn't what you want, but I posted it anyways)

Remote X apps mini howto

The reason it's not working from SSH is because all that that is is a terminal, console ..... the xserver on your basement box is setup with $ resolution and $ colours and it's specific to your setup downstairs, when you do a startx from an SSH terminal it's just like entering the command at the CLI downstairs, your xserver down there doesn't know you're upstairs on a gentoo box.

edit: or that's my guess anyways .... I think

 

[manly]

Remote X is rather tricky/painful, especially if security is a concern (I realize it often isn't on a home LAN).

I'd recommend VNC, which is very easily tunneled over SSH, a breeze to setup, and cross platform to boot. Check out an offshoot called TightVNC, which is supposed to be highly optimized for performance.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Tunnel X over ssh. I believe its a -X flag. It should set the $DISPLAY variable for you and everything. Once you have that ssh session open, run your applications. It will be pretty much as secure as vnc over ssh.