VNC connecting to existing session?

[fs5]

Is there a flavor of VNC that allows me to connect to an existing session in linux? For example WinVNC allows you to control your box without logging in again.
the closest thing I've found is x0rfbserver, but it's homepage, http://www.hexonet.de/software/x0rfbserver/ seems to be down

 

[JustMike]

Since VNC needs to create it's own X server connection in order to work, it would have to be tied to the X server that the current console session is using. While not impossible, I am not aware of anything that will allow you to do this. Presumably, it would require code modification to the X server itself.

 

[fs5]

I think the way x0rfbserver works is just by polling the display and pass keyboard/mouse commands through to the X server. I don't think any modification of the X server is needed... too bad x0rfbserver doesn't seem to be updated, I found it on icewalkers

 

[JustMike]

Isn't that slow? I obviously haven't tried it (your link doesn't work, BTW) and I don't like the idea of that in the first place.

I generally create a VNC session and do stuff within it that I might want to reconnect elsewhere. I know it's an inconvenience, but it works for the most part.

 

[CTho9305]

The way I've read says to actually just use VNC from the local host or something...

http://realvnc.com/faq.html#x0

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: JustMike
Isn't that slow? I obviously haven't tried it (your link doesn't work, BTW) and I don't like the idea of that in the first place.

I generally create a VNC session and do stuff within it that I might want to reconnect elsewhere. I know it's an inconvenience, but it works for the most part.

it would most definitely be slow but speed is not a concern. as for the link I know it doesn't work, it's down as I stated in my original post.

 

[JustMike]

it would most definitely be slow but speed is not a concern.

Is it possible to run VNC server and client on the same host with the client connecting to the server? Speed would probably be affected, but if it doesn't matter, it's probably workable.

as for the link I know it doesn't work, it's down as I stated in my original post.

Sorry, wasn't paying attention 🙂

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: JustMike

it would most definitely be slow but speed is not a concern.

Is it possible to run VNC server and client on the same host with the client connecting to the server? Speed would probably be affected, but if it doesn't matter, it's probably workable.

I'm not sure what you mean... the way I want to do it is this:
I want to sit down at my home pc, do some stuff... leave for work, then at work connect to my home box and continue to work on the same things. Then log out but have all the processes still running. Then go back home and resume working.

 

[JustMike]

1. Start a vncserver session as yourself on your home machine (done from a console, non-X session)
2. As another user, login to an X session on the same machine (in my case, I did it as "root")
3. Run VNC client (vncviewer) connecting to the session created in step 1.

I just confirmed that it works fine and performance isn't too bad (P4 1.7). Of course, you forego sound with this option.

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: JustMike
1. Start a vncserver session as yourself on your home machine (done from a console, non-X session)
2. As another user, login to an X session on the same machine (in my case, I did it as "root")
3. Run VNC client (vncviewer) connecting to the session created in step 1.

I just confirmed that it works fine and performance isn't too bad (P4 1.7). Of course, you forego sound with this option.

so then what do I do when I want to log off and connect to that session from another place?

 

[JustMike]

You do not "logoff" if you want to retain the session. Just connect to it from the remote location and it'll work. You can have two (or more) clients connected to the same vncserver instance, but there might be performance penalties. Of course, you can also close the vncviewer session on your home machine prior to leaving (this lets the vncserver session run in the background)

 

[fs5]

okay, going to try that tonight, thanks.