How to Install an Ubuntu 20.04 VNC Server

Are you tired of managing your Ubuntu servers through the command line? Do you want to access your system remotely with a graphical interface? Look no further! This tutorial will guide you through installing and configuring an Ubuntu 20.04 VNC server, allowing you to access your system remotely using a VNC client.

Step 1: Install TightVNC Server

To start, install the TightVNC server package by running the following command:

`sudo apt install tightvncserver`

Once the installation is complete, we need to configure a username and password that will be used to connect to the VNC server by a client.

Step 2: Configure VNC Server

Create a password for the root user under `/root/` with the following command:

`vncpasswd /root/.vnc/passwd`

Next, let's configure VNC to start the XFCE desktop environment when a client connects. We'll do this by creating a file using nano or your preferred text editor (e.g., Atom, Sublime).

Edit the file using the following command:

`nano /etc/vnc/xstartup`

Add the following lines to the file:

```

#!/bin/sh

xrdb $HOME/.Xresources

startxfce4 &

```

Save and exit the file.

Step 3: Install XFCE Desktop Environment

Install the XFCE desktop environment by running the following command:

`sudo apt install xfce4 xfce4-goodies gnome-icon-theme`

The XFCE desktop environment is designed to be responsive, lightweight, and user-friendly. It can be used as a standalone desktop environment or in conjunction with other environments like Ubuntu-Mate.

Step 4: Configure Ubuntu Desktop

If you want to use the Ubuntu desktop instead of XFCE, follow these steps:

First, open your SSH client and log in to the Ubuntu server. Run the command `sudo apt update` to ensure that your Ubuntu server has the latest package lists.

Next, install the Ubuntu desktop by running the following command:

`sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop`

Autoremove any unnecessary packages by running the following command:

`sudo apt autoremove -y`

Step 5: Access Your VNC Server

To access your VNC server, you'll need a VNC client such as the VNC Viewer. Connect to your Ubuntu server using an SSH client and log in with your username and password.

Once logged in, start the TightVNC server by running the following command:

`tightvncserver`

You can now connect to your VNC server using a VNC client. Enter the IP address or hostname of your Ubuntu server, followed by the port number (usually 5900) and your username and password.

TightVNC is a popular VNC server known for its low resource requirements and fast performance. It's a good choice for smooth and stable VNC sessions, even on slow internet connections.

With these steps, you should now be able to access your Ubuntu 20.04 VNC server remotely using a VNC client. If you have any issues or questions, feel free to ask!

Ubuntu 20.04 vnc server install