Setting up GUI and graphic environment on Linux VMs

Issue descriptionIssue description

• You need to use graphical applications on VM instances with Linux OS

SolutionSolution

There are four options that allow you to use a graphical desktop environment on Linux VMs:

• Use VNC or RDP To do this:

  1. Install a desktop environment
  2. After this, install xrdp or a VNC server (for connecting via RDP or VNC, respectively)
     We recommend using a combination of a VNC server that listens only to localhost, and an SSH tunnel: in this case, you will eliminate the risk of attackers connecting to your VM via VNC, as well as encrypt your VNC traffic. The guide at this link might help you.

• Forward Xorg to your local computer. There are also numerous articles online on how to do this. Use Xming for Windows:

  1. Install a desktop environment
  2. Set up Xorg forwarding in your SSH client and connect to the VM
  3. Start the graphical application from the terminal.

• Use Terraform to create a VM with an installed graphical environment, like here.

• Use Docker image with pre-installed desktop environment LXDE and x11vnc VNC-server

  1. Install Docker.
  2. Run ready-to-use lightweight Ubuntu image:

  docker run -p 127.0.0.1:6080:80 -e HTTP_PASSWORD=<your password> -v /dev/shm:/dev/shm dorowu/ubuntu-desktop-lxde-vnc
  

  3. Forward 6080 port to your machine.
  4. Open http://<address>:6080 in browser and authenicate with login root and your password. Use left menu for clipboard and keystrokes (such as Ctrl, Alt, Win, Tab).
  5. Install and start graphical application.