2. Installation and Setup
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2. Installation and Setup

 Make sure the rfbdrake package is installed and then access Rfbdrake through the Mandriva Linux Control Center: an Online Administration section is accessible from which you can start the Remote Control of another machine (Linux/Unix, Windows) utility.

2.1. Controlled Computer Setup

Two scenarios can occur here: either you, or the person you are assisting, can access Rfbdrake (local access); or not (typically remote administration tasks), then you need to follow the remote access procedure, described in Section 2.1.2, “Remote Administration Access”.

[Note] Firewall

If the system to be controlled is behind a firewall, then you have to make sure that port tcp/5900+N is opened on the firewall, where N is the VNC server display number.

2.1.1. Local Access

For the machine that will act as the controlled (server) computer, select the Allow control of my machine (linux server) option. Fill the Set Password field. This is mandatory or the server will not be started. Please bear in mind that this password is not related to the user's local/remote account password in any way.

Figure 2.1. Server Options

Server Options

 Once you click on Launch server this icon indicates that the computer is ready to accept incoming VNC connections on the display number shown at the bottom. Closing it will stop the VNC server. Right-click on it to access a pop-up menu with some options.

2.1.2. Remote Administration Access

  1. Make sure the tightvnc-server package is installed on the remote machine.

  2. Connect to the remote machine using ssh.

  3. Start the VNC server by executing vncserver in a console. If this is the first time vncserver is to run on the system with that user account, then you have to enter the password clients will have to use to connect and confirm it. The system informs you which display number clients have to use. Run vncserver -kill :DISPLAY_NUMBER when you no longer need the VNC server.

Then connect as a client to control the remote machine (see Section 2.2, “Controlling Computer Setup”).

[Note] Note

This procedure, as opposed to the previous one, does not give you access to the current graphical session (if any) but creates a new one instead.

2.2. Controlling Computer Setup

Figure 2.2. Viewer Options

Viewer Options

  1. On the machine which will act as the controller (viewer) computer, run Rfbdrake and select the Want to take control (linux client) option.

  2. Fill the Remote server Address pull-down list with the IP address or hostname of the computer to be controlled.

  3. Fill the Display Number field with the remote computer's display number, or leave it empty to use the default (display number 0).

  4. Enter the server password in the Enter Password field.

  5. Optionally, put a mark in the FullScreen check-box to have the remote computer's desktop use all of the controller computer's screen. Otherwise the remote desktop will be displayed in a window.

  6. Once you are satisfied with your settings, click on the Connect button to access the remote computer.

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