How to Configure VNC on Unix/Linux

With the help of the instructions this page, you should have no trouble setting up VNC on your Linux machine. You can find information about changing the Screen Size on the bottom of this page.

VNC Setup Instructions

  1. Download and install the VNC software for your specific operating system from http://www.tightvnc.com/download.html.
  2. Open an SSH tunnel by running ssh -L 7878:localhost:5900 <username>@<computer>.cae.wisc.edu where <computer> is a computer between tux-1 and tux-74.
  3. Run the VNC software by typing vncviewer -encoding "tight copyrect" localhost::7878 in a second command window on your local computer.
    You should be presented with a CAE login box in a new window.
    (Note that in these instructions, 7878 was chosen as an arbitrary port that is probably unused on your local computer. If you receive an error about a port in use during Step 2, you will have to change this number.)

VNC Screen Size/Port Chart

To connect to an alternate screen size/color depth, simply add an alternative port after the hostname when you connect.

If you cannot connect to alternate screen sizes/color depths, please check your viewer's documentation to find out how to specify ports or displays.

(Example: ssh -L 7878:localhost:5973 tux-45.cae.wisc.edu to connect at 1280x1024 with 24 bit color.)

Screen Size Color Depth Display Number Port Number
Default (1024x768) Default (24) :0 5900
640x480 8 :50 5950
800x600 8 :51 5951
1024x768 8 :52 5952
1280x1024 8 :53 5953
1600x1200 8 :54 5954
640x480 16 :60 5960
800x600 16 :61 5961
1024x768 16 :62 5962
1280x1024 16 :63 5963
1600x1200 16 :64 5964
640x480 24 :70 5970
800x600 24 :71 5971
1024x768 24 :72 5972
1280x1024 24 :73 5973
1600x1200 24 :74 5974
640x480 32 :80 5980
800x600 32 :81 5981
1024x768 32 :82 5982
1280x1024 32 :83 5983
1600x1200 32 :84 5984

Back to Top