How can I connect to X-servers via Putty SSH client?

Connection with VNC and SSH Port Forwarding through an SSH tunnel

Initial Steps

1. Use Putty to login to your Linux box/server.

2. Launch a vncserver

   vncserver -geometry 1920x1080    # The first time you will be asked to set a VNC password

3. Remember your session number. In the example below it is number 1:

   New 'X' desktop is mylinuxbox:1

   Now you can exit your Putty SSH Terminal

Tunnel Setup

1. Open the PuTTY configuration window again

2. Go to SSH >> X11 in the left part of the window

3. Check Enable X11 forwarding

4. Go to SSH >> Tunnels and enter Source port: 5901. Furthermore add the following Destination: 127.0.0.1:5901

5. Go back to Session, enter a host name and a session name under "Saved Sessions" and click at "Save".

6. Now start your VNC client and point to 127.0.0.1:5901 and enter your VNC password from above.

7. Once your work is done and you would like to disconnect, enter the following command in a terminal on your Linux box/server

   vncserver -kill :1

In case of other running VNC servers, your session number could be higher than :1. In this case, go again through all the steps from above with the current session ID and change all numbers written in bold.

For a more detailed HowTo, please have a look at VNCUsage
Alternatively, you can write us an email to support@ee.ethz.ch requesting a X-Server for Windows (please mention your computer).

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