Revision 12 as of 2018-10-09 12:44:10

Clear message

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

Connection with VNC and SSH Port Forwarding through an SSH tunnel

  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
  4. Open the PuTTY configuration window

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

  6. Check Enable X11 forwarding

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

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

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

(!) 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).

CategoryWNCL