How to Connect to an Ubuntu 18.04 Server Using VNC

Are you looking for a way to remotely access your Ubuntu 18.04 server and login to the login screen using VNC? If so, this article will guide you through the process.

Firstly, you can either start a new x11vnc manually for your new display `:1` (without root rights) or start one automatically with your session as any other logon script. To do this, you can run a x11vnc (with root rights) if you are not logged in for the DM itself and login (your x11vnc will turn black due to the vt switch).

Alternatively, you can use virt-manager (which also enables VNC on 127.0.0.1:5900) and bind x11vnc to your LAN IP (-listen 10.0.0.1). This is particularly useful if you do not have a monitor (headless) as it allows you to configure a virtual `:0` screen for yourself.

To enable the x11vnc service, you can create a file `/etc/systemd/system/rvice` with the following contents:

```

'Unit'

Description=Custom Service Unit file

'Service'

ExecStart=/usr/bin/x11vnc -loop -nopw -xkb -repeat -noxrecord -noxfixes -noxdamage -forever -rfbport 5900 -display :0 -auth guess

'Install'

WantedBy=multi-user.target

```

Then, you can install x11vnc from packages using `apt install x11vnc`. After installing the package, you can enable the x11vnc service by running `systemctl enable rvice`.

Unfortunately, connecting to the login screen with VNC while using GDM3 is currently not possible. However, there are other alternatives available. For example, you can use nomachine and it took the grand total of 2 minutes to set up and it works as I wanted (including iOS clients!).

In conclusion, setting up a VNC server on your Ubuntu 18.04 server can be achieved using x11vnc and systemd services. While there may be some limitations with GDM3, alternative solutions such as nomachine are available to achieve the desired outcome.

Vnc connect ubuntu 18.04