How to Install VNC Server on CentOS: A Step-by-Step Guide

VNC (Virtual Network Computing) is a desktop sharing protocol that allows users to remotely control another computer. This guide will walk you through the process of installing VNC Server on CentOS, providing step-by-step instructions to ensure a smooth setup. Whether you’re using CentOS 7 or CentOS 8, this tutorial will help you get VNC up and running quickly.

You can install VNC Server on our Lower Package VPS, such as 1GB RAM Linux VPS.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure that you have:

• A CentOS server (either version 7 or 8) with root or sudo access.
• A basic understanding of how to use the terminal.
• An active internet connection for package installations.

Step 1: Update Your System

Start by updating your CentOS package repository to ensure that you have the latest updates and security patches. Open your terminal and run:

sudo yum update -y

Once completed, you will have the most up-to-date system packages.

Step 2: Install VNC Server

The VNC server software is not installed by default. You can install it using the following command:

sudo yum install tigervnc-server -y

This command installs tigervnc-server, which is a popular VNC server package for CentOS.

Step 3: Configure VNC Server

After installation, you need to configure the VNC server for your user. Copy the default configuration file:

sudo cp /lib/systemd/system/[email protected] /etc/systemd/system/vncserver@:1.service

This command creates a new service file, where :1 specifies the display number. You can change this to :2, :3, etc., based on your requirements.

Next, edit the VNC service file:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/vncserver@:1.service

Inside the file, find and replace <USER> with your actual username in the following lines:

[Service]
Type=simple
User=<USER>
PAMName=login
PIDFile=/home/<USER>/.vnc/%H:%i.pid
ExecStart=/usr/bin/vncserver %i -geometry 1024x768 -depth 24
ExecStop=/usr/bin/vncserver -kill %i > /dev/null 2>&1

Save and exit (press CTRL + X, then Y, and Enter).

Step 4: Set VNC Password

Before starting the VNC server for the first time, you need to set a VNC password. Switch to the user for whom you configured VNC:

su - <USER>

Now set the VNC password:

vncpasswd

You will be prompted to enter and verify a password. You can also set a view-only password if you wish, but it's optional.

Step 5: Start and Enable VNC Server

Next, enable and start the VNC service you configured:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl start vncserver@:1.service
sudo systemctl enable vncserver@:1.service

To verify that the service is running correctly, use:

sudo systemctl status vncserver@:1.service

You should see an “active (running)” status if everything is working fine.

Step 6: Configure Firewall

By default, CentOS comes with a firewall that could block VNC traffic. To allow VNC connections, you need to open the appropriate port (5901 for display :1, 5902 for display :2, and so on):

sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=5901/tcp --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

If you’ve set a different display number, adjust the port accordingly.

Step 7: Configure VNC Desktop Environment

By default, VNC might not start with a desktop environment. You need to configure this. Open/create the ~/.vnc/xstartup file:

nano ~/.vnc/xstartup

Make sure it contains the following lines:

#!/bin/sh
unset SESSION_MANAGER
unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS
exec /usr/bin/startxfce4 &

Make the script executable:

chmod +x ~/.vnc/xstartup

Note:

If you are using a different desktop environment (like GNOME or KDE), you should replace startxfce4 with the appropriate command for your setup:

• For GNOME: exec /usr/bin/gnome-session &
• For KDE: exec /usr/bin/startkde &

Step 8: Connecting to VNC Server

Now that your VNC server is up and running, you can connect to it from a VNC client like VNC Viewer, RealVNC, or TigerVNC.

1. Launch your VNC viewer.
2. Enter your server's IP address followed by :1. For instance, if your server's IP is 192.168.1.100, you would enter 192.168.1.100:1.
3. Enter the password you set earlier when prompted.

Great! You have successfully installed and configured VNC Server on CentOS. You can now remotely access your CentOS desktop environment from anywhere using VNC.

Remember to regularly check and maintain security practices for your VNC connections, such as using SSH tunneling for added protection. Enjoy your remote desktop experience!