ssh and X

William E. Kempf · n00b Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 3

I can't seem to get sshd configured properly to allow X forwarding. I've modified /etc/ssh/ssh_config to contain the following:

Host *
ForwardX11 yes
Protocol 2

I restarted sshd with: /etc/init.d/sshd restart. Then, from a remote box I issue: ssh -X user@host.

Once logged onto the box, when I echo $DISPLAY, it's not set. Any attempts to start an X application result in a "can't open display" error. I've scoured the net on this subject, but can't locate anything that helps me. Anyone have any ideas here?

Voltago · Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 6:05 pm Post subject:

Try to set X11Forwarding to 'yes' also in /etc/ssh/sshd_config.
Bye!

William E. Kempf · n00b Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 3

I saw X11Forwarding in a few different posts. But man ssh_config doesn't mention this. Setting it makes no difference.

ctford0 · Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2003 12:14 am Post subject:

OK here is the run down...

ssh_config is the file that sets your default options when running ssh from the cl. so if you set xforwarding there it automatically includes the -X option that ssh needs to enable xforwarding.

sshd_config is the file that controls the sshd server. you need to enable xforwarding here to be able to run x programs from another computer loged into yours using ssh. you must restart ssh after altering this file.

next when you run ssh on the remote machine then you have to give the -X option to enable xforwarding, unless it is added by default in the ssh_config. another thing to note is that you have to be in an xwindows env to be able to run x programs off your machine through ssh (ie, you cant do this in windows through putty or from a vc.)

hope this helps...

chris

tabascal1 · n00b Joined: 21 Mar 2003 Posts: 71

Is there any means by which one can run X through ssh on a remote winxp machine

William E. Kempf · n00b Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 3

Ahh... stupid mistake. sshd_config not ssh_config for the server. I feel stupid now.

tabascal1: Yep, I do it all the time (run remote X applications through ssh on WinXP). There's numerous solutions, including commercial ones, but I personally use Cygwin and the Cygwin XFree86 port.

tabascal1 · n00b Joined: 21 Mar 2003 Posts: 71

William: It would be very nice of you if you could send me the details of the same as I am new to this

Voltago · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2003 10:29 pm Post subject:

OK, tabascal1, here's the way to go (or the direction, anyway):
1. go to www.cygwin.com, get the setup.exe for cygwin
2. create a directory, e. g. c:\cygwin_store, drop setup.exe into this directory
3. execute setup.exe. you will be prompted to select a install directory (let's call it c:\cygwin) and a storage directory (use c:\cygwin_store).
4. next, select a download mirror
5. select the packages you would like to install, there is a category for xfree86, best to select everything in it.
6. download & install
7. now create (on the same disc as the cygwin install dir, mark you) a directory called c:\CYGDRIVE (yes, capital letters)
8. when you call the cygwin terminal, you will start in your new home dir on /home/<user>; your win discs are 'mounted' at /cygdrive, you can start your X-Server with startx

But don't expect too much, xfree on cygwin does have some glitches and shortcomings (like clean shutdown or rather the lack thereof).

Have fun!
andy_ypsilon

tabascal1 · n00b Joined: 21 Mar 2003 Posts: 71

Thanks for the help.

I need some clarifications.

I am using PuTTY in WIN XP for connecting over ssh to my gentoo box.

To run X applications on PuTTY do I require an X enviornment in my XP.
If not what are the configurations required on my system.

I have already done X11Forwarding to yes in sshd_config

Please help

Voltago · Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2003 1:59 pm Post subject:

gen2newB · Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2003 2:00 pm Post subject:

you might want to try searching for VNC servers. I use PuTTY to create a vpn tunnel to my computer, and then i use port forwarding to pull my desktop up using vnc viewer. If that tickles your fancy, do a search for VNC in Documentation and Tips section and u will not be disappointed ;]

Dafoe · Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2003 3:55 pm Post subject:

hi,

i just tried using vncserver on my linuxbox and vncviewer on my xp-laptop and its working great.

for example i started dcgui-qt on my box and started dl-ing, and im wondering what happens if i close the vncviewer window!!

will the processes im running die ?
_________________
regards, arib

fleed · l33t Joined: 28 Aug 2002 Posts: 756 Location: London

No, the process will keep running. The vnc server is running on your linux box as opposed to a normal X server which would be running on your xplaptop. You'll only lose the applications you're running if you kill the vncserver (by doing a vncserver -kill :1 for eg).

Dafoe · Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2003 4:13 pm Post subject:

ok, thx buddy
_________________
regards, arib