VNC

Unlike SSH, VNC allows you to access a virtual display of the servers. This lets you browse through the file system and open visual applications such as Matlab and a web browser in a virtual operating system. Follow these steps to start a VNC session:

  • Download and install VNC Viewer.
  • Once installed you will need to SSH to the server to which you will VNC into and type the following command into a terminal:
    • myvncserver
    • Towards the bottom of the output, take note of the last number as that will be the display number you will need to access the VNC server. Shown as radiology.ucsf.edu:7 highlighted below.

vncimage

  • Open VNC Viewer and type the server information in the following form:

    • e.g. servername.radiology.ucsf.edu:7
    • You will be prompted for your UCSF username and password.

  • To change the resolution of the VNC display to match your monitor resolution type the following command into a VNC terminal:

    • xrandr
      • Choose a resolution from the available options.
      • E.g. for 2560x1600 if it has index 11, type the following command into a VNC terminal:
        • xrandr -s 11

Advanced

  • Refer to the Scientific Computing Services (SCS) official VNC tutorial for more advanced options (requires UCSF login)