Stuck with VPN and Web VNC

[steph]

I'm new to amahi (and linux, though I dabble on a gentoo server for my web stuff).

The server has been running fine (fedora 12) for nearly two weeks, and I'm trying to get both VPN and VNC to work -- and failing.

VPN: I followed the instructions here http://wiki.amahi.org/index.php/VPN as well as I could. Forwarded the port, installed a VPN client (Viscosity on OSX), tested VPN from the control panel. I created a new connection in Viscosity with xyz.yourhda.com as address and uploaded the three files here http://wiki.amahi.org/index.php/VPNMacTunnelBlick, pointed to them in the Authorization tab, selected "use username and password".

I keep getting messages that my password is wrong. I actually ended up changing all my passwords twice because I was concerned some of the characters inside them might be getting in the way -- to no avail.

VNC: set up the VNC server as explained here http://wiki.amahi.org/index.php/WebVNC but stuck when I need to turn on desktop sharing. I get the "default keychain locked" error but there is no default.keychain in my setup (only login.keychain). Not sure what to do here.

Thanks for any help

Steph from Lausanne, CH

[cpg]

VPN:

I have used Tunnelblick mostly, not Viscosity.

I am not sure, but many people get to do this easily. Sounds like the connection works. We can help you test if you want if you are local to the machine and can create a temp users. Oh - you also should not connect from within your network.

Check the bottom of the logs in /var/log/messages around the time immediately after one attempt that failed.

[cpg]

VNC:

Can you say what method you took to install VNC?

I know there is one method where you have to actually have to go to the console and allow for permission to grant remote access (a bit silly if you ask me).

[steph]

VPN: I disconnected from my local network and tried to connect using my iPhone connection (tethering). Got a message about not being able to start OpenVNC. Downloaded and configured TunnelBlick and got this: "Error: Unable to load net.tunnelblick.tun and/or net.tunnelblick.tap kexts in 5 tries. Status = 71" -- permission problem somewhere?

VNC: I really just followed the instructions on this page: http://wiki.amahi.org/index.php/WebVNC -- but got stuck when I bumped into an error that didn't seem planned by the instructions (I need to "Enter password for default keyring to unlock" but the file I'm told to rename does not exist)

It's possible that as I don't really understand what I'm doing here, I'm missing something completely obvious. I just saw something about Chicken of the VNC for Mac, do I need to install that, for example?

[steph]

VNC:

Confused: there seem to be two totally different sets of instructions to install VNC on the server. Those here http://wiki.amahi.org/index.php/VNC and http://wiki.amahi.org/index.php/VNC

Oh... *brain tuning in* -- in WebVNC something you install ON TOP of VNC?

FWIW I installed Chicken of the VNC on my mac and used it successfully to connect to my server, after having selected "You must confirm each access to this machine" in the Remote Desktop prefs. So it seems my problem is really with this default keyring unlocking thing when I want to be able to use VNC without sitting in front of my server

Question: will VNC work over the internet? Can I make it work over the internet?

[pjcrux]

Hello Steph!
You wouldn't happen to be "bunny" in IRC would you?

I can't help you with the VPN issue (I don't have a Mac client, and therefore no experience).

The VNC issue is another story. WebVNC is a one click application that I have found to be simpler to institute on my HDA than VNC. After the one click installation you have to go to system > preferences > remote desktop and then select in the sharing section: "Allow other users to View your Desktop" and then underneath that select (or toggle) "Allow other users to Control your Desktop". In the security section deselect "you must confirm each access to this machine" and then select the "Require the user to enter this password" and then select the PW of your choice.

Now for the keyring issue. I had the same issue where the file didn't exist. Another Amahi user found this work around that works well for myself:

I did the following on the Amahi box:

1. start seahorse (applications->accessories->passwords and encryption keys)
2. on passwords tab, right click Passwords: login,
3. click password
4. enter user password for "old password", leave new password blank, click change
5. you will get a warning about security, accept, and you are done

It seems that Fedora instituted the keyring with F12 to always ask for a password if someone was connecting to the box. It's a minor annoyance once the above steps are completed.

Let us know how it goes!

Cheers!

Peter
aka pjcrux