VNC with Windows

[kornfan71]

Hello all,
I just installed Amahi on my Acer Aspire easyStore H340 (since Windows Home Server fragged itself 3 times in a month... ), and like it so far. However, being that it is headless, I am trying (and failing) to use VNC.
I followed Method 1 in the VNC guide on the Wiki, and am able to SSH from a local LINUX machine and get a VNC connection.
(I use the command "ssh -L 25903:localhost:5903 hda" followed by running a VNC client and connecting to "localhost:25903" for Linux. Everything works as expected.)

However, when I attempt to connect on Windows, I get an error.
Method of connection: Use PuTTY to create an SSH tunnel. Forward the VNC port (5903) to my Windows box, call it port 25903. Open RealVNC Viewer and attempt to connect to "localhost:25903."
Result: VNC viewer immediately says "The connection closed unexpectedly. Do you wish to reconnect...?"

Why can't I connect in Windows??

[dinomic]

Why can't I connect in Windows??

Personally, I couldn't get Method 1 to work properly either, so I went for Method 2, and all is OK.

Maybe try that, and if not, let us know and I'll compare notes with you??

[kornfan71]

Heh, I took another look and figured out the problem.... I was forwarding the port incorrectly in PuTTY, but correctly in Linux.

So, here's a quick how-to if you're having issues with connecting to the server via VNC. (Let's assume the server was configured with Method 1, and you are connecting to port 5903.)

Linux:
Open a terminal and enter this command:

Code: Select all

ssh -L 25903:localhost:5903 hda

Enter your credentials, and then open your favorite VNC viewer. For the host, enter:

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localhost:25903

Enter your password and enjoy!

Windows:
Open PuTTY.
1. Host Name: hda
2. Navigate to Connection > SSH > Tunnels
2a. For Source Port use 25903.
2b. For Destination use localhost:5903.
2c. Make sure the radio buttons are set to "Local" and "Auto", and click Add.
3. (Optional) Save the connection so you don't always need to do it from scratch.
4. Open connection and log in.
5. Open a VNC Viewer (I use RealVNC), and for the hostname, enter localhost:25903.
6. Realize that Linux is sometimes MUCH easier to use than Windows....


Hope that helps at least one person!

[bigfoot65]

Thanks for the clarification. If the wiki is unclear, could you please update it. Users find it easier to search for help there than in the forums.

[ghuiber]

Heh, I took another look and figured out the problem... Hope that helps at least one person!

Here's one. Thank you very much. Method 1 described at http://wiki.amahi.org/index.php/VNC, with TightVNC installed on a Windows 7 Pro machine, worked once. Method 2 did not work at all. So I googled around, found your post, and I can witness that pairing VNC with ssh via PuTTY like you did works a charm. Thanks again.