AIX Tip of the Week: VNC Provides X Functionality with PC Browser

Audience: AIX Users

Date: September 28, 2000

VNC is a freeware application that allows you to display an AIX desktop session on a PC browser (similar in function to "X"). Since VNC is written in Java, it requires no additional software on your PC, other than a standard browser. VNC benefits over telnet include better terminal emulation, ability to display multiple color windows, and the ability run graphics applications.

You can download VNC from:

IBM GNU Tools for AIX

Note: You'll have to install the "RPM" package first. It's GNU's equivalent to "installp".

To start the VNC server on AIX, run the following command from your user id.

/usr/local/bin/vncserver

To view your AIX session on your PC, type the following in your browser URL:

http://yourhostname:5801

The 5801 is the default port number for VNC. However, it your session doesn't start, it may be running on a different port. Check your $HOME/.vnc/*log.

Other VNC versions are available to work with Linux, Solaris, NT.

Thanks to Allen Oh, IBM Mountain View, for suggesting this tip!