How to install and configure VNC Server on CentOS/RHEL 8

Question: How to remotely access graphical environment on an CentOS/RHEL 8?

The access will be used using a VNC server.

Setup VNC Server

1. Install VNC Server and the graphical environment in the server:

$ sudo dnf install tigervnc-server
$ sudo dnf group install "Server with GUI"

2. Configure the users that will user VNC. Edit /etc/tigervnc/vncserver.users and add display number and user:

:[display_number]=[user]

For example:

:1=opc

3. Configure the VNC password for [user] and define the default desktop:

$ vncpasswd
$ echo session=gnome >> .vnc/config

4. Start the corresponding service:

$ sudo systemctl start vncserver@:[display_number]

For example:

$ sudo systemctl start vncserver@:1

VNC viewer access

To connect to the VNC service it’s recommended to use a SSH tunnel.

Connect using ssh

1. ssh command to connect:

$ ssh [user]@[server] -L 590[display_number]:localhost:590[display_number]

For example:

$ ssh opc@[server] -L 5901:localhost:5901

2. Connect vncviewer:

$ vncviewer localhost:[display_number]

For example:

$ vncviewer localhost:1

Connect using putty

1. Launch putty:

2. Go to Connection -> SSH -> Tunnels:

3. Click “Add” and then “Open”:

4. Connect VNC Viewer to “localhost:1”: