Debian-compatible Linux

The following instructions are valid for Ubuntu 11.10 running the Unity desktop environment. Instructions may differ slightly for different versions of Ubuntu, and versions of Debian, running different desktop environments, but the principle is the same. If in doubt, consult the operating system documentation.

Downloading VNC

Download a VNC for Linux Debian-compatible tarball to the computer you want to control. VNC Server and VNC Viewer are included as separate installable packages.

Note: VNC Viewer is freely available to download to as many other computers that you wish to exercise control from as you like.

If you wish to script installation of VNC Server and VNC Viewer together, download a VNC for Linux generic installer instead.

Installing VNC

Note: If you are upgrading from VNC Enterprise Edition, you must install VNC Server before VNC Viewer.

Using desktop tools

To install VNC Server, open <VNC Server>.deb using a suitable package manager, and follow the instructions. Note the credentials of a user with administrative privileges on the computer are required. To install VNC Viewer, repeat this operation for <VNC Viewer>.deb

At the command line

Installing at the command line or via SSH may be quicker and more convenient providing defaults are acceptable. To do this, run the following command as a user with administrative privileges: dpkg -i <VNC Server>.deb <VNC Viewer>.deb

Scripting installation

If you want to configure installation, run a script to specify programs and locations.

Licensing VNC Server

VNC Server must be licensed. If it is not, users cannot connect. More information…

Note: VNC Viewer does not require a license key.

Using desktop tools

To obtain and apply a license key, start VNC Server in User Mode, open the VNC Server dialog, and either follow the instructions in the VNC Server is not licensed error, or select More > Licensing.

At the command line

Obtain a license key, and then run the following command as a user with administrative privileges: vnclicense -add <license key>

Removing VNC

Using desktop tools

To uninstall VNC Server, open a package manager, conduct a search for the realvnc-vnc-server installed package, mark the package for complete removal, and apply the change. Note the credentials of a user with administrative privileges on the computer are required. To uninstall VNC Viewer, repeat this operation for realvnc-vnc-viewer.

At the command line

Run the following command as a user with administrative privileges: apt-get purge realvnc-vnc-server realvnc-vnc-viewer