Using XDMCP to log into Ubuntu.

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Using XDMCP to log into Ubuntu.

Hi there,

I'm using my Leopard machine (iMac 10.5.2) to log into my new Ubuntu server (7.10), using XDMCP, but I'm getting some strange results.

When use the command '/usr/X11R6/bin/X -query xxx.xxx.x.xxx' but then the Ubuntu log in window slowly loads, not in a separate window, but as the desktop for my current screen. It takes ages to load, and I can't actually use it to log in. I figure it's a configuration problem with X, but I don't know if it's on the Ubuntu or Mac end.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

iMac 2.4GHZ, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Mar 31, 2008 6:16 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 31, 2008 6:43 PM in response to PatrickNZ

Have you made sure your firewall is configured correctly?

Not sure if Apple has actually updated the included Xquartz to work properly with XDMCP. You may need to go to http://trac.macosforge.org/projects/xquartz to get the latest version.

When you do something like X :2 -query host it will take over your desktop and you'll still see the dock and menu bar and will not be able to access your desktop icons.

Something you may want to try out is Xnest instead. This will give you an X server nested in a window which is more friendly to work with. Example .....
Xnest :2 -query host -depth 24 -geometry 1024x768 2020 2>/dev/null

Yet another option which is what I use for my Linux application servers is NoMachine NX. IMO, this solution is far superior to raw XDMCP and works extremely well on slow connections such as VPN or wireless.

Why Ubuntu?

hth

Message was edited by: brainslice

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Answer 2

PatrickNZ Author

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Apr 2, 2008 6:49 PM in response to brainslice

Thanks for the reply!

So I've installed the new version of xquartz and it's working much much better, now I just need to play around with the display settings to get it into a reasonably sized window, I'll let you know how I go.

I'm using Ubuntu because I've been given a IBM workstation that came with XP, and I want to use it as a media server.

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