Re: [gce-discussion] Accessing GUI of Linux instance on GCE from Windows PC to use apps like AndroidStudio or Netbeans...
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Theodore Ts'o
May 21, 2019, 7:46:37 PM5/21/19
to Chi, gce-discussion
On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 10:18:04AM -0700, DC wrote:
> Can someone please create very detailed guide for one's who have* never
> used linux OS* or any kind of cloud platform before. There exist no video
> or blog appearing in top search results that clearly explains the following
> problem :
> 1) *After creating Linux(Debian) instance on compute engine (GCE), h**ow
> can we access its graphical desktop (GUI) from** Windows PC or Android
> device or Web Browser to use applications like Android Studio or Play games
> on Steam ?*
There is a fairly good tutorial here:
https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-install-and-configure-vnc-on-debian-9
I'd ask a higher level question first, which is why do you want to be
using a GUI interface for a cloud server, and what are you using a
cloud server for?
In general, the best use of a cloud server is one where you administer
it via a ssh (tty) interface, and even better, when it's administered
automatically. (For example, if you are using a cloud server as a web
server, ideally when it reboots, it will start up the web server
automatically, without any need to login to the server at all.)
If you are trying to use a Linux instance as remote desktop, a GUI
interface is always going to be painful, because very often you will
not have a high speed network connection between you and the server.
So learning how to use a text interface is often a really good idea.
Personally, I use a text mail reader (mutt), and a text editor
(emacs), so while I do have a remote Linux "desktop" that I use for
emergencies, or when I need something with more CPU heft than what my
laptop can supply, I use something like tmux or screen so I can switch
between virtual text screens, but I use a text interface for
everything. It's not good enough for word processing or spreadsheets,
but that's what a Chromebook and Google Docs are for. :-)
> 2) *Which is the best free, secure, fast & multi-platform VNC preferable
> for accessing linux instance on cloud from any devices & which is the best
> light linux desktop to be used for fast computing ?*
Tightvnc is probably the best platform on the Linux desktop. For
security, you're going to have to use ssh, and it will require some
setup to get that working. See the tutorial linked above.
If you don't mind using a cost-free (but not free-software) solution,
and you are using a Chrome browser or a Chrombook, Google's Chrome
Remote Desktop is a pretty good turn-key solution. It comes with its
own VNC-like server which you install on machines that you want to
access remotely. Chrome Remote Desktop will work even over NAT's so
you can use it to access your home desktop when it's behind a wireless
router, for example. However, like all remote GUI solutions (include
Microsoft RDP) it's not going to be fast. In practice, I almost never
use it, because using ssh and tmux is much faster.
As far as a light-weight Linux desktop if you want to go over the
network, something like Xfce is probably a good choice.
> 3) *Is there any hack to use Chrome Remote Desktop or Microsoft RDP to
> access linux instance on cloud ?*
There's nothing special needed to set up Chrome Remote Desktop on a
Linux isntance. Just follow the instructions:
https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1649523?
So you *can* do it. It's just a question about what is your actual
higher-level goal, and is this something that you *should* be doing,
for your long-term satisfaction and happiness....
Good luck,
- Ted
> Can someone please create very detailed guide for one's who have* never
> used linux OS* or any kind of cloud platform before. There exist no video
> or blog appearing in top search results that clearly explains the following
> problem :
> 1) *After creating Linux(Debian) instance on compute engine (GCE), h**ow
> can we access its graphical desktop (GUI) from** Windows PC or Android
> device or Web Browser to use applications like Android Studio or Play games
> on Steam ?*
There is a fairly good tutorial here:
https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-install-and-configure-vnc-on-debian-9
I'd ask a higher level question first, which is why do you want to be
using a GUI interface for a cloud server, and what are you using a
cloud server for?
In general, the best use of a cloud server is one where you administer
it via a ssh (tty) interface, and even better, when it's administered
automatically. (For example, if you are using a cloud server as a web
server, ideally when it reboots, it will start up the web server
automatically, without any need to login to the server at all.)
If you are trying to use a Linux instance as remote desktop, a GUI
interface is always going to be painful, because very often you will
not have a high speed network connection between you and the server.
So learning how to use a text interface is often a really good idea.
Personally, I use a text mail reader (mutt), and a text editor
(emacs), so while I do have a remote Linux "desktop" that I use for
emergencies, or when I need something with more CPU heft than what my
laptop can supply, I use something like tmux or screen so I can switch
between virtual text screens, but I use a text interface for
everything. It's not good enough for word processing or spreadsheets,
but that's what a Chromebook and Google Docs are for. :-)
> 2) *Which is the best free, secure, fast & multi-platform VNC preferable
> for accessing linux instance on cloud from any devices & which is the best
> light linux desktop to be used for fast computing ?*
Tightvnc is probably the best platform on the Linux desktop. For
security, you're going to have to use ssh, and it will require some
setup to get that working. See the tutorial linked above.
If you don't mind using a cost-free (but not free-software) solution,
and you are using a Chrome browser or a Chrombook, Google's Chrome
Remote Desktop is a pretty good turn-key solution. It comes with its
own VNC-like server which you install on machines that you want to
access remotely. Chrome Remote Desktop will work even over NAT's so
you can use it to access your home desktop when it's behind a wireless
router, for example. However, like all remote GUI solutions (include
Microsoft RDP) it's not going to be fast. In practice, I almost never
use it, because using ssh and tmux is much faster.
As far as a light-weight Linux desktop if you want to go over the
network, something like Xfce is probably a good choice.
> 3) *Is there any hack to use Chrome Remote Desktop or Microsoft RDP to
> access linux instance on cloud ?*
There's nothing special needed to set up Chrome Remote Desktop on a
Linux isntance. Just follow the instructions:
https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1649523?
So you *can* do it. It's just a question about what is your actual
higher-level goal, and is this something that you *should* be doing,
for your long-term satisfaction and happiness....
Good luck,
- Ted
Message has been deleted
Abonti
May 22, 2019, 1:35:39 PM5/22/19
to gce-discussion
Hello,
On Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 2:45:41 AM UTC-4, DC wrote:
I can see all of your queries have been answered by Ted. Would like to know if you have any further questions regarding this.
On Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 2:45:41 AM UTC-4, DC wrote:
Thank you Ted
I'd ask a higher level question first, which is why do you want to be
using a GUI interface for a cloud server, and what are you using a
cloud server for?
I am using cloud just as my portable PC capable of high computing power because portable workstations are costly and heavy, I thought of using light weight laptop and high speed internet. I want to learn Android Studio to make one of my project which requires heavy computing, since creating windows instance on GCE cost more I preffered installing android studio on linux instance
Message has been deleted
Abonti
May 27, 2019, 3:42:35 PM5/27/19
to gce-discussion
Hi,
As per this documentation, Chrome Remote Desktop does not support 3D graphics acceleration. A desktop environment that uses 3D graphics acceleration will not start.
I am facing difficulty connecting gnome-desktop with chrome remote desktop(CRD), the only thing visible is the arrow (pointer) and the blank grey screen but when I use Xfce-desktop I was able to connect and use linux instance on cloud through CRD by following instructions on this site: Setting up Chrome Remote Desktop on Compute Engine
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