How to use GUI in VM with Linux on ESA HPC

Desktop environments for Linux allow you to perform any action related to your operating system in a visible way. Its purpose is to deliver a proper suite in terms of look, functionnalities, and usability.

In order to install GUI for basic Ubuntu images we have to consider some tasksel installations. We have prepared two environments that interact correctly with the recommended visual remote desktop application -x2GO.

Tutorial has been prepared on machine with preinstalled Ubuntu 20.04.

1. Mate

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt install tasksel
sudo reboot
sudo tasksel install ubuntu-mate-desktop

Theme for Mate:

../_images/scrn1.png

2. XFCE

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt install tasksel
sudo reboot
sudo tasksel install xubuntu-desktop

Theme for XFCE:

../_images/scrn2.png

What is X2GO?

Simply, X2GO is one of the many solutions for Remote Desktop that works well over either low or high bandwith. For more informations, I reffer to the documentation: https://wiki.x2go.org/doku.php/doc:newtox2go

X2GO configuration

Using SPICE console within the Horizon panel may result in worse optimalization and non-synchronized cursor. To improve the whole setup we may install X2GO server on the virtual machine and X2GO client on our computer which is being used to connect to our instance.

Operations on the virtual machine:

sudo apt-get install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:x2go/stable
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install x2goserver x2goserver-xsession

Operations on the client side:

sudo apt-get install x2goclient

Ok, we are equipped to initialize our first session. Launch X2GO application and look on the prompt window

../_images/scrn3.png

Fill in necessary blanks:

  • host: IP of the virtual machine

  • Login: eouser ( account allowed for ssh connection)

  • SSH port 22 (by default)

  • Session type: in this case MATE or XFCE (it depends what have you installed)

  • RSA/DSA key for ssh connection: Directory of your private key

Press “OK”

Notice a rectangle with curved edges on your right side. Click on it.

../_images/scrn4.png

If every value in the step before was typed in correctly, you should encounter a window with the message: Established X server connection. A few seconds later you obtain a visible access to your virtual machine.