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X2go is a new and completely free client/server solution for remote access to graphical desktops. In its basic form, it provides a GUI around VNC server and viewer, including setting up the SSH tunnel for secure remote access, but it has more possibilities, including:
See also: http://www.x2go.org
It is possible to open your existing X session, running on the computer screen, for remote access through X2go. This is called desktop sharing
in X2go.
To enable this, run (on your desktop) the X2go Desktop Sharing app, available from the menu, or as x2godesktopsharing
. This creates a panel icon that can be used to enable (and disable) sharing your desktop.
On the remote machine, set up the connection with Connect to local desktop
as the session type.
Note that when working in a shared session, whatever happens in your x2go viewer, happens on the real desktop as well, so if you log out in the viewer, you are actually logged out completely.
Most of the known VNC desktop issues will apply to x2go as well: the graphics emulation in the virtual desktop doesn't include 3D or accellerated graphics, which are used a lot in modern desktops.
Also, remember that a vnc or x2go session stays active even when no viewer is open. So it is easily possible to run out of memory or slow down your desktop when too many programs are open.