AXEL TCP/IP Terminal AX3000 models 65 and 65E Installing and Using the Axel-VNCviewer May 2002 - Ref.
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NOTES The Axel-VNCviewer is the AX3000 TCP/IP Platine Terminal model 65 or 65E equipped with VNC firmware. In this document we assume that the AX3000 has been fitted with this firmware. This documentation deals only with features specific to the Axel-VNCviewer. We assume that the reader is already familiar with the AX3000 set up procedures. For more information, please read the AX3000 TCP/IP - User's Manual.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 - INTRODUCTION............................................................................................ 1 2 - SETTING UP THE PLATINE ......................................................................... 3 2.1 - SETTING UP A VNC SESSION .............................................................. 4 2.2 - SETTING UP THE MOUSE..................................................................... 6 2.2.1 - PS/2 Mouse...................................................................
6 - GOING FURTHER WITH VNC .....................................................................33 6.1 - VNC AUTHENTICATION .......................................................................34 6.2 - SHARABLE VNC SESSION ...................................................................36 6.3 - XVNC DAEMON .....................................................................................37 6.4 - USING A DIFFERENT RESOLUTION ...................................................38 6.4.
-1INTRODUCTION Installing and Using the Axel-VNCviewer 1
The VNC protocol enables a remote graphical display on the Axel-VNCviewer. The image is constructed, maintained and updated within the Unix server’s frame buffer, and transmitted across the TCP/IP network. Note: this protocol is public and the associated software is free. For more information please see http://www.uk.research.att.com/vnc. VNC protocol information: - Server side: the VNC server daemon (Xvnc) is required. This software is an X server with embedded VNC.
-2SETTING UP THE PLATINE Installing and Using the Axel-VNCviewer 3
2.1 - SETTING UP A VNC SESSION This chapter deals only with the VNC session set-up. We assume that the other set-up parameters (such as AX3000 IP address, hosts, routers, etc.) have been already set. For more information please read AX3000 TCP/IP - User's Manual. To set-up a VNC session, enter the AX3000 Set-Up () select [Configuration]→[Terminal]→[Session X] (where X is the session number).
- Auto Reconnection: yes or no, to automatically connect this session on re-connection. - General Parameters: press to display the following box: These parameters are: - Resolution: the default resolution of a VNC session is 800x600. Press to change to 1024x768. Note: to check if the 1024x768 resolution is available refer to Chapter 6.4. - Shared Session and Keyboard and Mouse Ignored: these parameters allow several VNC terminals to share the same graphical display.
2.2 - SETTING UP THE MOUSE The VNC Platine Terminal controls either PS/2 mouse or a serial 2-button mouse. 2.2.1 - PS/2 Mouse The PS/2 mouse is automatically enabled when a VNC session is set. In event of problem, enter the AX3000 Set-Up () and select the [Configuration]→[Terminal]→[General] menu. Within the displayed dialog box, set the "Mouse" parameter to "PS2". 2.2.2 - Serial 2-button Mouse Attach this mouse to the AUX2 port (if needed, use RJ45-9pts adaptor supplied).
-3CONFIGURING VNC ON THE UNIX/LINUX SERVER Installing and Using the Axel-VNCviewer 7
3.1 - PREREQUISITS Warning: it is assumed that the X11 environment is already installed (utilities, directories and files) on the Unix/Linux server. Mount the Axel CD-ROM and copy the following files onto the hard disk: - Xvnc (VNC server, on CD supplied, under /bin). Copy and rename as ‘Xvnc’ the appropriate binary (Xvnc.SCO, Xvnc.LINUX, Xvnc.UW7, Xvnc.AIX) to a local directory (ie /usr/local/bin). Set execute permission by invoking chmod +x Xvnc.
UnixWare 7, Sun OS and HP-UX environments. For other environments manual configuration is required. The axvnc utility must be run from the graphical Unix/Linux console by invoking /etc/axvnc. The first operation performed by axvnc is to check the system has the necessary components for correct VNC operation: AXEL VNC UTILITY (V1.
3.2.1 - VNC Terminals with Login This method offers a standard Linux/Unix "login box" on the VNC terminal. This logon (username + password) allows the AX3000 user to be identified and given their respective desktop The procedure to set up a login session can vary on the display manager used. (See below). a) Display Manager KDE 2.2 For KDE 2.2, VNC terminals can be declared either through /etc/inittab or the environment (x)inetd.
b) Other Display Managers The following screen allows the removal or addition of a VNC terminal with Login: MANAGING GRAPHICAL DISPLAY FILE Contents of /etc/inittab: :1 Xvnc 800x600 - 8 bpp :2 Xvnc 1024x768- 8 bpp :3 busy :4 free :5 free :6 free :7 free :8 free :9 free :10 free :11 free :12 free :13 free :14 free :15 free :16 :17 :18 :19 :20 :21 :22 :23 :24 :25 :26 :27 :28 :29 :30 free free free free free free free free free free free free free free free :31 :32 :33 :34 :35 :36 :37 :38 :39 :40 :41 :42 :4
The following screen allows the addition or removal of a VNC terminal without Login (the application is automatically run): MANAGING GRAPHICAL DISPLAY FILE Contents of /etc/inittab: :1 busy :2 busy :3 (800x600 - 8) /usr/local/bin/a...
3.3 - MANUALLY CONFIGURING THE UNIX/LINUX SERVER A new and separate VNC daemon (Xvnc) must be run for each Platine VNC session. Every Xvnc daemon controls a DISPLAY number (i.e. a VNC connection to 5901, 5902, etc). There are different procedures for running the Xvnc daemon in the following environments: - Linux (Red Hat, Mandrake, SuSE, Caldera and Corel), - Unix SCO OpenServer, - UnixWare 7, - Open Unix 8, - AIX 4.x, - SunOS 5.6, - HP-UX 11.
3.3.1 - LINUX Under Linux, X terminal devicess (including VNC terminals) are managed by a Display Manager. A Display Manager provides services similar to those provided by init, getty and login on character terminals: i.e. prompting for login name and password, authenticating the user and running a "session". The most common Display Managers (and their associated daemons) are: - KDE 2.2: kdm daemon, - KDE: kdm daemon, - GNOME: gdm daemon.
Copy govnc.KDE22 from Axel supplied CD-ROM to /etc and rename to govnc. Set execute permission by invoking chmod +x /etc/govnc.
For each VNC session, add the following lines (below two Platine VNC sessions are configured): :1 local /usr/local/bin/Xvnc :1 -ac -geometry 800x600 -depth 8 -rfbwait 120000 -rfbport 5901 -fp unix/:-1 -cc 3 -co /usr/lib/X11/rgb :2 local /usr/local/bin/Xvnc :2 -ac -geometry 800x600 -depth 8 -rfbwait 120000 -rfbport 5902 -fp unix/:-1 -cc 3 -co /usr/lib/X11/rgb Notes: - Each VNC line is different by the DISPLAY number (this number is given twice), and the -rfbport option which is the TCP port number entered t
c) GNOME (gdm) The gdm configuration file is /etc/X11/gdm/gdm.conf. This file is divided into sections. The XDMCP lists the following: [xdmcp] Enable=0 HonorIndirect=0 ... Set the 'Enable' parameter to 1. [xdmcp] Enable=1 HonorIndirect=0 This modification will take effect after rebooting Linux, or invoking init twice to change the runlevel (example init 3 then init 5). Then the Xvnc daemon must be run through /etc/inittab. Copy govnc.LINUX from the Axel CD-ROM to /etc and rename it to govnc.
The following shows the govnc script: DISPLAY=":"$1 PORT=`expr 5900 + $1` GEOMETRY=$2 if [ "$3" = "8" ]; then BPP="-depth 8 -cc 3" else BPP="-depth 16" fi HOST=`hostname` /usr/local/bin/Xvnc $DISPLAY -ac -query $HOST -once -terminate -geometry 800x600 -depth 8 -rfbwait 120000 -rfbport $PORT -fp unix/:-1 -cc 3 -co /usr/lib/X11/rgb IMPORTANT: The -fp unix/:-1 option requires a font server to be available. If the font server is not enabled, the Xvnc daemon will terminate.
3.3.2 - SCO OPENSERVER a) SCO OpenServer 5.0.6 and 5.0.5 Under SCO the scologin daemon provides services similar to those provided by init, getty and login on character terminals: i.e. prompting for login name and password, authenticating the user and running a "session". The /usr/lib/X11/scologin/Xservers file lists all managed X terminals. A VNC session is treated as a local connection by Linux (not as a 'foreign' connection).
b) Previous Versions of SCO OpenServer With previous versions of SCO scologin cannot be used. The Xvnc daemon must be run through /etc/inittab. Copy govnc.SCO to /etc and rename it to govnc.
3.3.3 - UNIXWARE 7 The following has been qualified for UnixWare 7.1.0 (after applying the ptf7408 and ptf7446) and UnixWare 7.1.1. X terminals are handled by dtlogin under UnixWare. The parameter file of dtlogin is /usr/dt/config/Xservers. For each VNC session, add the following lines (below two Platine VNC sessions are configured): :1 local@none /usr/local/bin/Xvnc :1 -ac -geometry 800x600 -depth 8 -fp /usr/X11R6.1/lib/X11/fonts/misc/,/usr/X11R6.1/lib/X11/fonts/Speedo/,/usr/ X11R6.
3.3.4 - OPEN UNIX 8 X terminals are handled by dtlogin under Open Unix 8 The parameter file of dtlogin is /usr/dt/config/Xservers. For each VNC session, add the following lines (below two Platine VNC sessions are configured): :1 local@none /usr/local/bin/Xvnc :1 -ac -geometry 800x600 -depth 8 -cc 3 -rfbwait 120000 -rfbport 5901 -fp /usr/X11R6.1/lib/X11/fonts/misc/,/usr /X11R6.1/lib/X11/fonts/Speedo/,/usr/X11R6.1/lib/X11/fonts/Type1/,/usr/X11 R6.1/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/,/usr/X11R6.
3.3.5 - AIX Note: in this chapter we assume that the CDE windows manager is used by the AIX main console. If not, see the chapter about the installation under Linux with kdm. X terminals are handled by dtlogin under AIX. The parameter file of dtlogin is /usr/dt/config/Xservers.
If the keyboard management is not correct (i.e. unable enter the username through the X login box), the /usr/dt/config/Xconfig file must be modified. This file describes X terminal settings. The following line could be in the file: Dtlogin*setup: Xsetup This line means the Xsetup file is used by ALL X terminals.
3.3.6 - SUN OS 5.6 X terminals are handled by dtlogin under Sun OS. The parameter file of dtlogin is /usr/dt/config/Xservers.
3.3.8 - HP-UX 11 X terminals are handled by dtlogin under HP-UX. The parameter file of dtlogin is /etc/dt/config/Xservers. For each VNC session, add the following lines (below two Platine VNC sessions are configured): :1 local@none /usr/local/bin/Xvnc :1 -ac -geometry 800x600 -depth 8 -cc 3 -rfbwait 120000 -rfbport 5901 -co /usr/lib/X11/rgb -fp /usr/lib/X11/fonts /misc/,/usr/lib/X11/fonts/hp_roman8/75dpi/,/usr/dt/config/xfonts/C,/usr/l ib/X11/fonts/iso_8859.
-4USING THE AX3000 Installing and Using the Axel-VNCviewer 27
4.1 - OPENING A SESSION The default keystroke used to open a session is (where is a function key from to ). When the VNC authentication is enabled (see Chapter 6.1) the VNC password must be entered. If the VNC authentication fails the VNC session is disconnected. On successful authentication, the Axel-VNCviewer displays a graphical login screen or a previously opened session depending which type of disconnection was previously performed 4.
4.2.3 - Forced Disconnection Another VNC viewer has opened a VNC session with the same TCP port as the AX3000. In this case, the VNC server closes the AX3000 connection before accepting the second connection. Notes: - To prevent a VNC terminal being disconnected by a second VNC terminal, use the '-dontdisconnect' Xvnc option. Then second VNC terminal connection will be refused. - If a sharable VNC session is needed (i.e. several VNC viewers share the same graphical screen), refer to Chapter 6.2.
-5TECHNICAL INFORMATION 30 Installing and Using the Axel-VNCviewer
The AX3000 offers 4 independent and concurrent sessions. Each session can be used as: - a vnc session, - a text-based session (telnet or tty protocols). 5.1 - VNC SESSION No specific setting is needed for a VNC session (no emulation or function key set up). Technical information: - resolutions: 800x600 and 1024x768 (according to the AX3000 hardware ; see Chapter 6.4), - colours: 256, - default VGA frequency: 72 Hertz, - mouse: a serial 2-button mouse.
The alpha-GUI mode has the following specifications: - only 80-column mode supported, - currently only supports ANSI, VT and WYSE emulations, - scrolling speed is lower, - blinking attribute not supported, - underline attribute supported in colour (which is not the case in real text mode). For more information about this mode, please refer to the Addendum - AlphaGUI.
-6GOING FURTHER WITH VNC Installing and Using the Axel-VNCviewer 33
6.1 - VNC AUTHENTICATION The VNC protocol makes the AX3000 "stateless". If a user disconnects from a given server and subsequently reconnects to that same server, the state of the user interface is preserved. Furthermore, a different client (terminal) can be used to connect the same VNC server. This feature has many useful aspects, but also can have security implications. To provide security in this situation authentication can be enabled: ie a password is required when the VNC connection is opened.
Examples: Two VNC sessions with the same password: :1 local /usr/local/bin/Xvnc :1 -ac -geometry 800x600 -depth 8 -fp unix/:-1 -cc 3 -co /usr/lib/X11/rgb -rfbwait 120000 -rfbport 5901 rfbauth /.vnc/passwd :2 local /usr/local/bin/Xvnc :2 -ac -geometry 800x600 -depth 8 -fp unix/:-1 -cc 3 -co /usr/lib/X11/rgb -rfbwait 120000 -rfbport 5902 rfbauth /.
6.2 - SHARABLE VNC SESSION By default, a VNC session is non-sharable. That means only one viewer can be connected to an Xvnc with a specific TCP port. If a second viewer tries to open the same VNC session as the first viewer, the first viewer is disconnected. (This behaviour can be changed by using the '-dontdisconnect' Xvnc option). It is however possible to share the same graphics session between several VNC viewers. Example: lessons or training.
6.3 - XVNC DAEMON The usage of Xvnc is: Xvnc : [options] The main options are: : : DISPLAY number handled by Xvnc (for example ":1") -geometry : screen size -depth D : number of bits per pixel (8 bits = 256 colours) -cc : colour visual class (for more information, see next chapter) -co : colour database file -fp : default font path(s). See Chapter 7.2. -rfbport : TCP port used for the connection.
6.4 - USING A DIFFERENT RESOLUTION 6.4.1 - Checking Available Resolutions The minimum resolution supported by the AX3000 is 800x600. A higher resolution of 1024x768 is available for later models (1Mb memory models). To find out the memory size, press and enter the AX3000 Set-Up. Select the '?' on the far right and press . Check the VGA parameter value in the displayed dialog box. If this value is followed by (1Mb), 1024x768 resolution is supported. If not only 800x600 is available.
6.5 - RUNNING SOFTWARE WITHOUT DISPLAY MANAGER OR DESKTOP The display manager and desktop processes allow a user to be authenticated (display manager) and run utilities or software through menus or icons (desktop). The process groups involved by these are mechanisms: Software Desktop: KDE, GNOME, XFCE... Display manager: XDM, GDM, XDM... Xvnc This environment (login + desktop) is both safe and easy to use, but requires a large amount of memory.
created during the use of Netscape). Alternatively rdesktop software (RDP client) doesn't need a window manager. 6.5.1 - The RunScriptVNC Script The RunScriptVNC script first runs the Xvnc daemon, then runs (in a loop) the dedicated application (binary or script). The axvnc utility (see Chapter 3.2) automatically creates RunScriptVNC in /etc.
Note: the RunScriptVNC parameters are the screen number, the resolution, the number of colours (bits/pixel) and the dedicated application (absolute pathname and parameters). 6.5.2 - Internet Terminal: Automatically Running Netscape Instead of running the Netscape binary, it's better to run a script which performs the following operations: - running a window manager (twm). As Netscape generally creates windows whilst browsing a windows manager is required.
to attach to a Windows server (TSE or 2000 Advanced Server) using the "RDP 4" protocol. Rather than running the rdesktop binary, there are benefits in running a script which asks the user to press a key before running rdesktop (i.e. opening an RDP connection). This avoids the continual respawning of RDP connections, which are automatically killed by Windows if nobody logs in.
6.6 - USING (X)INETD WITH KDE 2.2 Under a Linux KDE 2.2 environment, the installation method described in Chapter 3.3.1 is based on /etc/inittab. But Xvnc daemons can also be run through inetd (or xinetd). The configuration shown below enables 2 VNC connection ports: - 5950 for 800x600 and 256-colour terminals, - 5952 for 1024x768 and 256-colour terminals. This allows all the 800x600/256-colour terminals to open a VNC connection on the same TCP port (5950).
vnc-800x600-8 vnc-1024x768-8 5950/tcp 5952/tcp Then, check if inetd or xinetd is running. The next operation depends on the daemon. a) xinetd Daemon If the directory /etc/xinetd.d exists, create the file /etc/xinetd.d/vnc and add the following lines. If /etc/xinetd.d does not exist add these lines at the end of /etc/xinetd.
b) inetd Daemon If the directory /etc/inet.d exists, create the file /etc/inet.d/vnc and add the following lines. If /etc/inet.d does not exist add these lines at the end of /etc/inetd.
6.7 - COLOUR CLASS The Axel-VNCviewer supports 256 colours, but some software may display pictures with more than 256 colours, i.e. a website with 16-bit per pixel pictures. To handle this many colours the Xvnc daemon must modify the 'colour class’ and this may change the appearance of the picture. This colour modification strategy is controlled by the Xvnc option '-cc' (colour class).
-7TROUBLESHOOTING Installing and Using the Axel-VNCviewer 47
7.1 - THE AX3000 DISPLAY IS BLACK OR DISTORTED The default VGA frequency used by the AX3000 is 70 Hertz. If the VGA monitor does not support this frequency the display will be black or distorted (vertical sync is lost). To fix this problem either use a more modern monitor (SVGA) or perform one of the following operations depending on the AX3000 mode (see Chapter 5.3): a) Real Text Mode Enter the AX3000 Set up () and select the [Configuration]→ [Advanced]→[Tunings] menu.
7.2 - AX3000 FONTS ARE NOT AS EXCEPTED The X server (either the main console or the Xvnc daemon) locates the available fonts through the '-fp' option (see Chapter 6.3). The '-fp' option lists - the font path names (ex.: /usr/lib/X11/font/misc) - the available font servers. A font server can be located anywhere on the network (ex.: tcp/mysf:5701) or local (ex.: unix/:-1). Example: -fp unix/:-1,/usr/lib/X11/font/misc/,/usr/lib/X11/font/Type1/ Caution: Be careful of the argument’s order .
7.3 - LINUX: 'WHO' COMMAND DOESN'T LIST VNC USERS The 'who' command (used to list connected users) does not show users connected via a VNC session. This problem is common to all X terminals using xdm, as xdm does not update utmp/wtmp entries. To fix this problem two scripts must be created. One to add a utmp/wtmp entry and the other to remove the entry. These utmp/wtmp modifications are performed by the system command sessreg.
7.4 - RED HAT: DPMS ERROR MESSAGE After entering your username and password, the message "X11 server lacks DPMS support" may be displayed. To prevent this invoke the following command: # rm -f /usr/share/applnk/Settings/Desktop/kcmdpms.kdelnk 7.5 - SCO: KEYBOARD DIFFICULTIES WITH SCOTERM The ScoTerm application is the default 'graphical' shell offered by SCO. Within the ScoTerm box sometimes the keyboard management is not correct. (There is no problem with other shell boxes, for example XTerm).
7.7 - XVNC: ERROR MESSAGE "FONT FIXED" When the VNC server displays this type of message: Could not open default font 'fixed'. That means no fixed font is available. Note: the font paths handled by Xvnc are given by the '-fp' option. Three methods are available to fix this problem: 1 - Check if your Linux is consistent (for instance, are there directories on the Xvnc font path which don't actually exist on your system). To fix that use the 'mkfontdir' command or update Linux by installing packages.
14 Avenue du Québec Bât. K2 - BP 728 91962 Courtabœuf cedex - FRANCE Tel.: +33.1.69.28.27.27 - Fax: +33.1.69.28.82.04 - Email: info@axel.
