Export Display to Ubuntu

by Jordan Emmorey

v0.1 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

0. TOC and Purpose
1. Background
2. Use
3. Resources
4. Contact
5. Keywords
6. Disclaimer

0. TOC and Purpose

The purpose of this is paper is to document a procedure which can be cryptic for Ubuntu users.

1. Background

Ubuntu 9.10/9.04 have gdm configured to disallow TCP connections which prevents exporting your DISPLAY to an Ubuntu box without an additional step.

2. Use

There are two methods to quickly export your DISPLAY to an Ubuntu box. The first step in configuring either method is to add the IP/host you are exporting from to the access control program for X (xhost). The syntax for this if your IP was 10.11.12.3 and/or your hostname is ubuntuserver.example.org is:

xhost +10.11.12.3 
or
xhost +ubuntuserver.example.org

Now that we have added the exporter's IP or host to xhost, we can configured the server being exported to to allow those connections.

The first method is to use ssh X forwarding. If the sshd on the server you are exporting from have "X11Forwarding yes" in it's /etc/ssh/sshd_config, then you should be able to 'ssh -X This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .3' and then run whatever application you want to export, i.e. xclock or xterm.

The other method requires adding the following to /etc/gdm/custom.conf:

[security]

DisallowTCP=false

Once you have added that, you can reboot your Ubuntu server to restart gdm. After gdm has been restarted you can export your DISPLAY and then run whatever x program you would like.

3. Resources

• X2xHowto

4. Contact

Thanks for reading. If you have any comments, suggestions or gripes please feel free to send them along. I'm always hungry for feedback. Thanks. Contact me via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

5. Keywords

Linux, Ubuntu, server, desktop, 9.10, 9.04, karmic, export, display, ssh, X, X11, xorg, X11Forwarding, sshd

6. Disclaimer

Obsecurities is furnishing this item "as is". Obsecurities does not provide any warranty of the item whatsoever, whether express, implied, or statutory, including, but not limited to, any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or any warranty that the contents of the item will be error-free.

In no respect shall obsecurities incur any liability for any damages, including, but limited to, direct, indirect, special, or consequential damages arising out of, resulting from, or any way connected to the use of the item, whether or not based upon warranty, contract, tort, or otherwise; whether or not injury was sustained by persons or property or otherwise; and whether or not loss was sustained from, or arose out of, the results of, the item, or any services that may be provided by Obsecurities.