Allow the remote access to a local display manager

[eUKShane]

Issue:

How do I allow the remote access to a local display manager?

Resolution:

The following modifications are required to make a local display manager remotely accessible :

1. Open the /etc/X11/gdm/gdm.conf file in a text editor.

#vi /etc/X11/gdm/gdm.conf

2. Change Enable from false to true under [xdmcp] section.

[xdmcp]
# Distributions: Ship with this off. It is never a safe thing to leave
# out on the net. Setting up /etc/hosts.allow and /etc/hosts.deny to only
# allow local access is another alternative but not the safest.
# Firewalling port 177 is the safest if you wish to have xdmcp on.
# Read the manual for more notes on the security of XDMCP.

Enable=true

3. Edit the file /etc/sysconfig/desktop and add the line given below if it is not already there:

#vi /etc/sysconfig/desktop
DISPLAYMANAGER="GNOME"

4. Edit the file /etc/inittab and change the runlevel to 5 if it is on some other level.

vi /etc/inittab
id:5:initdefault:
...
# Run xdm in runlevel 5
x:5:respawn:/etc/X11/prefdm -nodaemon

5. Re-examine the /etc/inittab file

# init q

6. Test the settings:

# X :1 localhost -query

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Best Regards,
eUKShane
http://www.eukhost.com