Using VNC On Raspberry Pi to display GUI

Brief introduction To Raspberry Pi

Virtual Network Computing (VNC)

VNC is remote control software which allows you to view and interact with one computer (the "server") using a simple program (the "viewer") on another computer anywhere on the Internet.

VNC Protocol
The VNC protocol is a simple protocol for remote access to graphical user interfaces. It is based on the concept of a remote frame buffer or RFB.

RFB protocol
RFB (Remote Frame Buffer) is a simple protocol for remote access to graphical user interfaces. A Framebuffer is a video output device that drives a video display from a memory buffer containing a complete frame of data.

VNC Servers
Writing an VNC server is slightly harder than writing a client for a number of reasons. The protocol is designed to make the client as simple as possible, so it is usually up to the server to perform any necessary translations. For example, the server must provide pixel data in the format the client wants. There are servers Unix, Windows and Macintosh platforms A Unix machine can run a number of Xvnc servers for different users, each of which represents a distinct VNC desktop. Each VNC desktop is like a virtual X display, with a root window on which several X applications can be displayed.

VNC Clients
Writing an VNC viewer is a simple task, as it should be for any thin-client system. It requires only a reliable transport (usually TCP/IP), and a way of displaying pixels (either directly writing to the frame buffer, or going through a windowing system). VNC clients exist for all flavours of Unix, Windows, Macintosh, Java and for smaller hand-held appliances.

Servers and Viewers

RealVNC http://www.realvnc.com/ TightVNC http://www.tightvnc.com/ UltraVNC http://ultravnc.sourceforge.net/ Chicken of the VNC
http://sourceforge.net/projects/cotvnc/

OSXvnc http://www.redstonesoftware.com/vnc.html

Setting VNC Server In Raspberry PI

Install VNC (Virtual Network Computing) server software on the Raspberry Pi
Install the Tight VNC Server on the Rpi with the following command sudo apt-get install tightvncserver

 when the vncserver runs, it will show what port it is running on. For example: New X desktop is raspberrypi:1 The 1 is needed when connecting. You will need a vnc client installed on your computer. TightVNC offers a free client for Windows.

For example

192.168.200:1

Using a VNC Client on remote client

When you first run VNCViewer, you will see the following:

Enter the IP address of your Raspberry Pi, append :1

The following window will then popup for you to enter your password

You should observe the vnc viewer showing the desktop of Raspberry PI