Installing and configuring an X server

What is an X server?

An X server is not a server for distributing your perfect models output!

An X server is basically a program running on your local computer that understands the X Windows System protocol used by the remote Linux servers to generate graphics, and that can render (i.e. display) the graphics on your local computer.

Using an X server on Linux

Linux computers come pre-configured with a running X server (because they need it for displaying local graphics) that will display the graphics generated locally and on remote Linux servers. You don't need to do anything special!

Using an X server on Windows

There are several options available

Installing VcXsrv

VcXsrv is pre-installed on the LSCE Windows computers! You may want to check if a more recent version is available You surely want to follow the configuration steps, in order to get the best possible settings to work with PuTTY!

Type: free

Download the installer from VcXrsv and install VcXsrv.

VcXsrv Configuration

You need to configure VcXsrv to work in multiple windows mode. The following steps will show you how to create a shortcut on your desktop to start VcXsrv in this appropriate mode

Start the configuration tool: Start ⇒ VcXsrv ⇒ Xlaunch

Select Multiple windows, then Next

Select Start no client, then Next

Keep the default Clipboard settings, uncheck Native opengl (not sure about that…), then Next

Click on Save configuration and save an X_Server.xlaunch configuration file on your Desktop, then Terminate.
You should now have a new X_Server icon/shortcut on your Desktop

Start the server by double-clicking on the new X_Server icon

It will seem that nothing happens, but an X icon appears in the right side of the taskbar (you may have to look for it in the Display hidden icons pull-up menu). Your computer is now ready to display remote graphics!

The X server will stop when you close your Windows session or restart the computer. Do not forget to click on the X_Server icon if you know that you will need an X server later

Note: you can right-click on the X icon and select Exit… if you need to quit the X server

You are now ready, if you only need VcXsrv to display graphical windows from remote servers

The following steps allow you to test the X server in a local WSL+Ubuntu terminal. Do not set the DISPLAY variable yourself when you are connected to a remote server with ssh!

Open a local terminal (in WSL+Ubuntu)

Type export DISPLAY=localhost:0.0

Type xterm and check that a new xterm terminal appears

Installing x410

Type: commercial

x410 is a low cost commercial X server that can be directly installed from the Microsoft store. Once installed, it will be automatically updated by the Microsoft Store application.

Starting, configuring and exiting X410: you can start X410 by clicking on it in the Windows Start Menu, or choose to Automatically Start X410 on Login

Note: nothing actually happens when you start X410, as it is just waiting to display graphics! You will just get a new X icon in the hidden icons of the taskbar.

You can configure (and exit) X410 by right clicking on its X icon

Installing MobaXterm

Type: commercial

Available at MobaXterm, not tested. This seems to be more than just an X server, and may be an overkill if you just need an X server

Troubleshooting

Note: if you use VcXsrv and the content of some displayed X windows appear blurry, see if you can fix the compatibility settings, or try to use x410.

Using an X server on an Apple computer

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