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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 remote Linux servers to generate graphics, and that can render (i.e. display) the graphics generated remotely on your local computer.
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!
There are several options available
VcXsrv
is pre-installed on the LSCE Windows computers!
Type: free
Download the installer from VcXrsv and install VcXsrv.
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
⇒ VcXsrv
⇒ Xlaunch
Multiple windows
, then Next
Start no client
, then Next
Clipboard
settings, uncheck Native opengl
, then Next
Save configuration
and save an X_Server.xlaunch
configuration file on your Desktop, then Terminate
.X_Server
icon/shortcut on your DesktopX_Server
iconX_Server
icon on your desktop if you know that you will need an X server laterX
icon and select Exit…
if you need to quit the X serverx410 is a low cost commercial X server that can be directly installed from the Microsoft store.
This is an X server, and you will get the same functionalities as what is already provided for free by VcXsrv but:
x410
will be automatically updated by the Microsoft Store applicationx410
again by just Connecting the MS Store to your account on the new computer. No need to but it againVcXsrv
x410
name is easier to remember! Type: commercial
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
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
Nothing special to do!
If you have installed WSL+Ubuntu on your local machine, and you need your X server to display graphics generated in WSL, you need to define the DISPLAY variable: export DISPLAY=localhost:0.0
The idea is to:
DISPLAY
environment variable is correctly defined on the local machineDISPLAY
variable is defined on the remote machinexterm
) on the remote machineSome basic commands in a terminal
[Local] $ hostname name_of_your_local_machine [Local] $ echo $DISPLAY :0 [Local] $ ssh -X some_login@some_remote_server [some connection information skipped here] [Remote] $ hostname name_of_the_remote_server [Remote] $ echo $DISPLAY localhost:20.0 [Remote] $ xterm
We just open a Powershell
window (Start
⇒ Windows Powershell
⇒ Windows Powershell
) and type some basic commands
PS C:\> $env:computername name_of_your_local_machine PS C:\> $env:DISPLAY PS C:\> $env:DISPLAY="localhost:0" PS C:\> $env:DISPLAY localhost:0 PS C:\> ssh -Y some_login@some_remote_server Warning: No xauth data; using fake authentication data for X11 forwarding. [some connection information skipped here] [Remote] $ hostname name_of_the_remote_server [Remote] $ echo $DISPLAY localhost:19.0 [Remote] $ xterm
We assume here that PuTTY is already installed and configured
We just have to open a pre-configured Session on a remote server
[Remote] $ hostname name_of_the_remote_server [Remote] $ echo $DISPLAY localhost:19.0 [Remote] $ xterm
export DISPLAY=localhost:0.0
That's unfortunate, but:
DISPLAY
variable defined correctly on the local and remote computer?It's hard to know what the best OpenGL settings for your X server are: it depends on your local computer, the remote computer, the network speed, the application generating the graphics, the libraries' versions…
Native opengl
is activated in VcXsrv, you may have to also use the following environment variable on the remote computer: export LIBGL_ALWAYS_INDIRECT=1
VcXsrv
and the content of some displayed X windows appear blurry, see if you can fix the compatibility settings, or try to use x410.
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