On Sat, 26 May 2007 17:47:36 -0400 (EDT)
Nuitari <nuitari@melchior.nuitari.net> wrote:
> >> Hi,
> >>    Is it possible to run a complete Gnome desktop from a remote
> >> location through ssh? I'm not talking about using vnc to watch a
> >> remote desktop but actually run one remotely and only have it
> >> displayed here.
> >
> > SSH also includes functionality to allow X11 forwarding through the
> > encrypted SSH connection.
> 
> You'll need a fast (100mbps+) lan for it, even with the ssh
> compression enabled.
> 

True (although I'd say 10mbps can be fast enough, depending on how
much other network traffic there is), but with a fast enough network &
slow enough processors, it can be better NOT to use compression, as
compression requires CPU time on both sides of the connection, possibly
adding more latency than would be saved by lower data transfer on the
network.

> VNC is a much more efficient protocol then X11 for remote desktop.

For running a complete Gnome desktop session, I'd agree VNC is usually
better.  But for running individual remote programs that use smaller
windows, X can be pretty efficient.  And there's other advantages X has
over VNC, like hardware accelerated graphics.


Conway S. Smith