How To Install VNC Server on Manjaro

Virtual Network Computing (VNC) enables remote desktop access to Manjaro Linux systems from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re managing servers remotely or accessing your desktop computer while traveling, setting up a VNC server provides secure and efficient remote connectivity. This comprehensive guide covers the complete installation and configuration process for TigerVNC server on Manjaro Linux, including security hardening and optimization techniques.

Prerequisites and System Requirements

Before beginning the VNC server installation on Manjaro, ensure your system meets the necessary requirements. A modern Manjaro Linux installation with at least 2GB of RAM provides optimal performance for remote desktop sessions. The system should have a stable network connection and sufficient storage space for VNC components.

System Compatibility Assessment

Manjaro Linux supports VNC servers across all major desktop environments including XFCE, KDE Plasma, and GNOME. Each desktop environment requires specific configuration adjustments for optimal VNC performance. XFCE typically offers the best resource efficiency for remote sessions, while KDE Plasma provides advanced features at the cost of higher bandwidth usage.

Hardware requirements vary depending on intended usage patterns. Basic remote administration requires minimal resources, while graphics-intensive applications need dedicated GPU capabilities and increased memory allocation. Network bandwidth directly impacts user experience, with broadband connections recommended for smooth desktop interaction.

Essential Package Dependencies

Update your system packages before installing VNC components to prevent compatibility issues:

sudo pacman -Syu
sudo pacman -S base-devel openssh

The base-devel package group provides compilation tools necessary for certain VNC configurations. OpenSSH enables secure tunneling capabilities, which are crucial for production VNC deployments. Additionally, ensure your firewall software is installed and configured properly.

Understanding VNC Solutions for Manjaro

TigerVNC vs Alternative VNC Implementations

TigerVNC represents the most robust VNC solution for Manjaro Linux systems due to its active development, performance optimizations, and extensive feature set. Unlike older implementations such as TightVNC or RealVNC, TigerVNC provides native systemd integration and modern security features.

The software offers superior performance through advanced encoding algorithms and compression techniques. Multi-threading capabilities enable concurrent connections without significant performance degradation. TigerVNC also supports both virtual desktop sessions and screen sharing modes, providing flexibility for different use cases.

Virtual Sessions vs Screen Sharing Modes

Virtual desktop sessions create independent display environments separate from the physical console. This approach allows multiple users to access different virtual desktops simultaneously while maintaining system security. Virtual sessions consume additional system resources but provide better isolation and stability.

Screen sharing mode captures the existing physical desktop display, enabling remote access to the current user session. This method requires less system resources but limits concurrent access and may expose sensitive information if multiple users share the same session.

Installing TigerVNC Server on Manjaro

Package Installation Process

Install TigerVNC using Manjaro’s package manager with the following command:

sudo pacman -S tigervnc

This command downloads and installs the complete TigerVNC package including server components, client applications, and necessary dependencies. The installation process typically completes within minutes depending on network speed and system performance.

Post-Installation Verification

Verify successful installation by checking the installed package version:

pacman -Q tigervnc
vncserver -help

The installation includes several key components: vncserver (main server binary), vncviewer (client application), vncpasswd (password management), and various configuration utilities. These tools provide comprehensive VNC functionality for both server and client operations.

Initial VNC Server Configuration

Setting Up VNC Authentication

Create a secure VNC password using the vncpasswd utility:

vncpasswd

The system prompts for a password between 6-8 characters in length. Choose a strong password combining letters, numbers, and symbols to enhance security. The utility also offers an optional view-only password that allows remote monitoring without interaction capabilities.

Password files are stored in the ~/.vnc directory with restricted permissions (600) for enhanced security. Regular password updates improve overall system security, especially in multi-user environments or public networks.

Configuring User Display Mappings

Edit the vncserver.users file to assign virtual displays to specific users:

sudo nano /etc/tigervnc/vncserver.users

Add user mappings using the format :display=username. For example:

:1=johnuser
:2=janeuser
:3=adminuser

Each display number corresponds to a specific TCP port (5900 + display number). Display :1 uses port 5901, display :2 uses port 5902, and so forth. This mapping system enables multiple concurrent VNC sessions on a single server.

Creating User-Specific Configuration Files

Create a personal VNC configuration file for customized settings:

mkdir -p ~/.vnc
nano ~/.vnc/config

Add essential configuration parameters:

session=xfce
geometry=1920x1080
localhost
alwaysshared

The session parameter specifies the desktop environment to launch during VNC connections. Common options include xfce, kde, gnome, and i3 depending on installed desktop environments. The geometry setting defines screen resolution, while localhost restricts connections to local access only for enhanced security.

Systemd Service Integration

Understanding Modern VNC Service Management

Contemporary TigerVNC installations utilize systemd for service management rather than legacy startup scripts. This approach provides better process monitoring, automatic restart capabilities, and integration with system logging mechanisms.

Systemd services offer several advantages including dependency management, resource limiting, and standardized service control commands. The integration also enables automatic VNC server startup during system boot processes.

Creating Custom Service Configuration

Create a systemd service file for your VNC server:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/vncserver@.service

Add the following service configuration:

[Unit]
Description=Remote desktop service (VNC)
After=syslog.target network.target

[Service]
Type=forking
User=%i
Group=%i
WorkingDirectory=/home/%i
PIDFile=/home/%i/.vnc/%H:%i.pid
ExecStartPre=/bin/sh -c '/usr/bin/vncserver -kill :%i > /dev/null 2>&1 || :'
ExecStart=/usr/bin/vncserver :%i -localhost
ExecStop=/usr/bin/vncserver -kill :%i

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Service Management Commands

Enable and start the VNC service for specific displays:

sudo systemctl enable vncserver@:1.service
sudo systemctl start vncserver@:1.service
sudo systemctl status vncserver@:1.service

These commands respectively enable automatic startup, start the service immediately, and display current service status. The service can be stopped or restarted using similar systemctl commands with stop or restart parameters.

Security Configuration and Hardening

SSH Tunnel Implementation

SSH tunneling provides encrypted communication channels for VNC connections, preventing eavesdropping and unauthorized access. Configure SSH tunneling by modifying the VNC server to accept only localhost connections:

nano ~/.vnc/config

Add or verify the localhost parameter exists in your configuration file. This setting restricts VNC server access to local connections only, requiring SSH tunnel establishment for remote access.

Establishing Secure Connections

Connect to your VNC server through SSH tunneling using the following command structure:

ssh -L 5901:localhost:5901 username@server-ip-address

This command creates a secure tunnel forwarding local port 5901 to the remote server’s VNC port. Subsequently, connect your VNC client to localhost:5901 to establish the encrypted connection.

Firewall Configuration and Port Management

Configure UFW firewall rules for VNC security:

sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw allow ssh
sudo ufw allow from 192.168.1.0/24 to any port 5901

These rules enable the firewall, allow SSH connections, and restrict VNC access to local network addresses only. Adjust the IP range according to your network configuration and security requirements.

Desktop Environment Specific Configuration

XFCE Desktop Environment Setup

XFCE provides excellent VNC performance due to its lightweight architecture and efficient resource utilization. Configure XFCE for VNC by creating a startup script:

nano ~/.vnc/xstartup

Add XFCE startup commands:

#!/bin/bash
xrdb $HOME/.Xdefaults
startxfce4 &

Make the script executable and restart the VNC service:

chmod +x ~/.vnc/xstartup
sudo systemctl restart vncserver@:1.service

KDE Plasma Configuration Considerations

KDE Plasma requires additional configuration for optimal VNC compatibility, particularly regarding X11 and Wayland display protocols. Ensure X11 sessions are available by checking display manager settings:

ls /usr/share/xsessions/

Create a Plasma-specific VNC configuration:

nano ~/.vnc/config

Add Plasma session parameters:

session=plasma
geometry=1920x1080
localhost
depth=24

The depth parameter ensures proper color rendering for Plasma desktop environments.

GNOME Desktop Environment Integration

GNOME desktop requires specific session management for VNC compatibility. Create appropriate session configuration:

nano ~/.vnc/config

Configure GNOME session parameters:

session=gnome
geometry=1920x1080
localhost
alwaysshared

Some GNOME configurations may require additional environment variables or custom startup scripts depending on the specific GNOME version and extensions installed.

VNC Client Connection Setup

Installing VNC Client Applications

Install TigerVNC viewer for connecting to VNC servers:

sudo pacman -S tigervnc

Alternative VNC clients include RealVNC, TightVNC, and platform-specific applications for Windows, macOS, and mobile devices. Each client offers different features and performance characteristics suitable for various use cases.

Establishing VNC Connections

Connect to your VNC server using the client application:

vncviewer localhost:1

For SSH tunnel connections, establish the tunnel first:

ssh -L 5901:localhost:5901 username@server-address
vncviewer localhost:1

The connection process prompts for the VNC password configured earlier. Successful authentication provides access to the remote desktop environment.

Troubleshooting Common VNC Issues

Connection and Authentication Problems

Common connection issues include incorrect port configurations, firewall blocking, and authentication failures. Verify service status and port availability:

sudo systemctl status vncserver@:1.service
sudo netstat -tlnp | grep :5901

Check firewall rules and ensure proper port forwarding for remote connections. Authentication problems often result from incorrect password configuration or permission issues with VNC password files.

Black Screen and Display Issues

Black screen problems typically indicate desktop environment startup failures or session configuration errors. Check VNC server logs for detailed error information:

tail -f ~/.vnc/*.log

Common solutions include updating desktop environment session configurations, checking display manager settings, and verifying X11 session availability.

Performance and Network Optimization

Slow VNC performance often results from suboptimal encoding settings or network bandwidth limitations. Adjust compression and encoding parameters in the VNC client:

• Use Tight encoding for low bandwidth connections
• Enable JPEG compression for faster image transfer
• Reduce color depth for improved performance
• Adjust compression levels based on network conditions

Service Management and Systemd Issues

Systemd service failures require careful log analysis and configuration verification:

journalctl -u vncserver@:1.service -f

Common issues include incorrect user permissions, missing dependencies, and configuration file syntax errors. Verify service file syntax and user assignments in the vncserver.users file.

Performance Optimization Strategies

Encoding and Compression Configuration

TigerVNC supports multiple encoding algorithms optimized for different network conditions and use cases. Configure encoding preferences in VNC client applications:

• Tight encoding: Optimal for low bandwidth connections with good compression ratios
• ZRLE encoding: Balanced performance for mixed content types
• Raw encoding: Maximum speed for high-bandwidth local networks
• Hextile encoding: Legacy compatibility with older VNC implementations

Display Resolution and Color Depth Optimization

Balance visual quality with performance requirements by adjusting display parameters:

nano ~/.vnc/config

Optimize resolution and color settings:

geometry=1366x768
depth=16

Lower resolutions and color depths significantly improve performance on slower connections while maintaining acceptable visual quality for most administrative tasks.

Network Bandwidth Management

Implement bandwidth optimization techniques for remote VNC access:

• Enable adaptive compression based on connection quality
• Use SSH compression in conjunction with VNC encoding
• Configure client-side caching for improved responsiveness
• Implement connection throttling for multiple concurrent sessions

Advanced Configuration Options

Multiple VNC Server Management

Configure multiple parallel VNC servers for different users or purposes:

sudo nano /etc/tigervnc/vncserver.users

Add multiple display assignments:

:1=user1
:2=user2
:3=admin
:4=development

Each server instance operates independently with separate configurations, passwords, and desktop environments. This approach enables segregated access control and resource allocation.

Automation and Maintenance Scripts

Create automated maintenance scripts for VNC server management:

nano ~/vnc-maintenance.sh

Include essential maintenance tasks:

#!/bin/bash
# VNC Server Maintenance Script

# Restart VNC services
sudo systemctl restart vncserver@:1.service

# Clean temporary files
rm -rf ~/.vnc/tmp/*

# Update log rotation
logrotate ~/.vnc/logrotate.conf

# Check service status
systemctl status vncserver@:1.service

Integration with Remote Access Solutions

Combine VNC with other remote access technologies for comprehensive management capabilities:

• SSH port forwarding for secure access
• VPN integration for network-level security
• Jump host configuration for multi-tier access
• Load balancing for high-availability deployments

Security Best Practices and Hardening

Access Control Implementation

Implement comprehensive access control mechanisms:

sudo nano /etc/hosts.allow

Configure TCP wrapper restrictions:

vncserver: 192.168.1.0/255.255.255.0

This configuration limits VNC access to specific network ranges, enhancing overall security posture.

Monitoring and Audit Logging

Enable comprehensive logging for security monitoring:

nano ~/.vnc/config

Add logging parameters:

session=xfce
geometry=1920x1080
localhost
log=*:syslog:30

Regular log analysis helps identify unauthorized access attempts and system issues. Implement automated log monitoring for proactive security management.

Regular Security Updates

Maintain current VNC software versions through regular system updates:

sudo pacman -Syu
sudo systemctl restart vncserver@:1.service

Subscribe to security advisories for TigerVNC and related components. Implement automated update procedures where appropriate while maintaining system stability.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed VNC Server. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the latest version of the VNC Server remote desktop client on Manjaro system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Manjaro website.