Remote Connection (VNC)

The Remote Connection application allows a thin client to be controlled remotely via VNC.

The ThinClient’s screen content is displayed on the local computer. Mouse and keyboard inputs are sent from the local computer back to the ThinClient.

Establish the remote connection after a user logs in or after autologin completes.

Configuration

Application Settings

Setting

Value

Explanation

Allow connection

Request user permission

Always allow

Whether the connection should always be allowed or must be confirmed by the user.

Show Disconnect Dialog

Yes

No

Whether a dialog box is displayed on the thin client that allows the VNC connection to be easily disconnected.

Password settings

Setting

Value

Explanation

Password type

Plain text

None

Use base64-encoded hash

Use password file

Configure a password for the VNC connection as needed.

Value

In this field, set a value depending on the password type selected above.

Plain text (less secure):

The password is transmitted unencrypted when the client starts.

Enter any password in plain text in the Value field.

None:

Use this option only with "Require user authentication".

Use base64-encoded hash:

The contents of a VNC password file are transferred in Base64-encoded form.
Detailed instructions appear below under "Creating a Password."

Use password file:

Transfer a pre-encrypted password file to the client through the custom folder.
Creating a Password Follow these steps to generate a password: Open the configuration interface. Select the authentication method. Enter the desired password. Confirm the password. Save the settings. Workarounds If the primary method fails, try these workarounds: Use a different authentication method. Verify network connectivity. Reapply the configuration.

Workarounds

Setting	Value	Explanation
Regular display refresh	Yes Disable the option.	Set option `-snapfb` Copies the X server's display buffer to main memory at regular intervals and checks the copy for changes, rather than querying the X server for changes. This approach can reduce very slow display updates. It's relatively memory intensive and may improve performance.
Ignore Caps Lock	Yes No	Set option `-skip_lockkeys` Process key symbols received from VNC viewers for the Caps Lock, Shift, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock keys. This setting can resolve issues related to Caps Lock status transmission.
Additional parameters		Any options for the `x11vnc`server A list of all options with descriptions can be found in the manual.

Create a password

Open a shell on a thin client by pressing CTRL+ALT+T
Create a new VNC password file using the command:

 x11vnc -storepasswd

Example:

user@host:~$ x11vnc -storepasswd
Enter VNC password: 
Verify password:    
Write password to /home/tcos/.vnc/passwd?  [y]/n
Password written to: /home/tcos/.vnc/passwd

as a password file

Launch a browser.
Open the openthinclient Manager.
Open the file manager and navigate to the Custom folder.
Place the file rootfs in a directory of choice.
Navigate to the remote connection to configure.
In the Value field, enter the absolute path on the thin client, i.e., the complete path under rootfs, including the filename and starting with a forward slash.

as a base64-encoded hash

Encode the password using the command:

base64 .vnc/passwd

Example:

user@host:~$ base64 .vnc/passwd
uupsRWpoRwc=

Select the output with the mouse; in the example above: uupsRWpoRwc=.

⚠️ Keep the terminal window open.
Launch a browser.
Open the openthinclient Manager.
Navigate to the remote connection to configure.
Paste the selected base64 output into the Value field using the middle mouse button.

Client Software

Open the integrated VNC viewer directly in the openthinclient Manager. The VNC button appears on the settings page of the corresponding thin client.

Alternatively, use an external VNC viewer, e.g.:

For Linux: TigerVNC software
For Windows, use TightVNC software

Download only the client application because the server's already included in the Remote Connection application.