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Is there anyway to install a window manager and x-server environment on my Centos7 server?

Posted on October 26, 2014

I am running a centos7 server and i was wondering if there was a way to install some packages to run a window manager with a graphical interface when i ssh into the server.

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Andrew SB

October 27, 2014

To run a graphical interface, you’ll want to connect over VNC with a client like TightVNC or RealVNC. First, lets get everything installed and set up on the server.

First we’ll install the GNOME desktop:

sudo yum groupinstall "GNOME Desktop"

Next we’ll install the VNC server:

sudo yum install tigervnc-server

The next step is to setup VNC to start at boot and create a user to login with. Copy the systemd service file:

cp /lib/systemd/system/vncserver@.service /etc/systemd/system/vncserver@:1.service

Now create a new user:

adduser vncuser

Now edit /etc/systemd/system/vncserver@:1.service and replace <USER> with vncuser

Finally start the server:

su -  vncuser
vncserver
exit
systemctl enable vncserver@:1.service
systemctl start vncserver@:1.service

You should now be able to connect to the server using a VNC client at your.ip.address:5901

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