Step‑by‑Step Guide to Install and Configure TigerVNC on Rocky Linux 8.9

1. Introduction to VNC

VNC (Virtual Network Console) is a remote control tool that allows a client computer to access a server’s graphical desktop. The typical VNC architecture consists of a client program ( vncviewer) and a server program ( vncserver).

2. Test Environment

The server runs Rocky Linux 8.9 (kernel 4.18.0‑513.5.1.el8_9.x86_64) with IP 192.168.3.168. The client is a Windows 10 machine with IP 192.168.3.35.

3. Installing TigerVNC Server

Install the server package from the default yum repository: dnf -y install tigervnc-server Verify the installation: rpm -qa | grep tigervnc Expected output includes tigervnc-server-1.13.1-2.el8.x86_64 and related packages.

4. Creating VNC Users

Create two regular users and set simple passwords (for demonstration only):

useradd vncuser01</code>
<code>useradd vncuser02</code>
<code>echo 123 | passwd --stdin vncuser01</code>
<code>echo 123 | passwd --stdin vncuser02

5. Configuring the VNC Service

5.1 Start VNC for each user

Switch to the first user and launch the server (password must be at least six characters):

su - vncuser01</code>
<code>vncserver

The server creates a desktop :1 and stores configuration in /home/vncuser01/.vnc/. Repeat for the second user, which creates desktop :2.

5.2 View‑only password (optional)

When prompted, answer n to skip a view‑only password.

5.3 Verify listening ports

netstat -tulnp

Ports 5901 and 5902 should be in LISTEN state.

5.4 Enable automatic start

Enable the systemd unit for each display (note the service name cannot be auto‑completed with Tab):

systemctl enable vncserver@:1.service</code>
<code>systemctl enable vncserver@:2.service

5.5 Map displays to users

Edit /etc/tigervnc/vncserver.users to assign displays:

# TigerVNC User assignment
:1=vncuser01
:2=vncuser02

5.6 Open firewall ports

firewall-cmd --add-port=5901/tcp --permanent</code>
<code>firewall-cmd --add-port=5902/tcp --permanent</code>
<code>firewall-cmd --reload

5.7 Verify service status

systemctl status vncserver@:1.service</code>
<code>systemctl status vncserver@:2.service

Both services should be active (running).

6. Client Connection

On a Windows 10 workstation, use UltraVNC Viewer (or any VNC client) to connect to 192.168.3.168:5901 and 192.168.3.168:5902 with the passwords set earlier. Successful login displays the remote desktop for vncuser01 and vncuser02 respectively.

Screenshot examples (client UI) are shown below:

Login succeeded; the same steps apply for the second user.