Remote graphical login via X2Go

Prerequisites

In order to connect to the graphical interface of a computer in the FIM PC labs, you first need a connection to the university network — either directly on-campus, or via the university VPN if you are using it externally, for example from home. The VPN software and corresponding instructions can be found on the VPN page of the Centre of Information Technology and Media Services (ZIM). You will also need the X2Go software, which is available for Windows, MacOS and Linux. Please note that on MacOS, you will have to install the "XQuartz" X server before installing X2Go.

Note: When using X2Go, graphics content is transferred. This results in large amounts of data. With slower Internet connections, this can cause delays in image display. In this case, consider whether a less data-intensive remote login via SSH would be sufficient for your current application.

For an overview of the hostnames of all currently available pool computers, please visit the website ciphosts.fim.uni-passau.de.

Connecting

Start X2Go. The first time you start X2Go, the dialogue for creating a new connection is automatically displayed. You can also create a new connection using the "New session" menu item in the X2Go main window. Enter the following information:

Session name: Any name you like for the new connection
Host: The name of the computer you want to connect to, followed by ".fim.uni-passau.de".
Login: Your FIM username
Session type: XFCE (KDE and Gnome are also available on the lab PCs, but they are not compatible with X2Go)

In the main window of X2Go, you will now see your newly created connection on the right. Click the connection icon to start the connection.

You will see a login dialogue. Enter your password and confirm by clicking OK.

The first time you log in to a machine, X2Go will ask you to confirm that machine's host key to ensure the security of future connections. You can simply confirm this question by clicking Yes.

If you're using X2Go on Windows for the first time, you must also allow access to a local X server in the firewall.

Once the connection is established, you will see your desktop on the target computer in a separate window. You can change the size of the window; the desktop will automatically adjust to the new size.

Disconnecting

To log out, you can use the session menu in the upper right corner of the X2Go desktop as usual, or simply close the X2Go window. In either case, all running programs are terminated, so any unsaved changes are lost (see "Can I keep programs running after I log out?").