# Setting Up a GUI on AWS Ubuntu Using VNC
 
This guide covers the setup of a graphical user interface (GUI) on an AWS Ubuntu server using VNC. You can choose between TightVNC Server or RealVNC for this purpose.
 
## Prerequisites
 
- An AWS EC2 Ubuntu instance
- A `.pem` file for SSH access
- VNC client installed on your local machine
 
## Steps
 
### 1. Install VNC Server
First, choose and download a VNC server like TightVNCServer or RealVNC on your Ubuntu instance.
 
```bash
 sudo apt update
 sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop
 sudo apt install tightvncserver
 sudo apt install gnome-panel gnome-settings-daemon metacity nautilus gnome-terminal

2. Secure Shell (SSH) into Your Instance

Use the SSH command to log into your instance:

ssh -i key.pem ubuntu@your-server-ip

3. Update and Upgrade Your Server

Ensure your server is up to date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

4. Install XFCE and VNC Server

Install the XFCE desktop environment and VNC server:

sudo apt install xfce4 xfce4-goodies tightvncserver -y

5. Start and Configure VNC Server

Initialize the VNC server to create the configuration files:

vncserver

You will be prompted to set a password, which will be used to connect to the VNC desktop. After setting the password, terminate the VNC server session to configure it properly:

vncserver -kill :1

6. Configure VNC Startup

Edit the VNC configuration file:

vim ~/.vnc/xstartup

Add the following to ensure XFCE starts with VNC:

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

Make the script executable:

chmod +x ~/.vnc/xstartup

7. Restart the VNC Server

Restart the VNC server to apply changes:

vncserver

8. Configure Security Group (SG) Inbound Rules

Edit the inbound rules on your instance’s security group to allow TCP traffic on port 5901 for screen :1, 5902 for screen :2, etc.

9. Connect From Your Local Machine

Use SSH with port forwarding to connect and start using your GUI:

ssh -L 5901:localhost:5901 -i key.pem ubuntu@your-server-ip

Conclusion

You now have a GUI set up on your AWS Ubuntu instance accessible via VNC. This setup allows you to manage your server through a graphical interface from your local machine.