Re: [CentOS] KVM as a desktop
-Original Message- From: centos-boun...@centos.org [mailto:centos-boun...@centos.org] On Behalf Of Les Mikesell Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 5:12 PM To: CentOS mailing list Subject: Re: [CentOS] KVM as a desktop On Tue, Aug 28, 2012 at 9:23 AM, James B. Byrne byrn...@harte-lyne.ca wrote: I am nearing the end of a project that moved our disparate services and hosts onto kvm virtualized servers. What I am now contemplating is setting up my desktop as a virtual host and using one of the guests as my primary workstation. However, I am not sure how this would work in practice. I am accustomed to working with virtual instances via ssh (a terminal window) and with my desktop system in a Gnome window manager. Is there a reference somewhere that outlines the mechanics of logging into a virtual guest's graphical desktop directly from the physical console of the kvm host system? I like to use freenx to host the desktop and the NX client to display it. That should work regardless of whether the desktop is a VM or not and regardless of the OS or location of the display - and it wouldn't surprise me if it performs better than whatever the built-in KVM mechanism uses. Even if you normally work locally, you may find it handy to be able to pick up the display from elsewhere with everything still running and have good performance. -Original Message- Not sure if freeNX is the best way to go. How about x2go: http://www.x2go.org/ Or thinlink from http://www.cendio.com/ Hw __ Dit bericht kan informatie bevatten die niet voor u is bestemd. Indien u niet de geadresseerde bent of dit bericht abusievelijk aan u is toegezonden, wordt u verzocht dat aan de afzender te melden en het bericht te verwijderen. De Staat aanvaardt geen aansprakelijkheid voor schade, van welke aard ook, die verband houdt met risico's verbonden aan het elektronisch verzenden van berichten. This message may contain information that is not intended for you. If you are not the addressee or if this message was sent to you by mistake, you are requested to inform the sender and delete the message. The State accepts no liability for damage of any kind resulting from the risks inherent in the electronic transmission of messages. ___ CentOS mailing list CentOS@centos.org http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos
Re: [CentOS] KVM as a desktop
On Wed, Aug 29, 2012 at 6:13 AM, j.witvl...@mindef.nl wrote: Not sure if freeNX is the best way to go. How about x2go: http://www.x2go.org/ Or thinlink from http://www.cendio.com/ The free version of NX may be on the way out, but currently freenx has the advantage of being a 'yum install' that comes up working with the still available 3.x versions of NX. All you have to do is copy/paste the unique key that the install will generate from /etc/nxserver/client.id.dsa.key into the client config window, pick unix, gnome desktop, and connect. Normally the only thing I touch in the server config is to adjust DISPLAY_BASE to be unique since I often run multiple sessions as the 1st and only user on different targets which would otherwise get the same display number but that won't be necessary on your first install. x2go may have more current work and better support for sound, mapped drives, etc., but I normally just use those facilities from the host with the display or the native network support from host running the desktop. -- Les Mikesell lesmikes...@gmail.com ___ CentOS mailing list CentOS@centos.org http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos
Re: [CentOS] KVM as a desktop
On 08/28/2012 10:37 AM, Akemi Yagi wrote: On Tue, Aug 28, 2012 at 8:12 AM, Les Mikesell lesmikes...@gmail.com wrote: On Tue, Aug 28, 2012 at 9:23 AM, James B. Byrne byrn...@harte-lyne.ca wrote: I am nearing the end of a project that moved our disparate services and hosts onto kvm virtualized servers. What I am now contemplating is setting up my desktop as a virtual host and using one of the guests as my primary workstation. However, I am not sure how this would work in practice. I am accustomed to working with virtual instances via ssh (a terminal window) and with my desktop system in a Gnome window manager. Is there a reference somewhere that outlines the mechanics of logging into a virtual guest's graphical desktop directly from the physical console of the kvm host system? I like to use freenx to host the desktop and the NX client to display it. That should work regardless of whether the desktop is a VM or not and regardless of the OS or location of the display - and it wouldn't surprise me if it performs better than whatever the built-in KVM mechanism uses. Even if you normally work locally, you may find it handy to be able to pick up the display from elsewhere with everything still running and have good performance. The wiki is here: http://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/FreeNX Also look into spice: http://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/Spice-libvirt I do several Windows desktops with spice I think I would use freenx for a linux desktop .. unless sound is important, then spice would be my choice. signature.asc Description: OpenPGP digital signature ___ CentOS mailing list CentOS@centos.org http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos
Re: [CentOS] KVM as a desktop
On 28.08.2012 15:23, James B. Byrne wrote: I am nearing the end of a project that moved our disparate services and hosts onto kvm virtualized servers. What I am now contemplating is setting up my desktop as a virtual host and using one of the guests as my primary workstation. However, I am not sure how this would work in practice. I am accustomed to working with virtual instances via ssh (a terminal window) and with my desktop system in a Gnome window manager. Is there a reference somewhere that outlines the mechanics of logging into a virtual guest's graphical desktop directly from the physical console of the kvm host system? Hi, You could use virt-manager/virt-viewer + SPICE, it shows a lot of promise and it works reasonably well, especially over low latency links, but ATM you could be better off with using NX or FreeRDP (for Windows) from within the guest. -- Sent from the Delta quadrant using Borg technology! Nux! www.nux.ro ___ CentOS mailing list CentOS@centos.org http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos
Re: [CentOS] KVM as a desktop
On 29-08-12 15:22, Johnny Hughes wrote: http://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/FreeNX Also look into spice: http://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/Spice-libvirt I do several Windows desktops with spice Yesterday I tried both spice and FreeRDP connecting to a Win7 x64 VM on an F17 laptop. FreeRDP feels much more responsive and even the Big Buck Bunny video (h.264 854x480) played smooth with video sound in sync. On F17 you will need to rebuild FreeRDP with alsa and ffmpeg support enabled. Regards, Patrick ___ CentOS mailing list CentOS@centos.org http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos
Re: [CentOS] KVM as a desktop
On 08/28/2012 04:23 PM, James B. Byrne wrote: I am nearing the end of a project that moved our disparate services and hosts onto kvm virtualized servers. What I am now contemplating is setting up my desktop as a virtual host and using one of the guests as my primary workstation. However, I am not sure how this would work in practice. I am accustomed to working with virtual instances via ssh (a terminal window) and with my desktop system in a Gnome window manager. Is there a reference somewhere that outlines the mechanics of logging into a virtual guest's graphical desktop directly from the physical console of the kvm host system? I'm not sure what your benefit is to not use your host but a VM running on it. You could consider to use XDMP. You still need a (local) X server (gdm), but then choose remote logon usign XDMCP. On the virtual machine use gdmsetup to allow remote access or use this link: http://www.centos.org/docs/5/html/5.1/Installation_Guide/s2-trouble-remotex.html ___ CentOS mailing list CentOS@centos.org http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos
Re: [CentOS] KVM as a desktop
On Wed, Aug 29, 2012 at 9:38 AM, Theo Band theo.b...@greenpeak.com wrote: On 08/28/2012 04:23 PM, James B. Byrne wrote: I am nearing the end of a project that moved our disparate services and hosts onto kvm virtualized servers. What I am now contemplating is setting up my desktop as a virtual host and using one of the guests as my primary workstation. However, I am not sure how this would work in practice. I am accustomed to working with virtual instances via ssh (a terminal window) and with my desktop system in a Gnome window manager. Is there a reference somewhere that outlines the mechanics of logging into a virtual guest's graphical desktop directly from the physical console of the kvm host system? I'm not sure what your benefit is to not use your host but a VM running on it. One nice thing is that when you update/change/switch distros, etc., you can run old/new in parallel. Another is that you can easily move the VM elsewhere if resources are available and it is mostly transparent to your use as a desktop. You could consider to use XDMP. You still need a (local) X server (gdm), but then choose remote logon usign XDMCP. On the virtual machine use gdmsetup to allow remote access or use this link: http://www.centos.org/docs/5/html/5.1/Installation_Guide/s2-trouble-remotex.html Freenx/NX does all the same things as native remote X, but with better remote performance and the ability to disconnect and reconnect (even from a different display) with everything still running. There is probably some memory overhead for the proxy/cache buffers, though. -- Les Mikesell lesmikes...@gmail.com ___ CentOS mailing list CentOS@centos.org http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos
Re: [CentOS] KVM as a desktop
On Wed, August 29, 2012 10:38, Theo Band wrote: I'm not sure what your benefit is to not use your host but a VM running on it. You could consider to use XDMP. You still need a (local) X server (gdm), but then choose remote logon usign XDMCP. On the virtual machine use gdmsetup to allow remote access or use this link: http://www.centos.org/docs/5/html/5.1/Installation_Guide/s2-trouble-remotex.html Presently I build kvm hosts with a minimal install and add whatever packages are required to get kvm working and provide my customary administrative tools. The kvm guests get the user applications. I simply want to have a similar arrangement on my personal workstation so that my experiments do not become invisibly dependent upon something I have installed for my own use. Basically, I want to simply leave the host configuration alone once kvm is running and do my mucking about in a virtual machine. -- *** E-Mail is NOT a SECURE channel *** James B. Byrnemailto:byrn...@harte-lyne.ca Harte Lyne Limited http://www.harte-lyne.ca 9 Brockley Drive vox: +1 905 561 1241 Hamilton, Ontario fax: +1 905 561 0757 Canada L8E 3C3 ___ CentOS mailing list CentOS@centos.org http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos
[CentOS] KVM as a desktop
I am nearing the end of a project that moved our disparate services and hosts onto kvm virtualized servers. What I am now contemplating is setting up my desktop as a virtual host and using one of the guests as my primary workstation. However, I am not sure how this would work in practice. I am accustomed to working with virtual instances via ssh (a terminal window) and with my desktop system in a Gnome window manager. Is there a reference somewhere that outlines the mechanics of logging into a virtual guest's graphical desktop directly from the physical console of the kvm host system? -- *** E-Mail is NOT a SECURE channel *** James B. Byrnemailto:byrn...@harte-lyne.ca Harte Lyne Limited http://www.harte-lyne.ca 9 Brockley Drive vox: +1 905 561 1241 Hamilton, Ontario fax: +1 905 561 0757 Canada L8E 3C3 ___ CentOS mailing list CentOS@centos.org http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos
Re: [CentOS] KVM as a desktop
On Tue, 2012-08-28 at 10:23 -0400, James B. Byrne wrote: I am nearing the end of a project that moved our disparate services and hosts onto kvm virtualized servers. What I am now contemplating is setting up my desktop as a virtual host and using one of the guests as my primary workstation. However, I am not sure how this would work in practice. I am accustomed to working with virtual instances via ssh (a terminal window) and with my desktop system in a Gnome window manager. Is there a reference somewhere that outlines the mechanics of logging into a virtual guest's graphical desktop directly from the physical console of the kvm host system? CentOS 6 Manuals are not yet available but the upstream docs are here: https://access.redhat.com/knowledge/docs/Red_Hat_Enterprise_Linux/ You probably want to start here: (watch for line-wrap) https://access.redhat.com/knowledge/docs/en-US/Red_Hat_Enterprise_Linux/6/html/Virtualization_Host_Configuration_and_Guest_Installation_Guide/index.html To open a graphical console on your virtual desktop from the KVM host: (you'll probably do this when you create your VM anyway) = [Applications]-[System Tools]-[Virtual Machine Manager] Authenticate dialog opens Password for root: [your_root_password] Button: [Authenticate] VM Manager window opens First connection is highlighted (default is localhost (QEMU)) Virtual machines under connection are displayed Double-click desired VM Native console of VM opens From here you can login, get info, pause, stop, start, go full-screen, etc. = KVM uses VNC to connect to the guest machines' consoles and by default will automatically assign the next available VNC port, beginning with 5900. I would highly recommend manually configuring your first guest's display (Display VNC) with VNC port 5901 and let subsequent VM's get assigned automatically. Otherwise, there will be a conflict with tigervnc-server-module if you later wish to connect remotely to the physical server (KVM host). If auto-configured the first VM will get port 5900 which the Xorg VNC module expects to be reserved for the (physical) host's console port. The port on which the Xorg module listens cannot be changed easily. ./Cal ___ CentOS mailing list CentOS@centos.org http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos
Re: [CentOS] KVM as a desktop
On Tue, Aug 28, 2012 at 9:23 AM, James B. Byrne byrn...@harte-lyne.ca wrote: I am nearing the end of a project that moved our disparate services and hosts onto kvm virtualized servers. What I am now contemplating is setting up my desktop as a virtual host and using one of the guests as my primary workstation. However, I am not sure how this would work in practice. I am accustomed to working with virtual instances via ssh (a terminal window) and with my desktop system in a Gnome window manager. Is there a reference somewhere that outlines the mechanics of logging into a virtual guest's graphical desktop directly from the physical console of the kvm host system? I like to use freenx to host the desktop and the NX client to display it. That should work regardless of whether the desktop is a VM or not and regardless of the OS or location of the display - and it wouldn't surprise me if it performs better than whatever the built-in KVM mechanism uses. Even if you normally work locally, you may find it handy to be able to pick up the display from elsewhere with everything still running and have good performance. -- Les Mikesell lesmikes...@gmail.com ___ CentOS mailing list CentOS@centos.org http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos
Re: [CentOS] KVM as a desktop
On 8/28/2012 11:12 AM, Les Mikesell wrote: I like to use freenx to host the desktop and the NX client to display it. That should work regardless of whether the desktop is a VM or not and regardless of the OS or location of the display - and it wouldn't surprise me if it performs better than whatever the built-in KVM mechanism uses. Even if you normally work locally, you may find it handy to be able to pick up the display from elsewhere with everything still running and have good performance. Seconded. I use freenx, too. For me, it provides a better experience than VNC, Radmin, RDP, PCoIP (even on a zero client device), and whatever VMware uses when you open a console in vSphere Client. That goes for speed and smoothness of display updates and even just copying and pasting text into the remote machine. -- -Chris Nothing in this message is intended to make or accept an offer or to form a contract, except that an attachment that is an image of a contract bearing the signature of an officer of our company may be or become a contract. This message (including any attachments) is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. It may contain information that is non-public, proprietary, privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law or may constitute as attorney work product. If you are not the intended recipient, we hereby notify you that any use, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by telephone and delete this message immediately. Thank you. ___ CentOS mailing list CentOS@centos.org http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos
Re: [CentOS] KVM as a desktop
On Tue, Aug 28, 2012 at 8:12 AM, Les Mikesell lesmikes...@gmail.com wrote: On Tue, Aug 28, 2012 at 9:23 AM, James B. Byrne byrn...@harte-lyne.ca wrote: I am nearing the end of a project that moved our disparate services and hosts onto kvm virtualized servers. What I am now contemplating is setting up my desktop as a virtual host and using one of the guests as my primary workstation. However, I am not sure how this would work in practice. I am accustomed to working with virtual instances via ssh (a terminal window) and with my desktop system in a Gnome window manager. Is there a reference somewhere that outlines the mechanics of logging into a virtual guest's graphical desktop directly from the physical console of the kvm host system? I like to use freenx to host the desktop and the NX client to display it. That should work regardless of whether the desktop is a VM or not and regardless of the OS or location of the display - and it wouldn't surprise me if it performs better than whatever the built-in KVM mechanism uses. Even if you normally work locally, you may find it handy to be able to pick up the display from elsewhere with everything still running and have good performance. The wiki is here: http://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/FreeNX Also look into spice: http://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/Spice-libvirt Akemi ___ CentOS mailing list CentOS@centos.org http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos
Re: [CentOS] KVM as a desktop
On Tue, August 28, 2012 11:37, Akemi Yagi wrote: Also look into spice: http://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/Spice-libvirt Actually, I posted my question after reading that very page. I did not want to start down some technically involved path if a simpler solution was already widely used. I also will take a look at FreeNX as others have suggested. Thank you all for the suggestions and references. -- *** E-Mail is NOT a SECURE channel *** James B. Byrnemailto:byrn...@harte-lyne.ca Harte Lyne Limited http://www.harte-lyne.ca 9 Brockley Drive vox: +1 905 561 1241 Hamilton, Ontario fax: +1 905 561 0757 Canada L8E 3C3 ___ CentOS mailing list CentOS@centos.org http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos
