Connecting to a Xen guest console via VNC

The following page outlines the process to create an SSH tunnel on Linux/UNIX and Microsoft Windows. The examples provided below are specifically for VNC access to a Xen guest via SSH tunnel; however, the process can be applied to any port.

Linux/UNIX

  1. Open a terminal on your local machine and run the following command: 
    ssh -L PORT:localhost:PORT HOSTNAME
    Replace:

    • PORT with the VNC port number provided when the Xen guest was created.

    • HOSTNAME with the address of the Xen host to connect to.

  2. Open your VNC client of choice, and connect to localhost on the port specified above. For example: 

    vncviewer localhost::PORT

Windows

Note: A prerequisite for the following process is PuTTY

  1. Run PuTTY: 
    Start > Programs > Putty > Putty.exe
  2. In the PuTTY window under 'Basic options':
    1. Under 'protocol' select SSH.
    2. Under 'hostname' enter the address of the Xen server to connect to.
  3. In the left panel select SSH/Tunnels.
  4. In 'Add new forwarded port':
    1. Under 'Source port' enter the port for tunnelling.
    2. Under 'Destination' enter 'localhost:PORT'.
  5. Click 'Add', then 'Open'.

  6. Open your VNC client of choice, and connect to localhost on the port specified above.

The SSH Tunnel will be terminated when PuTTY is closed.