ssh -X

MuGeN · 6 Jan 2010 at 23:18

Am I right in thinking that by adding -X to an ssh connection command I can run GUI apps from the server but see them on my client?

Sounds a bit too good to be true... Plus I tried it (just tried to run chess but nothing happened) - have I got my wires crossed as to the capabilities of ssh for this purpose? Could anybody shed some light?

tolien · 6 Jan 2010 at 23:23

It depends what you're running on the server and client. The -X flag does X forwarding.

BigglesPiP · 7 Jan 2010 at 02:49

If you have an X server on both machines, then yes.

I have even done X forwarding to run an application on a linux machine on a Windows machine which has cygwin:

(excuse the odd screenshot)

MuGeN · 7 Jan 2010 at 09:33

hmm... I'm using macs and all i know is that when i use the -X switch the X11 application starts up, which would mean everything i need is installed?

in that case, how do i run the actual apps? i have navigated to the Applications folder and typed the app name but is just says (for example):

Mugens-iMac:Applications mugen$ Chess.app
-bash: Chess.app: command not found

using "open" in front of it also doesn't work...

Any ideas?

daven1986 · 7 Jan 2010 at 09:55

I think you need to change a setting on (both?) client and server to allow x forwarding.

FirebarUK · 7 Jan 2010 at 10:58

"xhost +" on the server if it needs it. This controls who can make connections to the X server, however you shouldn't need to do this on modern distros (not sure whether they already have something in .Xauthority that permits by default everyone).

FirebarUK · 7 Jan 2010 at 13:08

Ah, now you've said your using Mac's. The xhost command will apply but apps aren't X applications afaik. So you will be best using VNC I'm afraid.