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Tyler McAdams · Sep 10, 2003, 03:24 PM

I just downloaded a vnc clinet that uses ssh to encrypt a secured connection between a clinet computer (in this case my XP pro box) and a computer that hosts a ssh server (in this case my OS X workstation). I get the following error when I try to connect: SSHvnc failed to open a fowarding channel to localhost:1

Anybody got any ideas? thx

JasonPro · Sep 10, 2003, 03:55 PM

I don't know about your specific sshvnc client but it sounds like one of four things is happening.

First, you could be mixing up the screen number from the port number. Since the error said that it current forward localhost:1, it sounds like it was trying to forward port 1 instead of the corresponding port for screen 1 which is 5901. So try changing the port to reflect the screen you want to connect to (screen 0 = port 5900, screen 1 = port 5901, etc).

Second, sshvnc could be connecting to the wrong screen. A vnc server configured with the default settings usually defaults to screen 0 which is on port 5900. Try changing the screen setting in sshvnc to 0.

Third, you could have ssh port forwarding turned off. Check the /etc/sshd_config file. Also, this is a obvious thing, but make sure that sshd (Remote Login) is on in the sharing system pref.

Fourth, your vnc server is not running on your mac. Ssh doesn't provide vnc services natively. You still have to run the vnc server on your machine in addition to the ssh server. Make sure you restrict the vnc server to only accept connecitons from localhost so that all connections will have to be autheticated and encrypted through ssh.

--
Jason

Tyler McAdams · Sep 10, 2003, 04:16 PM

Originally posted by JasonPro:
I don't know about your specific sshvnc client but it sounds like one of four things is happening.

First, you could be mixing up the screen number from the port number. Since the error said that it current forward localhost:1, it sounds like it was trying to forward port 1 instead of the corresponding port for screen 1 which is 5901. So try changing the port to reflect the screen you want to connect to (screen 0 = port 5900, screen 1 = port 5901, etc).

Second, sshvnc could be connecting to the wrong screen. A vnc server configured with the default settings usually defaults to screen 0 which is on port 5900. Try changing the screen setting in sshvnc to 0.

Third, you could have ssh port forwarding turned off. Check the /etc/sshd_config file. Also, this is a obvious thing, but make sure that sshd (Remote Login) is on in the sharing system pref.

Fourth, your vnc server is not running on your mac. Ssh doesn't provide vnc services natively. You still have to run the vnc server on your machine in addition to the ssh server. Make sure you restrict the vnc server to only accept connecitons from localhost so that all connections will have to be autheticated and encrypted through ssh.

--
Jason

ah thanks... looks like it was the screen... changed it to 1 and it's all good!

I like this app! encryption and gui = good!

Mithras · Sep 10, 2003, 06:19 PM

Are you using the MindVNC java applet?

If so, yeah, that's a great applet.
Last I tried it didn't work on OS X browsers, though... have you tried it that way recently?

If not... what are you using? A Windows app?

Tyler McAdams · Sep 10, 2003, 10:01 PM

Originally posted by Mithras:
Are you using the MindVNC java applet?

If so, yeah, that's a great applet.
Last I tried it didn't work on OS X browsers, though... have you tried it that way recently?

If not... what are you using? A Windows app?

www.3sp.com

I've never really tried the browser plugin... but that is a really cool idea.... It does get me a little concerned of just how secure the connection is since it's a plugin working in a browser window.