Technology Insights

VNC Fatal server error: could not open default font ‘fixed’

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I needed to use some GUI tools recently for testing hard drives in a large RAID group on a CentOS Linux server that I only have remote access to so I decided to install VNC temporarily. The server has never had a GUI installed so I first installed the Gnome Desktop Environment, then installed VNC, configured VNC, and last attempted to start VNC but I received an error. The error was complaining of the default fonts not being in the proper location however the error output was excellent and allowed me to create a quick symlink to resolve the issue. Below I describe the error in more detail followed by the one command resolution.

Information Security

Configure Linux To Accept Remote Desktop Connections Over SSH

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Recently I needed to configure a solution for remote desktop on a Linux server. I decided to give XRDP a shot which uses TigerVNC Server by forwarding the standard RDP port of 3389 to a port VNC is listening on. The end result is to set up a SSH tunnel that forwards local port 3389 over SSH to XDRP which is listening only on the remote localhost on port 3389 as well. Use the information below to set this up on CentOS Linux though the instructions will be similar for other Linux distros as well.

Technology Insights

Connect iPhone Using PPTP to Office Cisco RV016 VPN

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Connecting your iPhone to the office VPN is easy to configure and will allow you to be productive outside the office with ease. Using the PPTP VPN service on your iPhone will allow you to perform tasks as if you were sitting at your desk in the office. In the below scenario we explain configuring a PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) VPN connection from your iPhone to a Cisco RV016 that is already configured to accept PPTP connections located in your office. The VPN (Virtual Private Network) configuration allows you to enable and disable the connection with ease as you will want it disabled if you are not using the connection to sa ve on bandwidth.

Technology Insights

Linux, Windows System Administration From An iPod Touch

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Its fairly easy to get away from your computer these days without really having to worry about a server you are supposed to monitor dropping and being stuck in traffic trying to get back to the house to resolve the issue. Now you can do all of your initial troubleshooting on the way home and most of the time resolve the issue without even having to start towards your house or office!

The iPod Touch 2nd Generation is absolutely amazing and getting better by the day with all of the new applications that coontinue to be released. Below I will list and explain briefly various applications that can be purchased or obtained for free through iTunes.

iPod Touch - Systems Administrator Setup

10 Best iPod Touch Applications for IT Consultants and System Administrators: