[AG-TECH] Remote VenueVNC startup and shutdown

[Todd Zimmerman]

Not specifically what you are looking for, but we run a 'VNC Reflector' 
that is managed via a simple web front end.

The reflector connects to the server specified, then all other clients 
connect to the reflector.

It's nice because it takes the load of multiple connections off of the 
users' laptop etc.  Plus it is easier to maintain for security (all 
clients are always connecting to the same vnc server, for presenting 
sites all clients are originating from the same address) + you can set 
up a reverse connection if required.

The web interface was just a simple php script I made that could use 
some fixing and it doesn't tie in with VenueVNC and/or AG at all, but 
thought I'd throw it out there.

Todd



On 02/22/2011 06:59 PM, Jason Bell wrote:
> I actually use the “nohup” command myself – but one of the problems I am
> trying to solve is providing a facility that allows no technical users
> the ability to easily start up a VenueVNC session.
>
> One of the options suggested already includes the idea of using “zenity”
> to produce a “pop-up, which would allow users the abilitiy to paste the
> “Virtual Venue Address” and then connect and then launch the VenueVNC
> remote using a bash script.
>
> Anyway – still gather ideas and thoughts.
>
> Thanks for your reply.
>
> Many regards,
>
> Jason.
>
> *From:*Tran, Quang V. [mailto:qtran3 at lsuhsc.edu]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, 23 February 2011 12:25 PM
> *To:* Tran, Quang V.; Jason Bell; ag-tech at mcs.anl.gov
> *Subject:* RE: [AG-TECH] Remote VenueVNC startup and shutdown
>
> the actual command line should be: nohup ./venueVNC_script.sh &
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ag-tech-bounces at lists.mcs.anl.gov on behalf of Tran, Quang V.
> Sent: Tue 2/22/2011 8:16 PM
> To: Jason Bell; ag-tech at mcs.anl.gov
> Subject: Re: [AG-TECH] Remote VenueVNC startup and shutdown
>
> Caution: The following message did not originate from within LSUHSC and
> may be a scam to trick you into divulging your LSUHSC password. LSUHSC
> never asks you to reveal your password in an email or web form. Your
> network access will be deactivated if you do reveal your LSUHSC password.
>
> If you think the following email is a scam, please forward it to
> spam at lsuhsc.edu <mailto:spam at lsuhsc.edu> for further analysis.
>
> The original email follows:
> =======================================
>
>
> Have you tried the nohup command in Linux (ie: ./venueVNC_script.sh & nohup)
> It allows a service to run after you log off. I use this with my
> bridge's script.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ag-tech-bounces at lists.mcs.anl.gov on behalf of Jason Bell
> Sent: Tue 2/22/2011 5:48 PM
> To: ag-tech at mcs.anl.gov
> Subject: [AG-TECH] Remote VenueVNC startup and shutdown
>
> Caution: The following message did not originate from within LSUHSC and
> may be a scam to trick you into divulging your LSUHSC password. LSUHSC
> never asks you to reveal your password in an email or web form. Your
> network access will be deactivated if you do reveal your LSUHSC password.
>
> If you think the following email is a scam, please forward it to
> spam at lsuhsc.edu <mailto:spam at lsuhsc.edu> for further analysis.
>
> The original email follows:
> =======================================
>
>
> Colleagues
>
> I am hoping that someone out there might have a "solution" to an issue I
> have.
>
> Long story short, I have a dedicated machine outside our "network" which
> allows remote sites to easy connect to it as part of a VenueVNC session.
>
> The problem is that this machine is not easy accessible (located in a
> machine room) and cannot be moved. The problem is that I would like to
> setup a system that everyday AG operators can connect to and launch a
> VenueVNC session when required (Note: the remote machine is a Linux
> machine). Obviously there are a few options, including such example like:
>
> * Shell scripts that remotely connect (maybe via ssh) and start the
> VenueVNC service;
> - An issue to consider is that ssh connections time out and when it
> does, it kills the VenueVNC session.
>
> * A webserver that users can log into and via a website and launch
> appropriate service.
>
> * Some other remote means (has any used a terminal server to do this);
>
> - Note, I am not keen on using VNC, as it sends clear text passwords and
> I would like to make the process as simple as possible.
>
> Obviously there are a few issues, such that the service may be required
> to started in different Virtual Venues and the duration for the session
> will differ.
>
> Therefore, in an effort to save "re-inventing the wheel", has anyone
> implemented a system which would solve the problem posed above that I
> could re-use???
>
> Many thanks in advance,
> Jason.
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Jason Bell, B.I.T. (Honours)
>
> Video Collaboration Champion
> Australian Research Collaboration Service
> http://www.arcs.org.au/
>
> Senior Research Technologies Officer
> Information Technology Directorate
> CQ University Australia
>
> E-mail : j.bell at cqu.edu.au <mailto:j.bell at cqu.edu.au>
> Jason.bell at arcs.org.au <mailto:Jason.bell at arcs.org.au>
> Work : +61 7 4930 9229
> Mobile : 0409 630897
> Postal : Building 19
> Central Queensland University
> Bruce Highway
> Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, 4702
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Patience is a virtue.
>
> But if I wanted Patience,
> I would have become a Doctor.
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>


-- 
Collaboration & Visualization Specialist
UBC Okanagan ITServices - http://web.ubc.ca/okanagan/itservices/
WestGrid - http://www.westgrid.ca
Compute Canada - http://computecanada.org
Todd Zimmerman | 250.807.9979 | todd.zimmerman at ubc.ca