How to Use X Client
    Main Page
    Lab Hardware
    Lab Software
 

In the instructions below, substitute your UW Net ID wherever you see "uwnetid".

Last updated: 26 Mar 2003

X Window System

The X Window System is a windowing system for Unix developed by MIT. One of its features is the ability to display the graphics screen from a remote system and control it locally by transmitting keyboard and mouse activity to the remote system.

Regardless of whether or not X is used locally or remotely, a window manager is needed to keep track of the windows and input activity. A simple universal one is called "twm". On Linux, common modern window managers are gnome ("gnome-session") and kde. On SunOS, one can use the Common Desktop Environment window manager ("dtwm").

To connect to a remote computer, an "X client" connects to its "X server". For security, the X connection is tunneled over an encrypted (via ssh) connection.

How to Get X

  • In the labs

    Most of the development and research lab computers have X Client software. Windows system have Cygwin/XFree86, while Linux systems have a version of XFree86. Just double-click on the "X Client" icon.

  • At home or in your office

    You can download and install the Cygwin/XFree86 environment on many versions of the Windows operating system. See these instructions for how to install Cygwin/XFree86.

    You may use any other X client for Windows -- any one should be compatible, though you must always use ssh to connect (see below).

How to Connect to Servers

See these instructions on how to connect.

Change Log

26 Mar 2003 Original document, with links to documentation by David Wyman



Hours  |  Support Information  |  News  | 
Policies  |  Emergencies