Adding GUI to Ubuntu Server 20.04: The Ultimate Guide

👋 Greetings, Ubuntu server enthusiasts! Get ready to elevate your experience with this comprehensive guide on adding GUI to your Ubuntu server 20.04.

Ubuntu Server 20.04 is undoubtedly a powerful operating system that provides a stable and secure platform for running various server applications. However, many users prefer to work with Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs), making it more user-friendly and easier to manage. In this article, we’ll be discussing how to add GUI to Ubuntu Server 20.04, its advantages and disadvantages, FAQs, and much more.

🔍 Let’s dive into everything you need to know about adding GUI to Ubuntu Server 20.04

1. Introduction

Ubuntu Server 20.04 is an open-source operating system that provides a stable and secure server platform. However, many users find it challenging to work with the command line interface and prefer GUIs. Fortunately, it’s possible to add a GUI to Ubuntu Server 20.04, and we’ll show you how in this guide.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to install a GUI on Ubuntu Server 20.04. We’ll also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of adding GUI to a server, as well as some frequently asked questions.

So, if you’re ready to install a GUI on your Ubuntu Server 20.04, let’s get started!

2. Adding GUI to Ubuntu Server 20.04: Step-By-Step Guide

Step 1: Update the Server

The first step in adding a GUI to Ubuntu Server 20.04 is to ensure that your server is up-to-date. To do this, open the terminal and run the following command:

Command	Description
sudo apt update	Updates package lists and dependencies.
sudo apt upgrade	Upgrades the system packages to the latest version.

Step 2: Install the Desktop Environment

Now that your server is up-to-date, the next step is to install the desktop environment. There are several desktop environments available for Ubuntu Server 20.04, including Unity, GNOME, and Xfce.

For this guide, we’ll be installing the GNOME desktop environment. To install GNOME, run the following command:

Command	Description
sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop	Installs the GNOME desktop environment and all its dependencies

Step 3: Install a VNC Server

Once the desktop environment is installed, you need to install a VNC server to access the GUI remotely. For this tutorial, we’ll be using the TigerVNC server. To install TigerVNC, run the following command:

Command	Description
sudo apt install tigervnc-standalone-server	Installs the TigerVNC server and all its dependencies

Step 4: Configure the VNC Server

Now that the VNC server is installed, you need to configure it to access the desktop environment remotely. To do this, create a new VNC configuration file:

Command	Description
sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/vncserver@.service	Creates a new VNC configuration file

Copy and paste the following code into the file:

[Unit]Description=Remote desktop service (VNC)
After=syslog.target network.target
[Service]Type=forking
User=%i
ExecStartPre=/bin/sh -c ‘/usr/bin/vncserver -kill :%i > /dev/null 2>&1 || :’
ExecStart=/usr/bin/vncserver -depth 24 -geometry 1280×800 :%i
ExecStop=/usr/bin/vncserver -kill :%i
[Install]WantedBy=multi-user.target

Save and close the file by pressing Ctrl+X, then Y, and finally Enter.

Next, set the user and password for the VNC server:

Command	Description
vncpasswd	Sets the VNC server’s password for remote access

Finally, start the VNC server:

Command	Description
sudo systemctl daemon-reload	Reloads the systemctl daemon
sudo systemctl start vncserver@:1.service	Starts the VNC server on port 5901
sudo systemctl enable vncserver@:1.service	Enables the VNC server on boot

Step 5: Connect to the Server’s GUI with VNC Viewer

With the VNC server running, you can now connect to the server’s GUI remotely using a VNC viewer. On your local machine, download and install a VNC viewer like RealVNC, TightVNC, or TigerVNC Viewer.

Open your VNC viewer and enter your server’s IP address followed by :1 (the port number on which the VNC server is running) into the address bar. For example:

192.168.1.10:1

Enter the password you set for the VNC server, and you should see the Ubuntu Server 20.04 desktop environment.

3. Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages of Adding GUI to Ubuntu Server 20.04

Here are some of the benefits of adding a GUI to your Ubuntu Server 20.04:

1. Easy to Use

A GUI makes it easier for users to interact with the server, especially for those who are not familiar with the command-line interface.

2. Improved Productivity

A GUI can improve productivity by providing a familiar interface and easy access to various tools and applications.

3. Better Management

A GUI can simplify management tasks, making it easier to monitor and manage the server and its applications.

Disadvantages of Adding GUI to Ubuntu Server 20.04

Despite the benefits of adding a GUI to your Ubuntu Server 20.04, there are also some disadvantages to consider:

1. Resource Intensive

A GUI consumes more resources than a command-line interface, which can affect the server’s performance.

2. Security Risks

A GUI can introduce new security risks due to the additional applications and services running on the server.

3. Additional Maintenance

A GUI requires additional maintenance, including updates and patches, which can be time-consuming.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is a desktop environment?

A desktop environment is a collection of applications and components that provide a graphical user interface (GUI) for an operating system.

Q2. Can I install a different desktop environment?

Yes, there are several desktop environments available for Ubuntu Server 20.04, including Unity, GNOME, Xfce, and more. However, different desktop environments require different installation and configuration steps.

Q3. Can I access the GUI remotely?

Yes. After installing the VNC server, you can access the server’s GUI remotely using a VNC viewer.

Q4. Can I use SSH to manage a server with a GUI?

Yes, you can use SSH to manage a server with a GUI. However, this requires additional configuration on the server, including enabling X11 forwarding.

Q5. How do I uninstall a desktop environment?

To uninstall a desktop environment, use the following command: sudo apt-get remove ubuntu-desktop

Q6. Can I install multiple desktop environments?

Yes, it’s possible to install multiple desktop environments on Ubuntu Server 20.04. However, this can consume more resources and affect the server’s performance.

Q7. Can I switch between desktop environments?

Yes, it’s possible to switch between desktop environments on Ubuntu Server 20.04. However, this requires logging out of the current desktop environment and logging into the new desktop environment.

Q8. What is the default desktop environment for Ubuntu Server 20.04?

The default desktop environment for Ubuntu Server 20.04 is the command-line interface.

Q9. Can I customize the GUI?

Yes, you can customize the GUI by installing themes, icons, and extensions.

Q10. Will adding a GUI affect the server’s performance?

Yes, adding a GUI can affect the server’s performance by consuming more resources.

Q11. Do I need a GPU to use a GUI?

No, you don’t need a GPU to use a GUI on Ubuntu Server 20.04. However, a GPU may improve the GUI’s performance and visual quality.

Q12. Can I use a different VNC server?

Yes, you can use a different VNC server, such as the open-source RealVNC server or the TightVNC server.

Q13. Is it safe to run a VNC server?

Running a VNC server can introduce security risks, such as password guessing and man-in-the-middle attacks. To minimize these risks, use strong passwords and encryption.

5. Conclusion

Adding a GUI to Ubuntu Server 20.04 can make the server more user-friendly and easier to manage. However, it can also consume more resources and introduce new security risks.

In this guide, we’ve shown you how to add a GUI to Ubuntu Server 20.04 using the GNOME desktop environment and the TigerVNC server. We’ve also discussed the advantages and disadvantages of adding a GUI and provided some frequently asked questions.

Now that you know how to add a GUI to Ubuntu Server 20.04, it’s up to you to decide whether it’s worth it. Whether you choose to add a GUI or stick with the command-line interface, Ubuntu Server 20.04 provides a powerful and secure platform for running various server applications.

6. Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. The author and the publisher shall not be held liable for any damages arising from the use of this article.

Before making any changes to your server, ensure that you have a backup and that you understand the potential risks involved.

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