Accessing the X server over the network

Support knowledgebase (mfrueh_remotexdm)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: Version 6.4
This article refers to an older version of SuSE Linux. Therefore some of the informations given in this article may be outdated or the article may contain stale links.

Symptom:

Since SuSE version 6.4 (in part also since 6.3) it isn't possible anymore to connect to xdm or kdm over the network.

Cause:

For improved security, remote access has been disabled by default.

Solution:

To reenable remote access again, insert a line containing a single * before line with the comment "#no host can get a login window" in the file /var/X11R6/lib/xdm/Xaccess. As an alternative, only enter the names of those machines for which access should be enabled.

Beginning with SuSE Linux 6.4, you also have to edit the file /var/X11R6/lib/xdm/xdm-config:

! SECURITY: do not listen for XDMCP or Chooser requests
! Comment out this line if you want to manage X terminals with xdm
  DisplayManager.requestPort:  0

Please add a comment sign (the exclamation mark) in front of the last line. This allows logging in from remote machines.

The line should then look like this:
! DisplayManager.requestPort:  0

Keywords: X, EXCEED, ACCESS, XDM, KDM, REMOTE, NETWORK, XSERVER, 6.4

SDB-mfrueh_remotexdm, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 05. Okt 2000
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 05. Okt 2000 by pthomas (sdb_gen 1.40.0)