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Desktop Mode

Introduction

Version 1.0 adds support for "desktop mode", which is the ability to run a full desktop session in a window instead of having each individual window forwarded separately. This feature requires X11 server support is not available on Mac OSX servers.

This behaviour is similar to VNC, but with the added benefits of the xpra protocol: sound, printer forwarding, etc. (see wiki/Features)

You can also connect using VNC clients, see wiki/RFB.

Usage

To start a desktop session simply run:

xpra start-desktop --start=xterm

Then connect as usual from the client.

Alternatively, you can start a session and connect in one command from the client using the ssh syntax:

xpra start-desktop --start=xterm ssh:HOST

Window Manager or Desktop Environment

In order to run a window manager or even a full desktop environment within this desktop session, simply replace the "xterm" example above with the command that starts the WM or DE of your choice, ie for "fluxbox":

xpra start-desktop --start=fluxbox

Desktop Size

By default the desktop size will start using a screen resolution of 1920x1080, this virtual screen can be resized at any point using regular X11 tools (ie: "xrandr").

To change the initial desktop size, add a start command:

xpra start-desktop --start="xrandr -s 1024x768" --start=fluxbox

Starting with xpra server version 2.1, the remote desktop can be resized simply by resizing the window. (#1557)

(the randr extension may not work on some Ubuntu releases, see wiki/Xdummy for details)