Running graphical software over SSH

Summary

This article discusses how to run graphical software over SSH.

Environment

X server

Directions

Sometimes, you may need to connect to a machine remotely and run some software that launches a window with a graphical user interface (GUI). SSH can forward GUI windows to machines remotely using the X Window system (also known as X11). To allow X forwarding to your machine from Linux or macOS, you need to execute the SSH command using the -Y option, as in ssh -Y username@hostname. Refer to the ssh(1) manual page for the gory details.

 Note: If you are off-campus (or, in some cases, using Wi-Fi on campus), you will need to connect to the University VPN before you will be able to successfully use SSH.

For this to work, your client machine must be running an X server:

• Linux — Linux does this natively.

• macOS — Macs require having XQuartz installed.
  • To use the macOS clipboard (i.e. paste copied text into the XQuartz window), use the middle mouse button.
  • If you don't have a middle mouse button, you can modify your ~/.Xdefaults file as shown here.

• Windows — A variety of X servers are available for Windows, only a couple of which are free. The easiest way to get a Windows X server and an SSH client in one bundle is to install MobaXterm.