Ubuntu

multiple X servers?

Asked by Bogdan Butnaru on 2007-03-06

Is it possible to start several X servers on a single machine, with a single physical display, and switch between them with Ctrl+Alt+F# as you can switch between virtual consoles?

I know workspaces are similar to this, but with "virtual X servers" I could have different users logged in at the same time, and even on different machines. I could switch between the virtual screens with just a key-press, instead of going the whole switch-user>pick session>enter password thing.

Now I have VT1-6 as text consoles, and VT7 an X display. I'd like to have, say vt1-5 consoles and vt6 & 7 (or more) in graphic mode. I could login on vt7 locally, on vt6 to a remote machine, and switch between the displays with just ctrl+alt+f6/7.

Currently I could set-up two workspaces and use ssh to bring a couple of remote windows on one of them, but I won't have the benefits of a remote session, like a panel that starts programs on the right machine and nautilus drawing the remote desktop.

Question information

Language:: English Edit question

Status:: Solved

For:: Ubuntu Edit question

Assignee:: No assignee Edit question

Solved by:: Jeff Greene

Solved:: 2007-03-07

Last query:: 2007-03-07

Last reply:: 2007-03-07

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Jeff Greene (jeffgreene) said on 2007-03-06:

In short -- yes this is definitely possible. I will look for a tutorial for you on how to set it up. I know for starters you can type:
xinit -- :2

This will start X11 on "display 2" (you can have multiple displays on one monitor and just toggle through them).
I think I remember someone saying it is a very bad idea to try logging into the same account twice in gdm though, so I would advise against that. Just make sure that each display has its own user logged in.