VNC Server on Nokia N810

I got an Nokia N810 Internet Tablet a few days ago. And as most of you should know the OS of N810 is based on Linux Platform - Maemo, with a touch screen. So that means you can install a lot of Linux apps on this Internet tablet.

Here is one interesting application that you might also like:

VNC Server for Nokia N810!



I found this application - x11vnc from google. Basically it's not only for N810, allows one to view remotely and interact with real X displays (i.e. a display corresponding to a physical monitor, keyboard, and mouse) with any VNC viewer. In this way it plays the role for Unix/X11 that WinVNC plays for Windows. X11vnc allow you to use another computer to control your Internet Tablet. Keyboard and mouse (or stylus) input, and screen output, are delivered over a network connection.

You can find more details from http://www.karlrunge.com/x11vnc/.

Here is the instruction how to install x11vnc on N810:

1. Download the x11vnc package. For OS2008 (N800 and N810) the package is x11vnc_0.9.3-1_armel.deb . Save the file to memory card.


2. Then using Application Installer in Control panel install the package by choosing Application -> install from file from the menu. Select the file which you downloaded from the right path.


3. Once the installation is done. Then you can start to using it. You can find x11vnc from Menu -> Extras . By the way, There is no dialog and selecting the menu item again will shut down the VNC server. (I know this isn't ideal).


4. To connect to your Internet Tablet you will need to know its IP address. To find this open the Connection manager from Settings and select Internet connection -> IP address from the menu.


5. Now you can connect N810 Internet Table from your PC via any VNC viewer. By default, it doesn't request any password to remote access in.

Here is the result that you can see it from your PC:



Problems:

1. Although x11nvc opens the default network connection automatically, it may be necessary to start a network client application, e.g. the browser, to gain a full network connection. Once you have a connection close the browser and everything should be fine.


2. Here is another big problem, users compliant that The 810 seems to be married to the built-in keyboard, and there doesn't seem to be a way to emulate that keyboard on a remote machine.
   
   And here is the solution which I found from the forum for that:
   
   Until you use x11vnc -xkb which translates the computer keyboard normally (digit keys).
   
   Here is web page that shows many options how to use X11vnx:
   http://www.karlrunge.com/x11vnc/x11vnc_opts.html
   
   Here is a sample shell script:
   
   #!/bin/sh
   x11vnc -http -xkb -ultrafilexfer -forever -passwd [mypassword]
   
   which allows browser access on default port 5800 (beside VNC viewer port 5900), extended keyboard (pressing numbers on the computer keyboard result in numbers rather than letters), file transfer enabled when using UltraVNC (a similar option exists for TightVNC), remains in memory (x11vnc does not unload when you terminate the session) and a password.
   
   This is just an example.
   
   The only keys for which have no translation are the buttons on the edge on the n810 (zoom, full screen keys).

Have Fun!