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Installation of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for Linux

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This tutorial will guide you through the process of installing a graphical user interface (GUI) on your Linux server. A GUI provides a visual interface for interacting with your server, making it easier to manage files, install software, and perform other tasks.

Prerequisites

  • A Linux server with SSH access
  • A root or sudo user account

Installing a GUI on Ubuntu

Ubuntu 16.04/18.04

  1. Connect to your server as root via SSH.

  2. Create a new user for your GUI login and set a password:

useradd -m NewUserName && passwd NewUserName
  1. Install the Ubuntu-Desktop GUI:
apt update && apt upgrade -y && apt install ubuntu-desktop -y && init 6

Alternatively, install the Kubuntu-Desktop GUI:

apt update && apt upgrade -y && apt install kubuntu-desktop -y && init 6

Ubuntu 18.10 and later versions

  1. Connect to your server as root via SSH.

  2. Create a new user for your GUI login and set a password:

useradd -m NewUserName && passwd NewUserName
  1. Choose from a variety of GUIs using the “tasksel” tool:
apt update && apt upgrade -y && tasksel

  1. Select the desired GUI and confirm the installation.

  2. Reboot your server to make your GUI accessible via your VPS VNC access or KVM in case of a dedicated server.

Installing a GUI on CentOS

CentOS 6

  1. Connect to your server as root via SSH.

  2. Create a new user for your GUI login and set a password:

useradd -m NewUserName && passwd NewUserName
  1. Edit the “/etc/inittab” file to boot to runlevel 5:
nano /etc/inittab
  1. Change the following line:
id:3:initdefault: -> id:5:initdefault:

  1. Save your changes and close the editor by pressing Ctrl+O, Enter, Ctrl+X.

  2. Install the GNOME GUI and required software:

yum update -y && yum -y groupinstall "Desktop" "X Window System" "Fonts" && init 6

Alternatively, install the KDE GUI:

yum update -y && yum -y groupinstall "KDE desktop" "X Window System" "Fonts" && init 6

CentOS 7

  1. Connect to your server as root via SSH.

  2. Create a new user for your GUI login and set a password:

useradd -m NewUserName && passwd NewUserName
  1. Install the KDE GUI: 
    yum update -y && yum -y groupinstall "KDE Plasma Workspaces" && ln -sf /lib/systemd/system/runlevel5.target /etc/systemd/system/default.target && init 6

Alternatively, install the GNOME GUI:

yum update -y && yum -y groupinstall "GNOME Desktop" "Graphical Administration Tools" && ln -sf /lib/systemd/system/runlevel5.target /etc/systemd/system/default.target && init 6

Installing a GUI on Debian

Debian 8 and later versions

  1. Connect to your server as root via SSH.

  2. Create a new user for your GUI login and set a password:

useradd -m NewUserName && passwd NewUserName
  1. Install the GNOME GUI:
apt update && apt upgrade -y && apt install gnome -y && init 6

Alternatively, install the KDE GUI:

apt update && apt upgrade -y && apt install kde-standard -y && init 6

Additional Notes

  • You can connect to your GUI via VNC or KVM in case of a dedicated server.

  • If you are using a firewall, you will need to open the appropriate ports for VNC or KVM access.

  • For added security, it is recommended to use a strong password for your GUI login.

Conclusion

By following the instructions in this tutorial, you can easily install a graphical user interface on your Server Gigabit’s Linux server. This will make it easier to manage your server and perform a wider range of tasks.

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