18.3. Graphical User Interface with X11 or VNC

To run anaconda with the graphical user interface, use a workstation that has either an X Window System (X11) server or VNC client installed.

You can use X11 forwarding with an SSH client or X11 directly. If the installer on your workstation fails because the X11 server does not support required X11 extensions you might have to upgrade the X11 server or use VNC.

To use VNC, disable X11 forwarding in your SSH client prior to connecting to the Linux installation system on the mainframe or specify the vnc parameter in your parameter file. Using VNC is recommended for slow or long-distance network connections. Refer to Section 28.2, “Enabling Remote Access to the Installation System”.

Table 18.1, “Parameters and SSH login types” shows how the parameters and SSH login type controls which anaconda user interface is used.

Table 18.1. Parameters and SSH login types

Parameter	SSH login	User interface
none	SSH without X11 forwarding	VNC or text
`vnc`	SSH with or without X11 forwarding	VNC
none	SSH with X11 forwarding	X11
`display=IP/hostname:display`	SSH without X11 forwarding	X11

18.3.1. Installation using X11 forwarding

You can connect a workstation to the Linux installation system on the mainframe and display the graphical installation program using SSH with X11 forwarding.

You require an SSH client that allows X11 forwarding. To open the connection, first start the X server on the workstation. Then connect to the Linux installation system. You can enable X11 forwarding in your SSH client when you connect.

For example, with OpenSSH enter the following in a terminal window on your workstation:

ssh -X [email protected]

Replace linuxvm.example.com with the hostname or IP address of the system you are installing. The -X option (the capital letter X) enables X11 forwarding.