31.2. VNC Modes in Anaconda

Anaconda offers two modes for VNC installation. The mode you select will depend on the network configuration in your environment.

31.2.1. Direct Mode

Direct mode VNC in anaconda is when the client initiates a connection to the VNC server running in anaconda. Anaconda will tell you when to initiate this connection in the VNC viewer. Direct mode can be activated by either of the following commands:

Specify vnc as a boot argument.
Specify the vnc command in the kickstart file used for installation.

When you activate VNC mode, anaconda will complete the first stage of the installer and then start VNC to run the graphical installer. The installer will display a message on the console in the following format:

Running anaconda VERSION, the PRODUCT system installer - please wait...

Anaconda will also tell you the IP address and display number to use in your VNC viewer. At this point, you need to start the VNC viewer and connect to the target system to continue the installation. The VNC viewer will present anaconda to you in graphical mode.

There are some disadvantages to direct mode, including:

Requires visual access to the system console to see the IP address and port to connect the VNC viewer to.
Requires interactive access to the system console to complete the first stage of the installer.

If either of these disadvantages would prevent you from using direct mode VNC in anaconda, then connect mode is probably more suited to your environment.