Docker-GUI_Container

• Description:

In this task, we will set up a GUI container on an EC2 Ubuntu instance using Docker and access it remotely via VNC. The process involves pulling and running a Docker image that provides an Ubuntu environment with an XFCE desktop environment and a VNC server. We will then access this environment using TightVNC Viewer and a web browser.

• Prerequisites:

1. AWS Account: (I use EC2 instance as OS for docker and AMI-ubuntu)

2. Security Group Settings: (Modify the security group associated with your EC2 instance to allow inbound traffic on the following ports: Port 22 (SSH), Port 5901 (VNC), Port 6901 (noVNC),Port 80 (HTTP) ).

3. Local Machine Setup: (TightVNC Viewer installed on your local machine for accessing the VNC server).
4. Putty (SSH access to the EC2 instance ).

Step-1: [Install Docker and Start Docker services]

sudo apt-get update

Install Docker commad for ubuntu:

sudo apt-get install -y docker.io

Start Docker service command:

sudo systemctl start docker 

Step-2: [Launch Container using image which support GUI]

• Note:

The "consol/ubuntu-xfce-vnc" Docker image is designed to provide a lightweight, easy-to-use VNC (Virtual Network Computing) server environment running on an Ubuntu base with the Xfce desktop environment. This image allows you to run GUI applications within a container and access them remotely via a VNC client.

sudo docker pull consol/ubuntu-xfce-vnc

Lanuch container in detached Mode and expose:

sudo docker run -d --name=pratik1 -p 5901:5901 -p 6901:6901 -e VNC_PASSWORD=pratik consol/ubuntu-xfce-vnc

here,

-d: Run the container in detached mode.

-p 5901:5901: Map port 5901 of the container to port 5901 of the host (VNC access).

-p 6901:6901: Map port 6901 of the container to port 6901 of the host (web-based VNC access).

-e environmental variables

Now check container logs and we get image build details:

sudo docker logs pratik1

• Note:

we can try to connect container from outside (browser) world.

here show error while connecting to container by HTTP (http://52.90.226.27:6901/?password=pratik) we write password then also unable to connect -

TightVNC Viewer:

TightVNC-download-link

TightVNC is a remote desktop software that allows you to see and control a remote computer's desktop. It uses the RFB (Remote FrameBuffer) protocol and is an improved version of the standard VNC (Virtual Network Computing) software.

Now using TightVNC viewer for GUI container:

Fill public Ip of EC2 and port no. -->> (52.90.226.27:5901)

While fill password also unble to connect GUI container :

• Note : (Authentication Failure)

I can manually reset the VNC password by attaching to the running container and using the "vncpasswd" command.

sudo docker exec -it pratik1 bash

Set new VNC password inside the Container cmd:

vncpasswd

After resetting the password, restart the VNC server within the container:

vncserver -kill :1
vncserver :1

Step-3: [On Browser]

Now again check on Browser with newly saved password (newpassowrd - pratik55)

public IP of EC2 : port no (http://52.90.226.27:6901/?password=pratik55)

• check GUI Container from TightVNC viewer:

fill new password

Summary

• Docker Setup on EC2 Instance:

  Install Docker on your EC2 instance.

  Pull a Docker image capable of running a GUI application with VNC support.

• Running the Docker Container:

  Start the Docker container with ports 5901 and 6901 exposed for VNC and noVNC access.

  Set a VNC password.

• Connecting via TightVNC Viewer:

  Use TightVNC Viewer on your local machine to connect to the VNC server running in the Docker container on the EC2 instance.