The following outlines steps to install VNC server 5.0 in an Ubuntu-based system, and setting it up as an x11 daemon which will run regardless of whether a user is logged onto the desktop.

Download the debian package for VNC 5.0 server from http://realvnc.com/download/vnc/ and execute it using the gdebi installer.

After installation, you will not be able to use the server until you enter a valid registration key. You can do so by finding “Enter VNC License Key” in your applications menu.

After entering the license key, you will have several options how to setup the VNC server. The recommended mode is daemon mode. In order to this, you need to run the following commands:

sudo vncinitconfig -service-daemon
sudo /etc/init.d/vncserver-x11-serviced start
sudo update-rc.d vncserver-x11-serviced defaults

Initially only users root and admin will be granted login. In order to allow the workstation user to login, additional configuration is needed. In order to access this configuration, right click on the VNC icon indicator (once the service is running), and select Options. The VNC options screen will be displayed. Make sure Authentication is set to UNIX password, and click on the Configure… button.

On the Permissions for VNC Server list, click the Add User button, and enter the user name of the workstation user that will be allowed to log in. Alternatively, a group name may be entered. Set the access permissions as desired.