In some cases, it might be necessary to have a graphical user interface on a Linux server.
Various tools exist to achieve this, but most of us are already using PuTTY, so this guide will use PuTTY as a stating point.
Install XWindows Server Xming http://www.straightrunning.com/XmingNotes/ and run XLaunch to configure Xming using default options. When the configuration is completed, Xming will start. For any subsequent uses, you just start Xming.
Configure PuTTY session to use X forwarding:
Start PuTTY session and check environment variable DISPLAY is set and a xterminal can be started:
[xxx@xxxx]$ echo $DISPLAY localhost:10.0
[xxx@xxxx]]$ xterm &
When switching to another user, it is required to authorize xsession for the other user. In order to facilitate this, first get x-authorization information for own user:
[xxx@xxxx]]$ xauth list
XXXXXXXX/unix:10 MIT-MAGIC-COOKIE-1 87a6d247f9d40f1a8a8ec2cc11a52643
Next switch to another user if someone wants to install software or launch anything using specific user then add x-authorization and check an xterminal can be started:
Like in my case I have oracle user who has complete rights and he is in correct group.
[xxx@xxxx] ~]$ sudo -u oracle -i
[xxx@xxxx] ~]$ xauth add XXXXXXXX/unix:10 MIT-MAGIC-COOKIE-1 87a6d247f9d40f1a8a8ec2cc11a52643
[xxx@xxxx]s ~]$ xterm &
