Setting Up X11 Forwarding (Mac/Linux)

Setting up X11 forwarding on Mac and Linux are very similar. However, setting it up on Mac requires an extra step.

Mac – Installing an X Server

Installing an X Server

On Mac, the installation of an X server requires the use of an external application. We recommend installing and running XQuartz.

Troubleshooting XQuartz

If you are having a problem getting X11 forwarding working on a Mac, you may need to edit your /private/etc/ssh/sshd_config file and add the following line:

X11Forwarding yes

Connecting to Monsoon with X11 Forwarding

To connect to Monsoon with X11 forwarding, open a terminal and enter the following command:

ssh -Y [UID]@monsoon.hpc.nau.edu

Note: If you are a classroom Monsoon user, you MUST replace monsoon with rain.

From here, it will appear to be a regular SSH session because we haven’t started any graphical applications yet. The simplest way to test if the connection worked is by running the xeyes application:

xeyes

If the xeyes program was able to successfully launch, then you are done setting up X11 forwarding.