ssh -X (-Y) not working

[Bob McClure Jr]

On Tue, Sep 23, 2008 at 02:28:44PM -0600, Karl Pearson wrote:
> On Tue, 23 Sep 2008, Bob McClure Jr wrote:
> 
> >On Tue, Sep 23, 2008 at 01:06:37PM -0600, Karl Pearson wrote:
> >>I like remote managing my server using ssh -X or ssh -Y and then running
> >>gui apps sometimes.
> >>
> >>I've check workstation and server X11Forwarding yes and then restarted
> >>sshd so don't know where else to go.
> >>
> >>I've checked the logs and there's nothing about it. The error I get is:
> >>
> >>[root at mail root]# system-config-printer
> >>system-config-printer: could not open display
> >>This is a graphical application and requires DISPLAY to be set.
> >>
> >>or:
> >>
> >>[karlp at mail ~/]$ xterm
> >>xterm Xt error: Can't open display:
> >>xterm: DISPLAY is not set
> >>
> >>Of course, the obvious is to set $DISPLAY, which doesn't work either.
> >
> >Well, no, it needs to be set by sshd.  If you "ssh -X host.onthe.net",
> >when you get a shell prompt, you should be able to
> >
> >$ echo $DISPLAY
> >localhost:10.0
> 
> Nope, it's empty...

Figgers.

> >in the usual case.  Any problems should be evident in
> >/var/log/messages or /var/log/secure.
> 
> Logging in works, and the logs show that, but there's nothing about 
> forwarding anomalies. There is an entry about DNS lookup failed for my IP. 
> Should I set secure forwarding on?

I guess so. <shrug>  Can't say I know what that does.  I think I've
always set it.

> >Check also your ~/.Xauthority file on the distant server.  Permissions
> >should be something like mine:
> >
> >-rw------- 1 bob users 532 Sep 23 15:09 .Xauthority
> >
> >You might try deleting it, then exit, and "ssh -X" in again.  It
> >should mention something about creating it.
> 
> Deleted. And... not recreated on next ssh in... Hmmm?

Just thought I'd check.  I was suspecting that the file had somehow
acquired bogus permissions or ownership and couldn't be written to.

Oh, I don't know why I failed to suggest this before.  Turn on
verbosity with "-v", up to three times to get more details on what's
going on.  When they say "verbose", they mean _verbose_.  You'll have
to scroll up to see the whole mess.  See if any clues come of that.

> >>I've seen blogs, threads and other stuff all over the net and everything
> >>says, enable X11Forwarding. I've done this for years and have never had
> >>that not work. Using -X or -Y should even countermand that setting if it's
> >>off, right?
> >>
> >>Any ideas where to go next?
> >>
> >>---
> >>     _/  _/      _/      _/_/_/       ____________   __o
> >>    _/ _/       _/      _/    _/     ____________  _-\\<._
> >>   _/_/        _/      _/_/_/                     (_)/ (_)
> >>  _/ _/       _/      _/           ......................
> >> _/   _/ arl _/_/_/  _/ earson    KarlP at ourldsfamily.com
> >>---
> >>http://consulting.ourldsfamily.com
> >>---
> >
> >Cheers,
> >--
> >Bob McClure, Jr.
> 
> ---
>      _/  _/      _/      _/_/_/       ____________   __o
>     _/ _/       _/      _/    _/     ____________  _-\\<._
>    _/_/        _/      _/_/_/                     (_)/ (_)
>   _/ _/       _/      _/           ......................
>  _/   _/ arl _/_/_/  _/ earson    KarlP at ourldsfamily.com
> ---
> http://consulting.ourldsfamily.com
> ---

Cheers,
-- 
Bob McClure, Jr.             Bobcat Open Systems, Inc.
bob at bobcatos.com             http://www.bobcatos.com
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so
you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my
disciples, if you love one another."  John 13:34-35 (NIV)