Background

Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a technology that allows us to run software within a “desktop” that is not tied to a particular display; a VNC desktop can be accessed from various sites at the same time by multiple users. WMKO has used VNC to enable remote usage of Keck instruments for many years and is now switching to using VNC routinely for all observing and instrument operations. We see several benefits to this approach:

Observers will follow the same startup procedure for instrument software regardless of whether remote colleagues will be joining or not.
Observing sessions are protected against the failure of the computers in remote ops. When instrument software runs under VNC it can be accessed by the OA or from elsewhere to continue observing even when headquarters machines go down.
Observing Assistants at the summit can monitor instrument operations to better assist observing teams with their questions and problems.
Support Astronomers can provide better troubleshooting support from home by being able to see the same windows the observers are using.
Mainland observing teams interested in “time-domain” astronomy can gain access to instruments on short notice since VNC sessions are always available.

Starting VNC Desktops at Waimea HQ

Start Primary VNC Desktops

Log into the primary machine (haleiwa in Remote Ops I or hanauma in Remote Ops II) using your assigned observing account.
When you log in, the kvncgui will appear on your left-hand screen. Enter the VNC password in the password entry field and click on Launch Viewers to start the VNC viewers that you will use for running the instrument software.
Depending on which instrument you are using, you will get various VNC desktops appearing on your screens.

Start Secondary VNC Desktops

Log into the secondary machine (onomea in Remote Ops I or kealoha in Remote Ops II) using your assigned observing account.
When you log in, the kvncgui will appear on your left-hand screen. Enter the VNC password in the password entry field and click on Launch Viewers to start the VNC viewers that you will use for running the instrument software.
Depending on which instrument you are using, you will get various VNC desktops appearing on your screens.

Starting VNC Desktops at Remote Sites

The procedure for launching VNC desktops from remote sites varies from site to site, but generally follows this procedure:

Log in to primary and (if applicable) secondary machines using account and password provided by the site manager.
If necessary, follow authentication procedure for access through Keck firewall.
Execute the appropriate script to bring up VNC desktops:
- For sites with a single 4-head machine run script kvncall.
- For sites with separate primary and secondary machines, run script kvncinst on the primary machine and kvnctel on the secondary machine.

Types of Desktops

VNC desktops come in two flavors, signifying their function:

The tan desktops support “pseudocolor” (8-bit) graphics only. Please avoid running color-intensive software such as web browsers, IRAF, IDL, etc., in the tan desktops, because such applications will exhaust the available colors.
The blue desktops support “truecolor” (24-bit) graphics only and can be used to run color-intensive software such as web browsers, IRAF, IDL, etc. Many of our older applications such as FACSUM, XMET, FIGDISP, etc., will not run at all in a 24-bit desktop.

Switching Desktops

Sometimes two VNC desktops will be displayed on the same screen but in different parts of the local virtual desktop. Generally, the tan desktop will occupy the upper right quadrant and the blue desktop will be in the lower right. To switch bewteen desktops, press the Front key to reveal the local virtual desktop and click in the desired quadrant to change windows.

Closing Desktops

Simply click the X at the top right of the VNC desktop to close the viewer. Please note that the VNC server persists, allowing yo to reconnect to it later.