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I connect to a Debian server using ssh -i mykey.pem username@ip. I want to install and run, for example, a browser with a GUI and see the window from my local client, how could I do it? Elinks works, but it's kind of tough to use for navigating the web.

Before flagging this question as duplicate, I have to say that I already tried the instruction in How do I work with GUI tools over a remote server?.

I also tried login with ssh -X -i ... and ssh -Y -i ... .

X11Forwarding yes is enabled in /etc/ssh/sshd_config (on the remote server). ForwardX11 yes is set in ~/.ssh/config (local client)

echo $DISPLAY output: (after login, none)

export DISPLAY=<myip>:0.0

echo $DISPLAY output: <myip>:0.0 (after the comment above).

When trying to run xfe I get: FXApp::openDisplay: unable to open display <myip>:0.0

What's wrong? What could I try? Do I have to open any port on my local machine?

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S. Saavedra
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    Before exporting DISPLAY, you should ensure it is set: what is the result of `echo $DISPLAY` ? If it contains `localhost`, you should let it unchanged. Most of the time, activating `X11Forwarding` in config and `ssh -X ...` should be sufficient. – apaul Apr 10 '15 at 12:52
  • @updated question. – S. Saavedra Apr 10 '15 at 12:54
  • Thanks, but I meant BEFORE you type `export DISPLAY=...` :) Just log on your server using `ssh -X` then type `echo $DISPLAY` just after you logged in. – apaul Apr 10 '15 at 12:57
  • @apaul: done, output is none. – S. Saavedra Apr 10 '15 at 17:33
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    So I guess the server is not started in init level 5, thus isn't able to run X applications. If you manage this server, you can run `init 5` or modify `/etc/inittab` and restart the server. Else, ask the server admin to set the start init level to level 5. – apaul Apr 10 '15 at 18:26

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If you are manually setting DISPLAY, you probably need to issue 

 xhost +

on your local machine first. (I know, everyone will flame on about poor security etc, you could refine it a bit, but for testing, this is the most expeditious way to go).

That said, ssh -X should "just work"

tad
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