X on a Server?

[Robert Brockway]

On Mon, 21 Dec 2009, john.moniz-rieW9WUcm8FFJ04o6PK0Fg at public.gmane.org wrote:

>
> I need to re-do my file and mail server for the house. I intend to 
> install Debian, as was on my old server that suffered a hardware death.
>
> Is there any need to install X on a server? Perhaps for some 
> configuration tools? My old server didn't have it, but if it's useful, 
> I'll add it this time.

Hi John. There is a difference betweeen installing components of the X 
client environment and installing the X server.

There's a strong argument that an Xserver should _not_ be installed on a 
server.  Any software you install is a potential source of instability and 
insecurity.  The Xserver is a large app that runs as root and bangs 
hardware.  As a result running an Xserver on a server is inviting 
instability.

Even if you need to run gui apps on the server box you can do that 
remotely as X is network transparent. You run the app on your server and 
display it elsewhere.  Running apps remotely will require installing at 
least part of the X client environment on the server.

BTW, unless you already know, go away and make sure you understand the 
definitions of Xserver and X client.  Some people consider them 
non-intuitive.

Cheers,

Rob

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