What "-X" stands for in SSH

I want to connect to the user interface of remote machine from my own laptop. I used ssh -X user_name@machine_ip to connect the remote user interface.

However it just logged-in the command line shell.

Hi can I connect to the user interface of remote machine?

1 Answer

ssh man

-X' Enables X11 forwarding. This can also be specified on a per-host basis in a configuration file.

Running ssh -X user_name@machine_ip will log you into the remote machine, with X11 forwarding.

The meaning of X11 forwarding means that you'll be able to execute GUI commands on the remote machine, and the GUI will be shown on your local screen.

e.g. you will be able to run on the remote machine:

Ubuntu System Monitor using:

gnome-system-monitor 

Firefox using:

firefox

You can try to start the GNOME desktop environmen using:

gnome-session