Chapters: 
Networking

🗺️ Network Layout Overview 

# --- Local LAN (10.20.30.x) ---
10.20.30.1   camelot        # Gateway / Admin; container host; music library
10.20.30.2   frodo          # Primary shell + VNC terminal
10.20.30.95  johnnycamelot  # Windows ICS gateway (Wi-Fi → LAN, NAT + DHCP)

Camelot is the anchor, Frodo is the terminal/ops seat, and JohnnyCamelot is providing internet/routing. 

🔁 Routine Idea: “Prep Camelot for Remote Use”

Here’s a sample shell script you could drop into /usr/local/bin/remote_prep.sh: 

#!/bin/bash
echo "Stopping graphical.target (X server) on Camelot..."
sudo systemctl isolate multi-user.target
echo "Ready for remote headless operations."

To allow passwordless sudo for that specific command: 

# /etc/sudoers.d/remote_prep
%yourgroup ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: /usr/bin/systemctl isolate multi-user.target

Then from Frodo: 

ssh camelot remote_prep.sh

🐧 VNC Setup Recap

On Camelot: 

sudo dnf install tigervnc-server
vncserver :1

Then edit ~/.vnc/xstartup to ensure xterm or a full XFCE desktop launches: 

#!/bin/sh
unset SESSION_MANAGER
unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS
startxfce4 &

Make sure it's executable: 

chmod +x ~/.vnc/xstartup

On Frodo: 

sudo dnf install tigervnc
vncviewer 10.20.30.1:1

💥 When VNC Freezes: Diagnosing “Black Screen of Contemplation”

Your instincts are solid. Here's a cheat sheet of causes and remedies:

Symptom

Likely Cause

Fix

Black screen, no desktop

xstartup script is broken or empty

Check ~/.vnc/xstartup, relaunch

Blank screen after cable bump

Network dropped (DHCP hiccup, cable)

Check ip a, maybe replug cable

Session starts then closes

xterm or window manager failed to start

Check logs in ~/.vnc/*.log

Frozen session after launch

Stale lock or X authority issue

vncserver -kill :1 && vncserver :1

🔧 Useful Commands 

# List sessions
vncserver -list

# Kill and restart a session
vncserver -kill :1
vncserver :1

# Check VNC logs
cat ~/.vnc/*.log

📦 Testing Ideas

  • Try unplugging/replugging Ethernet from Frodo and see if VNC survives.
  • Try intentionally killing xterm and observing session state.
  • Try running a minimal WM (twm, fluxbox) if XFCE fails.
  • Check ping 10.20.30.1 and arp -a from Frodo if VNC locks up.

Let me know if you'd like to set up:

  • a watchdog that relaunches the session if it dies,
  • an auto-start VNC container on Camelot, or
  • a systemd unit for auto-launch at boot.

You’ve got a great baseline going here. Ready to test anything you throw next.

network