Can't connect to headless Ubuntu guest

Discussions about using Linux guests in VirtualBox.
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lathom
Posts: 2
Joined: 22. Oct 2010, 05:40
Primary OS: Mac OS X Leopard
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: Ubuntu Server

Can't connect to headless Ubuntu guest

Post by lathom »

After starting my Ubuntu Server guest with the command:

vboxmanage startvm UbuntuServer --type headless

I've tried connecting to it from my Mac OS host with the command:

rdesktop -a 16 -N localhost:3389

Instead of connecting, I get the error:

"ERROR: connect: Connection refused"

Is there something I'm doing wrong?

Thanks
Sasquatch
Volunteer
Posts: 17798
Joined: 17. Mar 2008, 13:41
Primary OS: Debian other
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Windows XP, Windows 7, Linux
Location: /dev/random

Re: Can't connect to headless Ubuntu guest

Post by Sasquatch »

You didn't read the documentation for when you're using VBoxHeadless. The build-in VRDP server is NOT running when using headless.
Read the Forum Posting Guide before opening a topic.
VirtualBox FAQ: Check this before asking questions.
Online User Manual: A must read if you want to know what we're talking about.
Howto: Install Linux Guest Additions
Howto: Use Shared Folders on Linux Guest
See the Tutorials and FAQ section at the top of the Forum for more guides.
Try searching the forums first with Google and add the site filter for this forum.
E.g. install guest additions site:forums.virtualbox.org

Retired from this Forum since OSSO introduction.
lathom
Posts: 2
Joined: 22. Oct 2010, 05:40
Primary OS: Mac OS X Leopard
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: Ubuntu Server

Re: Can't connect to headless Ubuntu guest

Post by lathom »

Thanks Sasquatch! It works now if I use the "--type VRDP" parameter. I was confused because starting the VM via VBoxHeadless does start the VRDP server automatically, whereas with VBoxManage you have to specify.
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