This page describes starting the
ViewStation session with an automated process, the X Display Manager
(XDM).
Xdm Overview
XDM is the X Display Manager.
It is a process running on your host computer (discussed below) that
listens for a request to manage a display; the ViewStation sends this
request based on selections you make in the XDMCP
Menu in Setup Mode.
When the host's Xdm process receives a
request, it takes over the local display's screen and sends a login
screen. When you have entered your username and password, Xdm runs a
startup file called "xsession" (described below) which sets your
environment variable and starts application programs you have specified.
It generally takes care of all the background details for you, like
starting the window manager, setting the fontpath or other X variables,
etc. so you can work in your application program windows immediately.
There are some things to note about Xdm sessions.
1.
There is an Xdm security feature, "host access control" (also called
"Magic Cookie security). Note that this security is On by default, so
you may encounter problems even though you didn't make any security
selections. Xdm Host Access Control
2.
The last process started from your xsession file is your "login process"
and controls the Xdm management. If you close this process, the Xdm
session closes and kills all your processes. Details are discussed in
the Xdm xsession File.
3. There are
some variants of Xdm that have substantial differences in operation
from Xdm but still provide the same overall session management. Some of
these are the VUE environment by Hewlett Packard, DXsession by Digital
Equipment Corp., and Toolchest by Silicon Graphics. These are similar
in function to Xdm, but some of the files and syntax may be very
different. Consult your man pages for details about these systems.
Running XDMCP on your host computer
This
page describes setting up Xdm on your host computer if it is not already
running.
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