summary refs log tree commit diff
diff options
context:
space:
mode:
authorMaxim Cournoyer <maxim.cournoyer@gmail.com>2022-07-26 15:02:53 -0400
committerMaxim Cournoyer <maxim.cournoyer@gmail.com>2022-10-07 10:11:13 -0400
commit1c528a95cb92b7808e6603d7956185005583629f (patch)
tree26cb90009fbff88fa72143c81b6e6b1f3f3109c8
parentaad4e4fc6bed1209479970f1bcd2f08ee2b53d12 (diff)
downloadguix-1c528a95cb92b7808e6603d7956185005583629f.tar.gz
services: Add xvnc-service-type.
* gnu/services/vnc.scm: New file.
* gnu/tests/vnc.scm: Likewise.
* gnu/local.mk: Register them.
-rw-r--r--doc/guix.texi163
-rw-r--r--gnu/local.mk2
-rw-r--r--gnu/services/vnc.scm247
-rw-r--r--gnu/tests/vnc.scm200
4 files changed, 608 insertions, 4 deletions
diff --git a/doc/guix.texi b/doc/guix.texi
index 27f63904cd..14592142dd 100644
--- a/doc/guix.texi
+++ b/doc/guix.texi
@@ -17554,6 +17554,7 @@ declaration.
 * Web Services::                Web servers.
 * Certificate Services::        TLS certificates via Let's Encrypt.
 * DNS Services::                DNS daemons.
+* VNC Services::                VNC daemons.
 * VPN Services::                VPN daemons.
 * Network File System::         NFS related services.
 * Samba Services::              Samba services.
@@ -21062,6 +21063,7 @@ started by the @dfn{login manager}, by default the GNOME Display Manager (GDM).
 
 @cindex GDM
 @cindex GNOME, login manager
+@anchor{gdm}
 GDM of course allows users to log in into window managers and desktop
 environments other than GNOME; for those using GNOME, GDM is required for
 features such as automatic screen locking.
@@ -21363,6 +21365,7 @@ Relogin after logout.
 
 @cindex lightdm, graphical login manager
 @cindex display manager, lightdm
+@anchor{lightdm}
 @defvr {Scheme Variable} lightdm-service-type
 This is the type of the service to run the
 @url{https://github.com/canonical/lightdm,LightDM display manager}.  Its
@@ -21566,10 +21569,11 @@ Extra configuration values to append to the seat configuration section.
 
 @cindex Xorg, configuration
 @deftp {Data Type} xorg-configuration
-This data type represents the configuration of the Xorg graphical display
-server.  Note that there is no Xorg service; instead, the X server is started
-by a ``display manager'' such as GDM, SDDM, and SLiM@.  Thus, the configuration
-of these display managers aggregates an @code{xorg-configuration} record.
+This data type represents the configuration of the Xorg graphical
+display server.  Note that there is no Xorg service; instead, the X
+server is started by a ``display manager'' such as GDM, SDDM, LightDM or
+SLiM@.  Thus, the configuration of these display managers aggregates an
+@code{xorg-configuration} record.
 
 @table @asis
 @item @code{modules} (default: @code{%default-xorg-modules})
@@ -30836,6 +30840,157 @@ Defaults to @samp{()}.
 
 @c %end of fragment
 
+@node VNC Services
+@subsection VNC Services
+@cindex VNC (virtual network computing)
+@cindex XDMCP (x display manager control protocol)
+
+The @code{(gnu services vnc)} module provides services related to
+@dfn{Virtual Network Computing} (VNC), which makes it possible to
+locally use graphical Xorg applications running on a remote machine.
+Combined with a graphical manager that supports the @dfn{X Display
+Manager Control Protocol}, such as GDM (@pxref{gdm}) or LightDM
+(@pxref{lightdm}), it is possible to remote an entire desktop for a
+multi-user environment.
+
+@subsubheading Xvnc
+
+Xvnc is a VNC server that spawns its own X window server; which means it
+can run on headless servers.  The Xvnc implementations provided by the
+@code{tigervnc-server} and @code{turbovnc} aim to be fast and efficient.
+
+@defvar {Scheme Variable} xvnc-service-type
+
+The @code{xvnc-server-type} service can be configured via the
+@code{xvnc-configuration} record, documented below.  A second virtual
+display could be made available on a remote machine for via the
+following configuration:
+@end defvar
+
+@lisp
+(service xvnc-service-type (xvnc-configuration (display-number 10)
+@end lisp
+
+As a demonstration, the @command{xclock} command could then be started
+on the remote machine on display number 10, and it could be display
+locally via the @command{vncviewer} command:
+@example
+# Start xclock on the remote machine.
+ssh -L5910:localhost:5910 -- guix shell xclock -- env DISPLAY=:10 xclock
+# Access it via VNC.
+guix shell tigervnc-client -- vncviewer localhost:5910
+@end example
+
+The following configuration combines XDMCP and Inetd to allow multiple
+users to concurrently use the remote system, login in graphically via
+the GDM display manager:
+
+@lisp
+(operating-system
+  [...]
+  (services (cons*
+             [...]
+             (service xvnc-service-type (xvnc-configuration
+                                         (display-number 5)
+                                         (localhost? #f)
+                                         (xdmcp? #t)
+                                         (inetd? #t)))
+             (modify-services %desktop-services
+               (gdm-service-type config => (gdm-configuration
+                                            (inherit config)
+                                            (auto-suspend? #f)
+                                            (xdmcp? #t)))))))
+@end lisp
+
+A remote user could then connect to it by using the @command{vncviewer}
+command or a compatible VNC client and start a desktop session of their
+choosing:
+@example
+vncviewer remote-host:5905
+@end example
+
+@quotation Warning
+Unless your machine is in a controlled environment, for security
+reasons, the @code{localhost?} configuration of the
+@code{xvnc-configuration} record should be left to its default @code{#t}
+value and exposed via a secure means such as an SSH port forward.  The
+XDMCP port, UDP 177 should also be blocked from the outside by a
+firewall, as it is not a secure protocol and can expose login
+credentials in clear.
+@end quotation
+
+@c Use (configuration->documentation 'xvnc-configuration) to regenerate
+@c the documentation.
+@c %start of fragment
+@deftp {Data Type} xvnc-configuration
+Available @code{xvnc-configuration} fields are:
+
+@table @asis
+@item @code{xvnc} (default: @code{tigervnc-server}) (type: file-like)
+The package that provides the Xvnc binary.
+
+@item @code{display-number} (default: @code{0}) (type: number)
+The display number used by Xvnc.  You should set this to a number not
+already used a Xorg server.
+
+@item @code{geometry} (default: @code{"1024x768"}) (type: string)
+The size of the desktop to be created.
+
+@item @code{depth} (default: @code{24}) (type: color-depth)
+The pixel depth in bits of the desktop to be created.  Accepted values
+are 16, 24 or 32.
+
+@item @code{port} (type: maybe-port)
+The port on which to listen for connections from viewers.  When left
+unspecified, it defaults to 5900 plus the display number.
+
+@item @code{ipv4?} (default: @code{#t}) (type: boolean)
+Use IPv4 for incoming and outgoing connections.
+
+@item @code{ipv6?} (default: @code{#t}) (type: boolean)
+Use IPv6 for incoming and outgoing connections.
+
+@item @code{password-file} (type: maybe-string)
+The password file to use, if any.  Refer to vncpasswd(1) to learn how to
+generate such a file.
+
+@item @code{xdmcp?} (default: @code{#f}) (type: boolean)
+Query the XDMCP server for a session.  This enables users to log in a
+desktop session from the login manager screen.  For a multiple users
+scenario, you'll want to enable the @code{inetd?} option as well, so
+that each connection to the VNC server is handled separately rather than
+shared.
+
+@item @code{inetd?} (default: @code{#f}) (type: boolean)
+Use an Inetd-style service, which runs the Xvnc server on demand.
+
+@item @code{frame-rate} (default: @code{60}) (type: number)
+The maximum number of updates per second sent to each client.
+
+@item @code{security-types} (default: @code{("None")}) (type: security-types)
+The allowed security schemes to use for incoming connections.  The
+default is "None", which is safe given that Xvnc is configured to
+authenticate the user via the display manager, and only for local
+connections.  Accepted values are any of the following: ("None"
+"VncAuth" "Plain" "TLSNone" "TLSVnc" "TLSPlain" "X509None" "X509Vnc")
+
+@item @code{localhost?} (default: @code{#t}) (type: boolean)
+Only allow connections from the same machine.  It is set to #true by
+default for security, which means SSH or another secure means should be
+used to expose the remote port.
+
+@item @code{log-level} (default: @code{30}) (type: log-level)
+The log level, a number between 0 and 100, 100 meaning most verbose
+output.  The log messages are output to syslog.
+
+@item @code{extra-options} (default: @code{()}) (type: strings)
+This can be used to provide extra Xvnc options not exposed via this
+<xvnc-configuration> record.
+
+@end table
+
+@end deftp
+@c %end of fragment
 
 @node VPN Services
 @subsection VPN Services
diff --git a/gnu/local.mk b/gnu/local.mk
index 5976cbe90c..698070c639 100644
--- a/gnu/local.mk
+++ b/gnu/local.mk
@@ -694,6 +694,7 @@ GNU_SYSTEM_MODULES =				\
   %D%/services/sysctl.scm			\
   %D%/services/telephony.scm			\
   %D%/services/version-control.scm              \
+  %D%/services/vnc.scm				\
   %D%/services/vpn.scm				\
   %D%/services/web.scm				\
   %D%/services/xorg.scm				\
@@ -775,6 +776,7 @@ GNU_SYSTEM_MODULES =				\
   %D%/tests/telephony.scm		        \
   %D%/tests/version-control.scm			\
   %D%/tests/virtualization.scm			\
+  %D%/tests/vnc.scm				\
   %D%/tests/web.scm
 
 INSTALLER_MODULES =                             \
diff --git a/gnu/services/vnc.scm b/gnu/services/vnc.scm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..15c3c14fee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gnu/services/vnc.scm
@@ -0,0 +1,247 @@
+;;; GNU Guix --- Functional package management for GNU
+;;; Copyright © 2022 Maxim Cournoyer <maxim.cournoyer@gmail.com>
+;;;
+;;; This file is part of GNU Guix.
+;;;
+;;; GNU Guix is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+;;; under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+;;; the Free Software Foundation; either version 3 of the License, or (at
+;;; your option) any later version.
+;;;
+;;; GNU Guix is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+;;; WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+;;; MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+;;; GNU General Public License for more details.
+;;;
+;;; You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+;;; along with GNU Guix.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+(define-module (gnu services vnc)
+  #:use-module (gnu packages vnc)
+  #:use-module ((gnu services) #:hide (delete))
+  #:use-module (gnu system shadow)
+  #:use-module (gnu services configuration)
+  #:use-module (gnu services shepherd)
+  #:use-module (guix gexp)
+  #:use-module (guix records)
+
+  #:export (xvnc-configuration
+            xvnc-configuration-xvnc
+            xvnc-configuration-display-number
+            xvnc-configuration-geometry
+            xvnc-configuration-depth
+            xvnc-configuration-port
+            xvnc-configuration-ipv4?
+            xvnc-configuration-ipv6?
+            xvnc-configuration-password-file
+            xvnc-configuration-xdmcp?
+            xvnc-configuration-inetd?
+            xvnc-configuration-frame-rate
+            xvnc-configuration-security-types
+            xvnc-configuration-localhost?
+            xvnc-configuration-log-level
+            xvnc-configuration-extra-options
+
+            xvnc-service-type))
+
+;;;
+;;; Xvnc.
+;;;
+
+(define (color-depth? x)
+  (member x '(16 24 32)))
+
+(define (port? x)
+  (and (number? x)
+       (and (>= x 0) (<= x 65535))))
+
+(define-maybe/no-serialization port)
+
+(define-maybe/no-serialization string)
+
+(define %security-types '("None" "VncAuth" "Plain" "TLSNone" "TLSVnc" "TLSPlain"
+                          "X509None" "X509Vnc"))
+
+(define (security-type? x)
+  (member x %security-types))
+
+(define (security-types? x)
+  (and (list? x)
+       (and-map security-type? x)))
+
+(define (log-level? x)
+  (and (number? x)
+       (and (>= x 0) (<= x 100))))
+
+(define (strings? x)
+  (and (list? x)
+       (and-map string? x)))
+
+(define-configuration/no-serialization xvnc-configuration
+  (xvnc
+   (file-like tigervnc-server)
+   "The package that provides the Xvnc binary.")
+  (display-number
+   (number 0)
+   "The display number used by Xvnc.  You should set this to a number not
+already used by a Xorg server.  When remoting a complete desktop session via
+XDMCP and using a compatible VNC viewer as provided by the
+@code{tigervnc-client} or @code{turbovnc} packages, the geometry is
+automatically adjusted.")
+  (geometry
+   (string "1024x768")
+   "The size of the desktop to be created.")
+  (depth
+   (color-depth 24)
+   "The pixel depth in bits of the desktop to be created.  Accepted values are
+16, 24 or 32.")
+  (port
+   maybe-port
+   "The port on which to listen for connections from viewers.  When left
+unspecified, it defaults to 5900 plus the display number.")
+  (ipv4?
+   (boolean #t)
+   "Use IPv4 for incoming and outgoing connections.")
+  (ipv6?
+   (boolean #t)
+   "Use IPv6 for incoming and outgoing connections.")
+  (password-file
+   maybe-string
+   "The password file to use, if any.  Refer to vncpasswd(1) to learn how to
+generate such a file.")
+  (xdmcp?
+   (boolean #f)
+   "Query the XDMCP server for a session.  This enables users to log in a
+desktop session from the login manager screen.  For a multiple users scenario,
+you'll want to enable the @code{inetd?} option as well, so that each
+connection to the VNC server is handled separately rather than shared.")
+  (inetd?
+   (boolean #f)
+   "Use an Inetd-style service, which runs the Xvnc server on demand.")
+  (frame-rate
+   (number 60)
+   "The maximum number of updates per second sent to each client.")
+  (security-types
+   (security-types (list "None"))
+   (format #f "The allowed security schemes to use for incoming connections.
+The default is \"None\", which is safe given that Xvnc is configured to
+authenticate the user via the display manager, and only for local connections.
+Accepted values are any of the following: ~s" %security-types))
+  (localhost?
+   (boolean #t)
+   "Only allow connections from the same machine.  It is set to @code{#true}
+by default for security, which means SSH or another secure means should be
+used to expose the remote port.")
+  (log-level
+   (log-level 30)
+   "The log level, a number between 0 and 100, 100 meaning most verbose
+output.  The log messages are output to syslog.")
+  (extra-options
+   (strings '())
+   "This can be used to provide extra Xvnc options not exposed via this
+<xvnc-configuration> record."))
+
+(define (xvnc-configuration->command-line-arguments config)
+  "Derive the command line arguments to used to launch the Xvnc daemon from
+CONFIG, a <xvnc-configuration> object."
+  (match-record config <xvnc-configuration>
+    (xvnc display-number geometry depth port ipv4? ipv6? password-file xdmcp?
+          inetd? frame-rate security-types localhost? log-level extra-options)
+    #~(list #$(file-append xvnc "/bin/Xvnc")
+            #$(format #f ":~a" display-number)
+            "-geometry" #$geometry
+            "-depth" #$(number->string depth)
+            #$@(if inetd?
+                   (list "-inetd")
+                   '())
+            #$@(if (not inetd?)
+                   (if (maybe-value-set? port)
+                       (list "-rfbport" (number->string port))
+                       '())
+                   '())
+            #$@(if (not inetd?)
+                   (if ipv4?
+                       (list "-UseIPv4")
+                       '())
+                   '())
+            #$@(if (not inetd?)
+                   (if ipv6?
+                       (list "-UseIPv6")
+                       '())
+                   '())
+            #$@(if (maybe-value-set? password-file)
+                   (list "-PasswordFile" password-file)
+                   '())
+            "-FrameRate" #$(number->string frame-rate)
+            "-SecurityTypes" #$(string-join security-types ",")
+            #$@(if localhost?
+                   (list "-localhost")
+                   '())
+            "-Log" #$(format #f "*:syslog:~a" log-level)
+            #$@(if xdmcp?
+                   (list "-query" "localhost" "-once")
+                   '())
+            #$@extra-options)))
+
+(define %xvnc-accounts
+  (list (user-group
+         (name "xvnc")
+         (system? #t))
+        (user-account
+         (name "xvnc")
+         (group "xvnc")
+         (system? #t)
+         (comment "User for Xvnc server"))))
+
+(define (xvnc-shepherd-service config)
+  "Return a <shepherd-service> for Xvnc with CONFIG."
+  (let* ((display-number (xvnc-configuration-display-number config))
+         (port (if (maybe-value-set? (xvnc-configuration-port config))
+                   (xvnc-configuration-port config)
+                   #f))
+         (port* (or port (+ 5900 display-number))))
+    (shepherd-service
+     (provision '(xvnc vncserver))
+     (documentation "Run the Xvnc server.")
+     (requirement '(networking syslogd))
+     (start (if (xvnc-configuration-inetd? config)
+                #~(let* ((inaddr (if #$(xvnc-configuration-localhost? config)
+                                     INADDR_LOOPBACK
+                                     INADDR_ANY))
+                         (in6addr (if #$(xvnc-configuration-localhost? config)
+                                      IN6ADDR_LOOPBACK
+                                      IN6ADDR_ANY))
+                         (ipv4-socket (and #$(xvnc-configuration-ipv4? config)
+                                           (make-socket-address AF_INET inaddr
+                                                                #$port*)))
+                         (ipv6-socket (and #$(xvnc-configuration-ipv6? config)
+                                           (make-socket-address AF_INET6 in6addr
+                                                                #$port*))))
+                    (make-inetd-constructor
+                     #$(xvnc-configuration->command-line-arguments config)
+                     `(,@(if ipv4-socket
+                             (list (endpoint ipv4-socket))
+                             '())
+                       ,@(if ipv6-socket
+                             (list (endpoint ipv6-socket))
+                             '()))
+                     #:user "xvnc"
+                     #:group "xvnc"))
+                #~(make-forkexec-constructor
+                   #$(xvnc-configuration->command-line-arguments config)
+                   #:user "xvnc"
+                   #:group "xvnc")))
+     (stop #~(make-inetd-destructor)))))
+
+(define xvnc-service-type
+  (service-type
+   (name 'xvnc)
+   (default-value (xvnc-configuration))
+   (description "Run the Xvnc server, which creates a virtual X11 session and
+allow remote clients connecting to it via the remote framebuffer (RFB)
+protocol.")
+   (extensions (list (service-extension
+                      shepherd-root-service-type
+                      (compose list xvnc-shepherd-service))
+                     (service-extension account-service-type
+                                        (const %xvnc-accounts))))))
diff --git a/gnu/tests/vnc.scm b/gnu/tests/vnc.scm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..34c2db1203
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gnu/tests/vnc.scm
@@ -0,0 +1,200 @@
+;;; GNU Guix --- Functional package management for GNU
+;;; Copyright © 2022 Maxim Cournoyer <maxim.cournoyer@gmail.com>.
+;;;
+;;; This file is part of GNU Guix.
+;;;
+;;; GNU Guix is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+;;; under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+;;; the Free Software Foundation; either version 3 of the License, or (at
+;;; your option) any later version.
+;;;
+;;; GNU Guix is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+;;; WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+;;; MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+;;; GNU General Public License for more details.
+;;;
+;;; You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+;;; along with GNU Guix.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+(define-module (gnu tests vnc)
+  #:use-module (gnu bootloader)
+  #:use-module (gnu bootloader grub)
+  #:use-module (gnu packages)
+  #:use-module (gnu packages ocr)
+  #:use-module (gnu packages glib)
+  #:use-module (gnu services)
+  #:use-module (gnu services dbus)
+  #:use-module (gnu services desktop)
+  #:use-module (gnu services networking)
+  #:use-module (gnu services ssh)
+  #:use-module (gnu services vnc)
+  #:use-module (gnu services xorg)
+  #:use-module (gnu system)
+  #:use-module (gnu system file-systems)
+  #:use-module (gnu system shadow)
+  #:use-module (gnu system vm)
+  #:use-module (gnu tests)
+  #:use-module (guix gexp)
+  #:use-module (guix modules)
+  #:export (%test-xvnc))
+
+(define %xvnc-os
+  (operating-system
+    ;; Usual boilerplate.
+    (host-name "komputilo")
+    (timezone "Europe/Berlin")
+    (locale "en_US.UTF-8")
+    (bootloader (bootloader-configuration
+                 (bootloader grub-bootloader)
+                 (targets '("/dev/sdX"))))
+    (file-systems (cons (file-system
+                          (device (file-system-label "my-root"))
+                          (mount-point "/")
+                          (type "ext4"))
+                        %base-file-systems))
+
+    (users (cons (user-account
+                  (name "dummy")
+                  (group "users")
+                  (supplementary-groups '("wheel" "netdev"
+                                          "audio" "video")))
+                 %base-user-accounts))
+    (packages (append (map specification->package
+                           '("dbus"     ;for dbus-run-session
+                             "dconf"
+                             "gnome-settings-daemon" ;for schemas
+                             "ratpoison"
+                             "tigervnc-client"
+                             "xterm"))
+                      %base-packages
+                      (list `(,glib "bin")
+                            glib)))
+    (services (cons*
+               (service openssh-service-type (openssh-configuration
+                                              (permit-root-login #t)
+                                              (allow-empty-passwords? #t)))
+               (service xvnc-service-type (xvnc-configuration
+                                           (display-number 5)
+                                           (security-types (list "None"))
+                                           (log-level 100)
+                                           (localhost? #f)
+                                           (xdmcp? #t)
+                                           (inetd? #t)))
+               (modify-services %desktop-services
+                 (gdm-service-type config => (gdm-configuration
+                                              (inherit config)
+                                              (auto-login? #t)
+                                              (auto-suspend? #f)
+                                              (default-user "root")
+                                              (debug? #t)
+                                              (xdmcp? #t))))))))
+
+(define (run-xvnc-test)
+  "Run tests in %XVNC-OS."
+
+  (define os (marionette-operating-system
+              %xvnc-os
+              #:imported-modules (source-module-closure
+                                  '((gnu services herd)))))
+
+  (define vm (virtual-machine
+              (operating-system os)
+              (memory-size 1024)))
+
+  (define test
+    (with-imported-modules (source-module-closure
+                            '((gnu build marionette)
+                              (guix build utils)))
+      #~(begin
+          (use-modules (gnu build marionette)
+                       (guix build utils)
+                       (srfi srfi-26)
+                       (srfi srfi-64))
+
+          (let ((marionette (make-marionette (list #$vm))))
+
+            (test-runner-current (system-test-runner #$output))
+            (test-begin "xvnc")
+
+            (test-assert "service running"
+              (marionette-eval
+               '(begin
+                  (use-modules (gnu services herd))
+                  (start-service 'xvnc))
+               marionette))
+
+            (test-assert "wait for port 5905, IPv4"
+              (wait-for-tcp-port 5905 marionette))
+
+            (test-assert "wait for port 5905, IPv6"
+              (wait-for-tcp-port 5905 marionette
+                                 #:address
+                                 '(make-socket-address
+                                   AF_INET6 (inet-pton AF_INET6 "::1") 5905)))
+
+            (test-assert "gdm auto-suspend is disabled"
+              ;; More a GDM than a Xvnc test, but since it's a cross-cutting
+              ;; concern and we have everything set up here, we might as well
+              ;; check it here.
+              (marionette-eval
+               '(begin
+                  ;; Check that DCONF_PROFILE is set...
+                  (invoke "/bin/sh" "-lc" "\
+pgrep gdm | head -n1 | xargs -I{} grep -Fq DCONF_PROFILE /proc/{}/environ")
+
+                  ;; ... and that
+                  (invoke "/bin/sh" "-lc" "\
+sudo -E -u gdm env DCONF_PROFILE=/etc/dconf/profile/gdm dbus-run-session \
+gsettings get org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.power sleep-inactive-ac-type \
+| grep -Fq nothing"))
+               marionette))
+
+            (test-assert "vnc lands on the gdm login screen"
+              ;; This test runs vncviewer on the local VM and verifies that it
+              ;; manages to access the GDM login screen (via XDMCP).
+              (begin
+                (define (ratpoison-abort)
+                  (marionette-control "sendkey ctrl-g" marionette))
+
+                (define (ratpoison-help)
+                  (marionette-control "sendkey ctrl-t" marionette)
+                  (marionette-type "?" marionette)
+                  (sleep 1))            ;wait for help screen to appear
+
+                (define (ratpoison-exec command)
+                  (marionette-control "sendkey ctrl-t" marionette)
+                  (marionette-type "!" marionette)
+                  (marionette-type (string-append command "\n") marionette))
+
+                ;; Wait until the ratpoison help screen can be displayed; this
+                ;; means the window manager is ready.
+                (wait-for-screen-text marionette
+                                      (cut string-contains <> "key bindings")
+                                      #:ocr #$(file-append tesseract-ocr
+                                                           "/bin/tesseract")
+                                      #:pre-action ratpoison-help
+                                      #:post-action ratpoison-abort)
+
+                ;; Run vncviewer and expect the GDM login screen (accessed via
+                ;; XDMCP).  This can take a while to appear on slower machines.
+                (ratpoison-exec "vncviewer localhost:5905")
+                ;; XXX: tesseract narrowly recognizes "Guix" as "uix" from the
+                ;; background image; ocrad fares worst.  Sadly, 'Username' is
+                ;; not recognized at all.
+                (wait-for-screen-text marionette
+                                      (cut string-contains <> "uix")
+                                      #:ocr #$(file-append tesseract-ocr
+                                                           "/bin/tesseract")
+                                      #:timeout 120)))
+
+            (test-end)))))
+
+  (gexp->derivation "xvnc-test" test))
+
+(define %test-xvnc
+  (system-test
+   (name "xvnc")
+   (description "Basic tests for the Xvnc service.  One of the tests validate
+that XDMCP works with GDM, and is therefore heavy in terms of disk and memory
+requirements.")
+   (value (run-xvnc-test))))