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X-Windows Configuring and Using Configuring the X Windows Server (Chapter 3: Pages 40-65) . XWN740. Agenda. Configuring the X Windows Server: Background X windows server configuration tools Allowing X to configure itself X.org configuration sections. Configuring X Windows.
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X-Windows Configuring and Using Configuring the X Windows Server (Chapter 3: Pages 40-65) XWN740
Agenda Configuring the X Windows Server: • Background • X windows server configuration tools • Allowing X to configure itself • X.org configuration sections
Configuring X Windows • X.org is an educational non-profit corporation that provides open source implementation of the X Windows system.As discussed in a previous lesson, most open source operating system distributions adopted the X.org server.. • There are hundreds of video cards, keyboards, and pointer devices available in the PC marketplace, and the X.org server must support thousands of equipment combinations. • The xorg.conf file lets you manage this diversity by specifying exactly how you want the X server to operate.
Configuring X Windows Main devices managed by the X Window server: • Each X Windows server manages one display and must be configured to manage three types of devices: • one or more screens, each consistingof a video card and a monitor • one or more pointing devices • one or more keyboards
Configuring X Windows • The man page for xorg.conf defines a large number of locations where an X configuration file may be located. • Unless the X server is being run as root, the file must be placed in a location which is (traditionally) only accessible to the system administrator, to prevent damage to hardware. • The standard location for the X configuration file is:/etc/X11/xorg.conf
Configuring X Windows Creating an X configuration File: • Most Linux vendors provide a configuration tool for the X server. For example, SUSE provides sax2 , ubuntu provides displayconfig-gtk and Fedora provides system-config-display. • The X server itself is also capable of generating a configuration file when the -configure option is used.eg. X -configure
Configuring X Windows • Example of X -configure [root] X -configure :1 This is a pre-release version of the X server from The X.Org Foundation.It is not supported in any way.Display of Configuration information .....Your xorg.conf file is /root/xorg.conf.new To test the server,run 'X -config /root/xorg.conf.new'
Configuring X Windows xorg.conf Sections The xorg.conf file has sections which correspond to the devices to be configured: • Device (video card) • Monitor • Screen - ties together a Device and Monitor section • InputDevice (pointer or keyboard) • SeverLayout -(optional) ties together two or more InputDevice sections with one or more Screen sections
Configuring X Windows Writing or Editing a Config File • xorg.conf file sections are identified with the Section and EndSection keywords; the lines between these keywords specify various values: Section "Device" Identifier "VideoCard-0" Driver "nv" Option "HWCursor" "On" EndSection • The Identifier line associates a name with this section, which is used for cross-referencing when issuing X command with options. For full details on the syntax, see the man page...
Configuring X Windows Writing or Editing a Config File • Options provide the user to make special modifications to the specified hardware. • For example, it may seem strange xorg.conf file requires one or more keyboards and/or mice, but it was stated at beginning of semester X Windows requires one or more monitors, zero or more keyboards or mice. • For the mouse section, and option “AllowMouseOpenFail” provides the ability to run X windows without a mouse. • If there are no keyboards, system assumes keyboard fails...
Configuring X Windows Additional xorg.conf Sections Additional sections configure server attributes which are not directly tied to the hardware: • Files - specifies FontPath and RGBPath locations • ServerFlags - options that control the overall server operation • Module - lists modules that should be loaded in addition to device drivers; typically used for optional extensions • Mode (or ModeLine) - defines special video modes • Entensions - enables or disables special extensions such as COMPOSITE.
Configuring X Windows Additional xorg.conf Sections Additional sections configure server attributes which are not directly tied to the hardware: • DRI - configured the Direct Render Interface • VideoAdaptor - configures Xv hardware. No one knows what this section does any more! • Vendor - vendor-specific information (e.g., which configuration tool generated the file)
Configuring X Windows Final Considerations when Configuring X • Get to know the most common tools available for generating an xorg.conf file, including their strengths and weaknesses. • Learn the most common locations for the configuration file • Become familiar with the main sections of this file and how the sections are related to each other • Learn how to find details about the specific contents of this file when you need that information (eg. man pages)