NUC6i3SYH as headless server: no monitor, no graphics?

[JJans6]

This issue appeared after upgrading my NUC6i3SYH from Ubuntu 16.04 to 18.04. My NUC6i3SYH is installed as a headless server on my local network. It has no display and no keyboard attached to it. I control it from my desktop computer, using Remmina. This worked fine when Ubuntu 16.04 was installed on the NUC.

I have now upgraded the NUC to Ubuntu 18.04.01. No changes were made to the desktop computer from which I control the NUC. However, Remmina (on the desktop) does not work as intended any more: it can connect to the NUC and asks for the password to get access. But then it only shows a black screen. Remmina only works if I connect a display to the NUC at the time of booting. As long as the NUC senses a display does it provides graphics to Remmina. The graphics in Remmina freeze when removing the display.

What do I need to do to have graphics visible in Remmina on my desktop computer without having a display connected to the NUC?

Some technical specs about the NUC: NUC6i3SYH, CPU: i3-6100U (formerly called Skylake), using integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 520.

[AlHill]

Only windows is supported on your NUC:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005628/mini-pcs.html Supported Operating Systems for Intel® NUC Products

If you need assistance with Linux* on Intel NUC, check your distributor's website and forums for peer assistance.

Doc

[JJans6 · Accepted solution]

I have been able to solve the issue. I found the solution in a reply to a question over at AskUbuntu. That question is here: https://askubuntu.com/questions/1033436/how-to-use-ubuntu-18-04-on-vnc-without-display-attached remote desktop - How to use Ubuntu 18.04 on VNC without display attached? - Ask Ubuntu and I followed the second reply, by a user called Stefan Lemmens.

It consists of three steps:

(1) create a 20-intel.conf file, which creates a virtual display.

(2) create a shell script file, which sets the virtual display and connects to it.

(3) place this shell script in the Startup Applications, such that it gets executed automatically when the machine reboots.

This approach works fine for me. Even if no physical display is connected to the NUC does it believe that it is actually connected to a display and makes graphics available, which can be used in a remote desktop application.