Here’s a simple tutorial for setting up Synergy with Ubuntu as client and Vista as Server

I have a CPU running on Ubuntu and a Laptop running on Vista. I use my Ubuntu box as a test server for my projects while Vista for my daily use. My monitor is placed on my left side and my laptop on the right.

So basically here’s how my setup would look like:

Left – Ubuntu (no keyboard & mouse)
Right – Vista (with keyboard & mouse)

Left – Ubuntu (Client)
right – Vista (Server)

Setup Synergy on Vista

Download Synergy here and install it.

On Vista run Synergy & configure the server

  • Click the Share this computer’s keyboard and mouse (server) radio button
  • Click the Screens & Links Configure… button
  • Click the + button to add the server to the Screens list
    • Enter the name of server (the computer’s name is the recommended name)
    • Optionally enter other names the server is known by
    • Click OK
  • Use the + button to add your other computers
    • Using a computer’s name as its screen name is recommended
    • Choose desired screen options on the Add Screen dialog
  • Use the controls under Links to link screens together
    • Click (once) on the server’s name in the Screens list
    • Choose the screen to the left of the server; use — if there is no screen to the left of the server
    • Choose the screens to the right, above and below the server
    • Repeat the above steps for all the other screens
  • Click OK to close the Screens & Links dialog
  • If the server’s screen name is not the server’s computer name:
    • Click Advanced…
    • Enter the server’s screen name next to Screen Name
    • Click OK

Now click Start, your server is running!

Setup Synergy on Ubuntu

Open up your terminal and type:

sudo apt-get install synergy

Then type:

synergy -f ip-address-of-server

Now your client is running. You can move your mouse and see that it is working superbl

Autostart on GNOME

If you want to run your client on autostart, just go to Systems > Preferences > Sessions

Click Add and put the following:

Name: Synergy
Command: synergyc -f ip-address-of-server

Click OK, restart and your DONE!

I learned all these from:

* http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/index.html
* https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SynergyHowto