remote mac desktop?
 

So, I've finally been allowed to use the 27" iMac I've been asking for for years.... and I have the basics set up on it. But mostly I need to be using my Linux desktop w/ the dual monitor setup, etc.

I know I can install a X server on the mac and connect to my Linux box... but I'd rather go the other direction.

Any way for me to get a GUI session running on the Mac but displayed on my Linux box? Preferably tunneled over SSH?

VNC.

It's native.

Go into System Prefs->Sharing.

Enable Remote Management for your User or create one if needed.

Remote Management is a bit different than the other option Screen Sharing.

With Screen Sharing enabled if the remote system is logged on as a different user than you are trying to connect as it will prompt current logged in user to allow the remote session.

Remote Management has higher privileges so no authentication at the remote terminal is needed regardless of which account / user is requesting the access.

Standard VNC call to port 5900 or 5901 does it.

Usually a port does not need to be specified but on multi monitor remote machines it sometimes makes things cleaner.

EDIT: What OS is the iMac running?

Vnc

Yosemite

If you upgrade to El Capitan, (which I dislike because some stuff was dumbed down but I like because it handles memory way better so it's a toss up,) set up Screen Sharing first then enable Remote Management or you may get Connection Refused messages.