I’ve the need to execute some Selenium test on a server without the X server up. This test are managed by CruiseControl, so the are auto-executed in a batch mode.
A browser instance is needed by Selenium, so I’ve two choice for execute it without X: use of the X Virtual Frame Buffer or use of the VNC. I’ve choosed the second!

For doing this I need only of this some commands:

a) vncserver :1 -geometry 1024×768 -depth 16
This command start a server with a size of 1024×768 and 16bit for the color on display addressed by “:1″.
If you want to use a particular windows manager edit the .vnc/xstartup file.

2) execute ‘export DISPLAY=:1′ for using the correct display from CruiseControl

3) start CruiseControl

4) have fun!