How to build CollabVM Server on Debian 11

This should work with newer Debian based distros too (such as Ubuntu 20.04 or 21.10)

This page documents how to build CollabVM Server 1.2.11 on Debian 11 and later, I have not been able to build the server on Debian 10 or earlier.

Step 1: Install packages

You will need to install some packages before you continue.

sudo apt install git clang make

Breaking it down:

sudo - Run this command as root

apt install - We are telling the package manager to install these packages.

git - The git CLI tool.

clang - The compiler.

make - The thing that actually makes the server.

Step 2: Cloning the repository

Run this command:

git clone https://github.com/computernewb/collab-vm-server --branch release/1.2.11 --recursive

This will clone the repository onto your computer.

Step 3: Grabbing dependencies

Before you run make or anything like that, you need to grab libraries that CollabVM server needs for a successful build.

cd into the cloned repository and then into the scripts folder, Run ./grab_deps_linux.sh and it will apt install all the packages for you.

Step 4: Building the server

cd to the root of the cloned repository, for me its ~/longhorn/collab-vm-server

Run the following command

make JPEG=1

and wait for the build.

You might see a few warnings, however this is normal. Once the build is done, cd into bin and type ./collab-vm-server 6004

Open your web browser and go to localhost:6004, if it gives you an error about the site not sending you any data its normal because 1.2.11 does not have a webserver. You will need a webserver like nginx to host the webapp!