We're using Wireshark and Cisco NAM to try and isolate things further. The VPN solution is the only thing that's worked on our local campus and we just stumbled upon it. Ironically, my 10.7.2 Mac has piss poor performance trying to VNC to this Linux system, but I can VNC from my Mac to my Mac Mini at home on my home network w/o issue.

The problem is specifically with Lion systems trying to VNC to a remote system. Built another Linux system for testing and had the same results. A Windows PC with TightVNC or RealVNC can hit the Linux PC w/o issue. Leopard and Snow Leopard can connect to the Linux host just fine. We're using the built-in Screen Sharing app (Finder, Apple + K, vnc://hostname). The remote Linux system (CentOS)has only one monitor. Our scenario is any Mac trying to VNC to a Linux system here on campus. With recent editions of Mac OS X, Apple has moved to a more sophisticated method of screen sharing. A VNC server lets you control your Mac from another computer using the VNC protocol. More recent versions are available on our VNC on Mac OS X page. This article refers to Mac OS X 10.6, aka Snow Leopard. Lights-out remote access for Intel Core vPro computers. Toolkits and solutions for integrating secure, real-time remote access. Simple, secure, ready-to-use remote access software for professionals and enterprises. As a licensed user, you have access to them all! VNC® Connect. Install TeamViewer Host on an unlimited number of computers and devices. TeamViewer Host is used for 24/7 access to remote computers, which makes it an ideal solution for uses such as remote monitoring, server maintenance, or connecting to a PC or Mac in the office or at home. Except for Admin level access, since it's password protected. With full remote access and Mac remote control, the other person - or yourself connecting to another Mac - can have the same level of control as the person using that device. To share your Mac with someone else, download a remote Virtual Network Computing (VNC) app like Jump Desktop. Chicken allows you to connect remotely to another computer, view the screen or take control of the device. Chicken is a VNC viewer for Mac OS X version 10.4 and later.

Vnc viewer software for mac os x 10.6