Does using Xvfb to run OpenGL effects version?

Question

I'm trying to run OpenGL on headless ubuntu server.

• GPU / Driver : NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1080Ti / version 418.67
• Using freeglut (installed by running apt install freeglut3-dev)
• Using Xvfb (Since it is a headless server.)

When I run glxinfo | grep "OpenGL version", it says OpenGL version string: 3.1 Mesa 19.2.8. So, I am unable to run a code that requires OpenGL 3.3.

Since driver 418.67 is not latest, I could consider updating the driver, but I wanted to make sure if this could do something with Xvfb. Can using Xvfb can effect the driver and the OpenGL version it supports when I make a gl context with Xvfb running? Or it has nothing to do with it and only thing I can do is updating the driver?

Answer 1

Xvfb is an X server which whole purpose is to provide X11 services without having dedicated graphics hardware (i.e. a GPU). So it's the exact opposite of what you want.

Either don't use X11 at all and create a headless EGL OpenGL context: https://devblogs.nvidia.com/egl-eye-opengl-visualization-without-x-server/

Or use the "regular" Xorg server on the GPU without a display and input devices attached (you actually might want to disable automatic input device attachment in the configuration).

Personally I'd go with headless EGL.