VPS: Installation of xRDP (Remote Desktop)
This guide was created with the following products:
(Details may vary with products from different providers but the main concepts remain the same)
Introduction
On Linux, there is usually a default SSH console to manage the server. In some cases it may be easier to use a remote desktop connection, similar to Windows. A post-installation is possible for most Linux distros. In this guide this is explained for Ubuntu and Debian.
Important: At least Ubuntu 18.04.X LTS (Bionic Beaver) or Debian 10 (Buster) must be used as OS. Newer versions are recommended.
Installing xRDP
First, the server should be updated:
// Debian
sudo apt update; sudo apt upgrade -y
// Ubuntu
sudo apt update; sudo apt upgrade -y
After the update, the necessary packages will be installed:
// Debian
sudo apt install xfce4 xfce4-goodies xorg dbus-x11 x11-xserver-utils -y
// Ubuntu
sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop -y
Then xRDP can be installed:
// Debian
sudo apt install xrdp
// Ubuntu
sudo apt install xrdp
After installation, the status should return "active":
// Debian
sudo systemctl status xrdp
// Ubuntu
sudo systemctl status xrdp
If the status is okay, a user still needs to be created. Then the xRDP service has to be restarted:
// Debian
sudo adduser xrdp ssl-cert; sudo systemctl restart xrdp
// Ubuntu
sudo adduser xrdp ssl-cert; sudo systemctl restart xrdp
When finishing the configuration, you can connect to the root or the respective user data of the server via Remote Desktop. The default port is: 3389
Connection
The connection can be made via any RDP tool, connected with IP:PORT. When connecting you will be asked for the login data:
After successful login you see the desktop. With Ubuntu it looks a bit different than with Debian:
Ubuntu:
Debian:
Conclusion
Congratulations, you have successfully installed XRDP! If you have any further questions or problems, please contact our support team, who are available to help you every day!