Xrdp is an open-source Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) server that allows users to remotely connect to a Linux machine using the Microsoft Remote Desktop Client or other RDP clients. Xrdp provides a graphical interface to Linux servers, making it easy to access and manage the desktop environment remotely. It is useful for system administrators, developers, or any user who needs remote desktop functionality on Linux systems.

Key Features of Xrdp:

1. RDP Compatibility: Xrdp is compatible with the standard Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol, which means it can be accessed using the native Windows Remote Desktop client, as well as other RDP clients on different platforms.
2. Support for Multiple Desktop Environments: Xrdp works with popular desktop environments on Linux, such as GNOME, XFCE, KDE, and others, providing flexibility for users depending on their preferred interface.
3. Session Management: Xrdp supports persistent sessions, allowing users to reconnect to the same session after disconnecting, which is useful for maintaining ongoing work without interruptions.
4. Encryption: Xrdp supports SSL and TLS to secure data transmission between the client and server, ensuring the security of remote connections.
5. Multiple Authentication Methods: Xrdp integrates with PAM (Pluggable Authentication Modules) for authentication, allowing the use of various authentication mechanisms available in Linux.
6. Lightweight and Efficient: Xrdp is lightweight compared to many alternatives, making it suitable for remote access even on less powerful systems.

Installation and Configuration:

• Xrdp can be installed on most popular Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, CentOS, and others.
• After installing, users can configure Xrdp to use the desired desktop environment and set custom settings like port numbers, encryption, and more.
• The typical installation process involves installing Xrdp with a package manager (e.g., apt install xrdp on Debian-based systems) and enabling it as a service.

Use Cases:

1. Remote Server Administration: Xrdp is commonly used by system administrators to manage Linux servers with a GUI rather than only relying on command-line tools.
2. Work-from-Home Access: Users who need to access office-based Linux systems from home can use Xrdp to connect to their desktops remotely with full GUI support.
3. Linux Application Access from Windows: Xrdp enables Windows users to access applications running on a Linux system without dual-booting or installing a virtual machine.

Benefits of Xrdp:

• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Since it uses the RDP protocol, Xrdp allows Linux systems to be accessed from Windows, macOS, and other platforms that support RDP clients.
• Ease of Use: Xrdp offers a simple way to get graphical access to a Linux server, which is especially useful for users who prefer a GUI over a command line.
• Open Source: Being an open-source project, Xrdp is free to use and can be modified to suit specific requirements.

Alternatives to Xrdp:

• VNC (Virtual Network Computing): An alternative for remote desktop access, VNC provides similar functionality but requires specific VNC clients rather than the native RDP protocol.
• NoMachine and AnyDesk: These are proprietary solutions that provide remote access to Linux machines with enhanced features and improved performance.

Limitations:

• Performance: While Xrdp works well for many remote desktop scenarios, the performance may lag compared to native desktop experiences, especially over slower networks.
• Compatibility Issues: Depending on the Linux distribution and desktop environment, Xrdp might require additional configuration or troubleshooting to work seamlessly.

Xrdp is a powerful and versatile RDP server solution for Linux, providing easy remote access to graphical Linux environments. It’s highly compatible with Windows RDP clients, making it a convenient choice for users who need to manage Linux systems from different platforms. With its ease of installation and use, Xrdp is well-suited for both home users and IT professionals looking for remote desktop functionality on Linux.

Step 1: Create an Instance

First, create a server instance running Ubuntu 24.04.

• Access the Dashboard: Log in to your Shape.Host account and navigate to your Dashboard.
• Click Create: Click on the “Create” button located in the top-right corner.
• Select Instances: From the dropdown menu, choose “Instances” to begin creating a new cloud server.

• Select Location: Choose a data center location for your instance closest to your target audience for optimal performance.

• Choose a Plan: Scroll through the available pricing plans. Select a plan based on your project requirements, such as Standard, CPU-Optimized, or Memory-Optimized.
• Choose an Image: Select Ubuntu 24.04 as the operating system for your instance.

• Authentication and Finalize: Choose your authentication method, either via SSH keys or password. Once done, click Create Instance to launch your server.

• Obtain IP Address

• Once your instance is created, return to the dashboard.
• Find your instance’s IP address under the Resources section and use it to access your server.

Step 2: Connect to Your Instance

To connect to your instance:

• Use an SSH client like Terminal (Linux/macOS) or PuTTY (Windows).
• Run the following command to connect to your instance: ssh root@<your-instance-ip>
• Replace <your-instance-ip> with the actual IP address of your instance.

Step 3: Update the System

First, update your system to ensure all the packages are up to date:

apt update

Step 4: Install Xrdp

Install Xrdp using the following command:

apt install xrdp -y

Step 5: Check the Xrdp Service Status

Check the status of the Xrdp service:

systemctl status xrdp

Step 6: Add Xrdp to SSL-Cert Group

Add the xrdp user to the ssl-cert group to enable access to the necessary certificates:

adduser xrdp ssl-cert

Step 7: Restart Xrdp

Restart the Xrdp service:

systemctl restart xrdp

Step 8: Allow RDP and SSH Connections with UFW

Configure the UFW firewall to allow RDP connections from your desired IP address and allow SSH:

ufw allow from [IP_Address] to any port 3389
ufw allow 3389
ufw allow ssh
ufw enable

Step 9: Install LightDM and Ubuntu Desktop

Install LightDM to manage your desktop sessions:

apt install lightdm

Install the Ubuntu Desktop environment:

apt install ubuntu-desktop

You will get prompted with a configuration prompt on what display manager to set as your default. Select lightdm as it’s the one we’ve installed with the previous command.

Step 10: Reboot Your System

Reboot your server to apply the changes:

reboot

Step 11: Access the Xrdp GUI

Once your server reboots, it will display a graphical user interface (GUI) that you can use to sign in. Use your server credentials to log in and access your desktop environment.

You have successfully installed and set up Xrdp on your Ubuntu 24.04 server. You can now use a remote desktop client to connect and manage your server visually, providing an easier way to interact with your system.

If you need scalable and reliable cloud hosting, consider using Shape.Host Linux SSD VPS to power your Ubuntu server. With Shape.Host, you can get a VPS tailored to your needs, offering optimal performance and flexibility.