06 Remote Desktop

Remote Desktop allows connecting to other computers, like a server, from another.
Media servers are great candidates for this.
Simpler servers, like Pi-hole and picframe, will use the more basic SSH terminal.

AGAIN, this is ONLY if using Debian on the server!

SERVER SIDE - Remote Desktop

IF server uses Debian, we need to install some packages.
Pop!_OS has this installed already, but they aren’t as optimized for [headless] server life.

Install the XFCE desktop environment:

sudo apt install -y xfce4 xfce4-goodies	

Install ‘xrdp’ which is the remote desktop program itself:

sudo apt install xrdp -y

Check to make sure xrdp is enabled & running:

sudo systemctl status xrdp

Further testing needed, but maybe only one of these is needed?

1. Add ssl-cert for xrdp (try just this one first)

sudo adduser xrdp ssl-cert 

2. Add session instruction to a file (if desktop won’t load)

echo "xfce4-session" | tee .xsession

After one (or both), restart xrdp:

sudo systemctl restart xrdp

Some guides call out other packages you need, but they might be included in dependencies?

sudo apt install xorg dbus-x11 x11-xserver-utils xorgxrdp

CLIENT SIDE - Local computer

When just looking for remote desktop connection, the local side is quick.

Install remmina

sudo apt install remmina

Remmina Settings:

• server = IP address of remote server
• user / password = of the remote server, for auto-login

That’s it! But there’s more to it on BOTH sides if we need to wake up the server from sleep!!