Step 1: Log in to the server with Sudo access.
In order to install the Xrdp application, you need to login to the server with Sudo access to it.
ssh username@your_server_ip
Step 2: Install XRDP Packages
After login, you can update your package list for upgrades for packages that need upgrading, as well as new packages that have just come to the repositories with below command
sudo apt-get update
After updates, Run below command to install Xrdp on your server
sudo apt-get install xrdp
Step 3: Install your preferred desktop environment
To install XFCE Please use below command
sudo apt-get install xfce4
#Optional
sudo apt-get install xfce4-terminal
(or)
To install MATE Please use below command
sudo apt-get install mate-core mate-desktop-environment mate-notification-daemon
Configurations to use prefered environment
After installation, configure XRDP to use XFCE environment with below command
sudo sed -i.bak '/fi/a #xrdp multiple users configuration \n xfce-session \n' /etc/xrdp/startwm.sh
(Or)
if you installed MATE, Please use below command to MATE environment
sudo sed -i.bak '/fi/a #xrdp multiple users configuration \n mate-session \n' /etc/xrdp/startwm.sh
By default Xrdp uses the /etc/ssl/private/ssl-cert-snakeoil.key file which is readable only by users that are members of the “ssl-cert” group. Execute the following command to add the xrdp user to the group
sudo adduser xrdp ssl-cert
Step 4: Allow RDP port in Firewall
Post configuring, To connect with the RDP session you need to allow the port in firewall which by default is closed. Run the below command to open the port in Ubuntu 18.04
If you have enabled UFW, Use below command
sudo ufw allow 3389/tcp
If Iptables is running on your server, Use below command
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 3389 -j ACCEPT
sudo netfilter-persistent save
sudo netfilter-persistent reload
Step 5: Restart the Xrdp application
Restart once the Xrdp application to make sure all the above changes are reflected.
sudo /etc/init.d/xrdp restart
That’s it. You will now be able to connect to the server via RDP
Conclusion
You should now be able to connect to the server via Xrdp. If you are using Linux as your Local desktop you can connect to the server via Remmina. If you are using windows as a local desktop, Windows users have an RDP connection application by default on their machines. To find it search for “Remote Desktop Connection” from the start menu.
