How to Setting up Ubuntu for Windows Remote Desktop Access

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a powerful tool that makes this possible. Imagine being able to sit at your Windows machine and seamlessly work on your Ubuntu desktop, even if it's located in another room or another country. RDP allows you to do just that, displaying the Ubuntu desktop on your Windows screen and letting you interact with it using your local keyboard and mouse.

Originally developed by Microsoft for Windows, RDP's versatility now extends to various operating systems, including Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android. This tutorial will guide you through setting up your Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system to accept RDP connections, enabling you to access it effortlessly from your Windows machine.

Before we dive into the steps, let's quickly ensure you have everything in place.

Prerequisites

To follow this guide, you'll need:

• A Windows Client Machine: Any Windows version with network connectivity will work. This will be the computer you use to access your Ubuntu system.
• An Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Host Machine: This is the computer you want to access remotely. It can be a desktop or server version, but for graphical access, ensure you have a desktop environment installed.
• User Account with Sudo Privileges: You'll need a user account on your Ubuntu machine with sudo or root privileges to install software and configure the system.

Let's get started with the step-by-step setup!

Step-by-Step Guide: Setting up Ubuntu for Windows Remote Desktop Access

Windows comes with built-in Remote Desktop Connection software, making it easy to initiate RDP connections. However, Ubuntu doesn't natively speak RDP. This is where xrdp comes in. Think of xrdp as a translator, bridging the gap between Windows' RDP and Ubuntu's desktop environment.

Step #1: Install xrdp on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

xrdp is an open-source RDP server for Linux systems. It's not pre-installed on Ubuntu, so we need to install it manually.

First, refresh your package lists to ensure you have the latest software information:

Bash

sudo apt update

Next, install the xrdp package using the following command:

Bash

sudo apt install xrdp -y

This command will install xrdp and any necessary dependencies. Once the installation is complete, it's a good practice to check if the xrdp service is running:

Bash

sudo systemctl status xrdp

If the output shows that the xrdp server is active and running, congratulations! You've successfully installed xrdp.

Step #2: Configure the Firewall (UFW)

Ubuntu often uses a firewall, Uncomplicated Firewall (UFW), to enhance system security. To allow RDP connections to reach your Ubuntu system, we need to open port 3389, the standard port for RDP traffic.

First, check if UFW is enabled:

Bash

sudo ufw status

If the status is active, UFW is enabled. If it's inactive, you can enable it with:

Bash

sudo ufw enable

Now, allow RDP traffic through the firewall by adding a rule for port 3389:

Bash

sudo ufw allow 3389/tcp

This command configures UFW to permit TCP traffic on port 3389, which is essential for RDP connections.

Step #3: Connect from Windows using Remote Desktop Connection

With xrdp installed and the firewall configured, you're now ready to connect to your Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system from Windows.

1. Open Remote Desktop Connection: On your Windows machine, click the Start button, type "Remote Desktop Connection," and open the application.

2. Enter Ubuntu IP Address: In the "Computer" field, enter the IP address or hostname of your Ubuntu machine.

   • Finding your Ubuntu IP Address: If you don't know your Ubuntu machine's IP address, open a terminal on Ubuntu and use the command: ip a. Look for the IP address associated with your active network interface (e.g., eth0, wlan0, or ens33).

   • Non-standard RDP Port (Optional): If you've changed the default RDP port in xrdp (this is uncommon for basic setups), you would specify it in the format IP_address:port_number.

3. Enter Credentials: When prompted, enter the username and password of a user account on your Ubuntu system. This is the account you'll use to log in to the remote desktop session.

4. Explore Connection Options (Optional but Recommended): Before clicking "Connect," click "Show Options" to customize your RDP session.

   • Display Tab: Adjust screen resolution and color depth. Lower settings can improve performance, especially on slower networks.
   • Local Resources Tab: Choose which local resources (like printers, clipboards, and drives) you want to share between your Windows and Ubuntu sessions. This can be very useful for transferring files or using local peripherals.
   • Experience Tab: Configure visual effects. Disabling some effects can enhance performance on less powerful connections.
   • Advanced Tab: Generally, you won't need to modify settings here for a standard RDP connection.

5. Connect to Ubuntu: After configuring your options (or leaving them at default), click "Connect."

Step #4: Logging into Your Ubuntu Desktop

Upon clicking "Connect," you'll be presented with the xrdp login screen. Enter the password for the Ubuntu user account you specified earlier and click "OK."

After successful login, you'll see your Ubuntu 24.04 LTS desktop displayed within the Remote Desktop Connection window. You can now interact with your Ubuntu system as if you were physically in front of it, running applications, managing files, and performing any tasks you need to.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully established an RDP session from your Windows computer to your remote Ubuntu 24.04 LTS machine. You can now enjoy the flexibility of accessing your Ubuntu desktop environment from the comfort of your Windows system.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What are the essential requirements for accessing Ubuntu via Remote Desktop from Windows?

• A Windows computer with network access.
• An Ubuntu machine (desktop or server with a GUI).
• Windows Remote Desktop Connection client (built-in).
• xrdp server installed and running on Ubuntu.

Q. How do I install an RDP server (xrdp) on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS?

Run these commands in your Ubuntu terminal:

Bash

sudo apt update
sudo apt install xrdp -y
sudo systemctl enable xrdp

This installs xrdp and ensures it starts automatically when your Ubuntu system boots.

Q. How can I configure the desktop environment for xRDP?

By default, xrdp may use the Xorg session, which can sometimes lead to issues. For a more stable experience, especially if you encounter a black screen, consider using XFCE.

1. Install XFCE:

   Bash

   sudo apt install xfce4 -y
   

2. Configure xRDP to use XFCE: Create or edit the ~/.xsession file in your Ubuntu user's home directory:

   Bash

   echo "xfce4-session" > ~/.xsession
   

Q. How do I allow RDP connections through the Ubuntu firewall (UFW)?

If UFW is active, allow RDP traffic on port 3389:

Bash

sudo ufw allow 3389/tcp
sudo ufw reload

Q. How do I find my Ubuntu machine's IP address?

Open a terminal on your Ubuntu machine and use the command: ip a. Look for the IP address under your active network interface (e.g., eth0, wlan0, ens33).

Q. How do I initiate a Remote Desktop Connection to Ubuntu from Windows?

1. Open the "Remote Desktop Connection" app on Windows (search for "RDP" or "mstsc").
2. Enter your Ubuntu machine's IP address in the "Computer" field and click "Connect."
3. Log in using your Ubuntu username and password when prompted.

Q. How can I enhance the security of my RDP connection?

• SSH Tunneling: For encrypted connections, consider using SSH tunneling:
  Bash

  ssh -L 3389:localhost:3389 user@ubuntu-ip
  

  Then, connect to localhost on port 3389 in your Windows RDP client.
• Firewall Rules: Limit access to RDP port 3389 to specific IP addresses or networks using UFW rules for enhanced security.

Q. Why am I seeing a black screen after connecting via RDP?

A black screen often indicates an issue with the desktop environment configuration. Ensure you have a desktop environment installed (like XFCE or GNOME) and that the ~/.xsession file is correctly set up. Restart the xrdp service after making changes:

Bash

sudo systemctl restart xrdp

Q. Can I use RDP to connect to Ubuntu Server?

Yes, but only if you have installed a graphical user interface (GUI) on your Ubuntu Server. You can install a desktop environment like GNOME or XFCE:

Bash

sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop -y # For GNOME
sudo apt install xfce4 -y        # For XFCE

Q. Are there alternatives to RDP for accessing Ubuntu remotely?

Yes, here are a few popular alternatives:

• SSH (Secure Shell): Ideal for command-line access and secure file transfer.
• VNC (Virtual Network Computing) (e.g., TigerVNC, TightVNC): Provides graphical remote access and is another widely used option.
• NoMachine or AnyDesk: Third-party remote desktop solutions known for smoother performance and potentially more features than RDP or VNC in some scenarios.

This guide should equip you with the knowledge to set up and use RDP to access your Ubuntu 24.04 LTS desktop from Windows. Enjoy the convenience of remote access!