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Read Also: 11 Best Tools to Access Remote Linux Desktop. In this article, we will explain how to install rdesktop in Linux system to access the remote desktop of Windows computer using the Hostname and IP Address. Windows Settings. To enable rdesktop to connect to any given Windows machine, you need to make few following changes on the Windows. Use the Microsoft Remote Desktop app to connect to a remote PC or virtual apps and desktops made available by your admin. The app helps you be productive no matter where you are. Getting Started Configure your PC for remote access first. Install and configure a remote desktop server. Now that you have a desktop environment installed, configure a remote desktop service to listen for incoming connections. Xrdp is an open source Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) server that is available on most Linux distributions, and works well with xfce. Install xrdp on your Ubuntu VM as follows.
This article shows how students can connect to a Linux virtual machine (VM) in a lab using:
- SSH (secure shell protocol) terminal
- GUI (graphical user interface) remote desktop
Important
SSH is configured automatically so that both students and the instructor can SSH into Linux VMs without any additional setup. However, if students need to connect to using a GUI remote desktop, the instructor may need to do additional setup. For details, see Enable remote desktop for Linux virtual machines.
Connect to the student VM using SSH
When a student signs in to the Labs portal directly (
https://labs.azure.com) or by using a registration link (https://labs.azure.com/register/<registrationCode>), a tile for each lab the student has access to is displayed.On the tile, toggle the button to start the VM if it's in stopped state.
Select Connect. You see two options to connect to the VM: SSH and RDP.
Select the SSH option and you will see the Connect to your virtual machine dialog box:
Click the Copy button next to the text box to copy the SSH connection information to the clipboard.
Save the SSH connection information, such as in Text pad, so that you can use this connection information in the next step.
From an SSH terminal (like Putty), connect to your VM.
Microsoft Remote Desktop Linux
Connect to the student VM using GUI remote desktop
The instructor may choose to configure VMs so that students can also connect using a GUI remote desktop. In this case, students need to find out from their instructor whether to connect to their VMs using the Microsoft Remote Desktop (RDP) or X2Go client application. Both of these applications allow a student to connect remotely to their VM and display the Linux graphical desktop on their local computer.
Connect to the student VM using Microsoft Remote Desktop (RDP)
Students can use Microsoft Remote Desktop (RDP) to connect to their Linux VMs after their instructor sets up their lab with RDP and GUI packages for a Linux graphical desktop environment (such as MATE, XFCE, and so on). Here are the steps to connect:
On the tile for your VM, ensure the VM is running and click Connect. You see two options to connect to the VM: SSH and RDP.
Select the RDP option. When the RDP file is downloaded onto your machine, save it to your VM.
If you are connecting from a Windows computer, typically, the Microsoft Remote Desktop (RDP) client is already installed and configured. As a result, all you need to do is click on the RDP file to open it and start the remote session.
Instead, if you are connecting from either a Mac or Chromebook, refer to the following steps:
- Connect to a VM using RDP on a Mac.
- Connect to a VM using RDP on a Chromebook.
Connect to the student VM using X2Go
Students can use X2Go to connect to their Linux VMs after their instructor sets up their lab with X2Go and the GUI packages for a Linux graphical desktop environment (such as MATE, XFCE, and so on).
Students need to find out from their instructor which Linux graphical desktop environment their instructor has installed. This information is needed in the next steps to connect using the X2Go client.
Install the X2Go client on your local computer.
Follow the instructions in the first section to copy the SSH connection information for your VM. You need this information to connect using the X2Go client.
Once you have the SSH connection information, open the X2Go client and select Session > New Session. Xcom 2 star wars weapons.
Enter the values in the Session Preferences pane based on your SSH connection information. For example, your connection information will look similar to this:
Using this example, the following values are entered:
- Session name - Specify a name, such as the name of your VM.
- Host - The ID of your VM; for example,
ml-lab-00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000.eastus2.cloudapp.azure.com. - Login - The username for your VM; for example, student.
- SSH port - The unique port assigned to your VM; for example, 12345.
- Session type - Select the Linux graphical desktop environment that your instructor configured your VM. You need to get this information from your instructor.
Finally, click OK to create the session.
Click on your session in the right-hand pane.
Note
If you are prompted with a similar message to this, select yes to continue to entering your password: The authenticity of host '[
00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000.eastus2.cloudapp.eastus.cloudapp.azure.com]:12345' can't be established. ECDSA key fingerprint is SHA256:00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000.Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)?When prompted, enter your password and click OK. You will now be remotely connected to your VM's GUI desktop environment.
Next steps
To learn how to enable the remote desktop connection feature for Linux VMs in a classroom lab, see Enable remote desktop for Linux virtual machines.
There are numerous reasons behind the use of remote desktops, which play a crucial role in today’s IT software ecosystem. If you’re providing support services for desktops and laptops, working with virtual servers or applications, or working in a company in which the offices are distributed nationally or internationally, you’ll be using remote desktop software.
Windows systems come with a built-in protocol for remote connections. Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) provides a graphical interface through which users can connect to a remote computer via a network connection. However, there are now several RDP alternatives on the market, designed to address potential functionality gaps. My top recommendation for a remote desktop alternative is SolarWinds® Dameware®, offering an on-premises and a cloud version, both designed to facilitate the easy handling of remote desktop issues.
What Is RDP?
RDP, short for Remote Desktop Protocol, is a protocol developed by Microsoft. It allows you to connect to another computer using a graphical user interface, so you can interact with the remote machine. You can control a remote desktop session and delete or copy text between applications running on the host machine and the guest machine. This helps with remote troubleshooting and issue resolution, so IT staff won’t need to go directly to the computer experiencing the problem.
However, with the rise of cybercrime have come warnings about the security of RDP. Moreover, several RDP alternatives have appeared on the market, many of which offer much more in the way of capabilities depending on your specific needs. If you’re looking for an alternative to Remote Desktop Protocol, consider the options below.
Best Remote Desktop Alternatives
Dameware Remote Support is a significant upgrade from RDP, designed to provide all of the same features as the Microsoft protocol along with added features that help enhance problem resolution and cybersecurity on remote devices. Like RDP, DRS makes it easy to connect remotely to other computers. With additional features built to go beyond those in RDP, DRS makes for a comprehensive and easy-to-use remote desktop connection manager alternative.
Ms Remote Desktop Linux Downloads
Like RDP, DRS offers multi-platform remote access, with support for Mac, Windows, and Linux computers. In an enterprise setting, for example, it can work across your Windows desktops, Linux servers, and Mac devices staff may connect with from home. That includes providing access to computers from Android and Apple devices including tablets, which are not supported in RDP.
Both RDP and DRS offer the ability to connect over both the internet and LAN. This is particularly important in DRS since this, along with the tool’s other features, can help facilitate straightforward troubleshooting. With both DRS and RDP, you can remotely reboot entire systems or stop services and processes if something is causing the system to fail. DRS is designed to go beyond that, though—it includes system tools that allow you to fix problems on a computer you’re connected to remotely without having to interrupt the user’s session. DRS, like RDP, also lets you directly copy and paste—or delete—text in applications between the host and guest machine.
Dameware Remote Support offers a free trial for up to 14 days.
Another good option to consider, particularly if you are working in a cloud-based IT environment, is Dameware Remote Everywhere. DRE is in some ways the same tool as DRS, but it offers slightly different features.
First, DRE is designed for use in the cloud, which means it is accessible from any compatible device with internet connection. RDP also connects to remote devices over the internet; however, a distinction between the two tools may arise when it comes to speed. While DRE has a particular focus on speed, with remote connections typically established within eight seconds, RDP typically has slower connection times.
DRE also includes additional features for taking screenshots and recording during remote sessions and connecting with the user through VoIP or video call. RDP doesn’t natively include these features, with the only way to record or take screenshots during remote sessions is by implementing outside tools and procedures.
Dameware Remote Everywhere offers a free trial for 14 days.
Royal TS provides support for RDP and other connection protocols, including VNC, SSH, FTP and SFTP, and connection through web-based interfaces. Like other professional tools, it includes credentials management and sharing features, so you don’t need to log in repeatedly. It also provides remote troubleshooting capabilities.
One of the unique features of Royal TS is it can create command tasks and key sequence tasks, which allow you to create your own tasks and automate parts of your troubleshooting processes. For example, ping and traceroute are built in, and you can automate repetitive tasks, so you can execute them as soon as a connection is established.
Royal TS distinguishes itself from RDP when it comes to credential allocation. While RDP lets you save and share credentials between teammates, it does not let you save credentials tied to a remote desktop gateway. Not only does Royal TS let you create objects and folders and dynamically allocate credentials, it also lets you link folders and connections to inherit credentials. These features are designed to facilitate strong access and security measures.
Royal TS offers a free download of its “Lite” version, which allows up to 10 connections and 10 credentials. The paid version is also available through the developer’s website.
If you’re looking for an RDP alternative specifically for use with Mac computers or mobile devices, Edovia produces many products, including several versions of Screens.
Ms Remote Desktop Linux Login
Screens iOS allows you to control other computers from your iPhone or iPad, using an SSH connection. It can connect to Mac, Linux, Raspberry Pi, and Windows PCs, using the Screens Connect app. You can view the current session (e.g., for troubleshooting), or start a new session.
Screens Mac provides the same capabilities as Screens iOS, but from Mac OS systems.
There is a free trial of Screens Mac, and a free version, called Screens Express, with limited usage for specific circumstances. Screens Mac is downloadable through the Edovia website. You can buy Screens iOS from the App Store.
Terminals is an open-source remote desktop manager intended to manage the problem of controlling multiple connections simultaneously. It integrates RDP as one of the protocols it supports, but also works with VNC, VMRC, SSH, Telnet, RAS, Citrix ICA, and HTTP and HTTPs.
It includes several basic features to make the remote connection experience smoother, including a multi-tab interface, resizable windows, customizable toolbars, and a connections history, so you can see which machines you have connected to recently. You can also search by server name and look at protocol notes. This tool is high-quality, but basic, and it may not be suitable for a large enterprise needing a greater set of features for IT support and troubleshooting management.
You can download Terminals for free on Github.
As a free tool, Terminals is a mRemoteNG alternative. For a comparison of mRemoteNG vs. Terminals, look at both repositories in Github to view the documentation, as it gets a little technical.
How to Choose an RDP Alternative
There are several factors behind choosing a good RDP alternative, but your decision will in large part depend on the number of connections you’re dealing with, the type of information in your environment (e.g., if it’s sensitive and needs extra security), and the size of your enterprise.
A free or open-source tool might be suitable in a low-risk, small business environment, in which case Terminals is a good choice. For a large enterprise or a company with sensitive data, invest in a professional tool such as Dameware Remote Support or Dameware Remote Everywhere.