I recently installed Ubuntu 18.10 [BETA] desktop on one of my test servers… To test my apps, I wanted to connect to the Ubuntu machine via Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection (RDP)….
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. This Desktop App works for Windows, Mac and Android, but Linux is not mentioned anywhere. So I wrote the iTap team asking them for advice: Hi iTap team. I’m looking for software which can connect me through an RD Gateway (or TS gateway) to a terminal server. I can see you are referring to the new “Microsoft Remote Desktop app” for Macs.
If you want to learn how to make that work, the steps below should be a great place to start… Students and new users should fine the steps below helpful….
In most Linux environments, VNC server and other opensource remote connection tools are the only options available to users… You don’t see tools supporting Microsoft Remote Desktop Connction (RDP) protocols to connect to Linux desktop… The only tool that gets this done is XRDP….
XRDP is an open source remote desktop protocol server which uses RDP to present a GUI to desktop clients… It provides a fully functional Linux terminal server, capable of accepting connections from rdesktop, freerdp, and Microsoft’s own terminal server / remote desktop clients.
This brief tutorial is going to show students and new users how to using Windows own remote desktop connection protocol to connect to Ubuntu 18.10 / 18.04 and 16.04 desktops
When you’re ready, follow the steps below to get it working…
Step 1: Install XRDP Server
To get Ubuntu desktops to accept RDP connections, you must first install and enable XRDP remote desktop tool… to do that, run the commands below
After running the commands below reboot the desktop….
Step 2: Connect from Windows 10
Now that Xrdp server is installed, go and open Windows Remote Desktop Connection app and connect to the server IP or hostname… Make sure you’re not already logged into the desktop…
XRPD will not connect if you’re already logon to the desktop with the account you wish to connect…. The solutions I have tested is to restart the Ubuntu desktop and not to logon….
Then click Connect to initiate the connection to XRDP server…. you should be warned about Windows not trusting the computer you’re conneting to… Accept and continue to connect anyway.
Next, type in your Ubuntu machine account username and password and connect using Xorg session…
When your accout username and password are confirmed, you should be logon to your Ubuntu machine from Windows… as shown in the image below
That’s it!
You are now connected to your Ubuntu desktop from Windows using Microsoft own remote desktop connection protocol (RDP)… The graphic isn’t great, but good enough to get your work done….
Troubleshooting:
If you attempt to logon to the Ubuntu machine and the connection is ending abruptly without connecgting, follow the steps below to resolve…
- Make sure you’re not already logged on to the Ubuntu desktop… best thing is to restart and don’t logon…
- If you try Xorg session and it quickly disconnect… the next time, select X11rdp from the drop-down list. it will hang and not fully connect.… that’s OK…
- Close the X11rdp session by canceling the RDP windows… then reboot the Ubuntu desktop again… After rebooting, try the Xorg session again… this time is should connect….
- You’ll be prompted to authenticate three times after loggon on….
That’s it!
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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. Free poker tournament software for mac. 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.
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.
Microsoft Remote Desktop Linux
Dameware Remote Support offers a free trial for up to 14 days.
Linux Remote Desktop Server
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.
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.