How to Configure Remote Desktop Access with XRDP on Fedora

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Setting up remote desktop access can greatly increase the versatility and accessibility of your Fedora system. Having the ability to access your system remotely means you can work from almost anywhere, provided you have an Internet connection. A popular way to enable this remote access on a Linux system is through XRDP, an open-source implementation of the Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) server.

In this detailed guide, we will introduce you to the process of configuring remote desktop access with XRDP on a Fedora system. In the end, you will gain the ability to remotely control your Fedora system using any RDP client.

Prerequisites

Before you start configuring XRDP, make sure you have the following prerequisites:

• A Fedora system with a graphical environment installed (e.g., GNOME, KDE Plasma).
• Administrative (root) access to the system.
• Basic understanding of terminal commands in Linux.

Step 1: Install EPEL repository

The Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux (EPEL) repository provides additional software packages for Fedora, including XRDP. To enable the EPEL repository, follow these steps:

This command installs the EPEL repository on your Fedora system. EPEL contains the necessary packages needed for the installation and configuration of XRDP.

Step 2: Install XRDP

With the EPEL repository enabled, we can now install XRDP:

This command fetches XRDP along with its dependencies and installs it on your Fedora system.

Step 3: Enable and start the XRDP service

After installing XRDP, the next step is to enable and start its service. This ensures that XRDP starts automatically at boot time:

The above command not only enables XRDP but also starts the service immediately. To verify that XRDP is running, use:

You will see an output indicating that the XRDP service is active and running.

Step 4: Configure the firewall to allow XRDP

Fedora typically comes with a firewall configured to block incoming connections. To allow XRDP traffic, open the required ports (default 3389 for XRDP):

After adding the port, reload the firewall settings to apply the changes:

Step 5: Configure SELinux for XRDP

If SELinux is enabled on your Fedora system, it may initially block XRDP. To allow connections, set the necessary booleans to adjust SELinux policies:

This command allows XRDP to establish the necessary connections needed to function properly in a SELinux-enabled environment.

Step 6: Choose a desktop environment

XRDP does not automatically detect the desktop environment you want. You must inform XRDP about your chosen environment. For example, if GNOME is your desktop choice, you need to create or edit ~/.Xclients file:

Then, make the file executable:

To use another desktop environment, such as KDE, replace 'gnome-session' in the above command with the appropriate command for your environment (for example, 'startkde' for KDE).

Step 7: Connecting to the Fedora system using the RDP client

With XRDP configured and running, you can now connect to your Fedora system from a remote machine using an RDP client. On Windows, you can use the built-in Remote Desktop Connection tool. On macOS and Linux, there are options such as Remmina or FreeRDP. To connect:

1. Launch your RDP client and enter the IP address of your Fedora system.
2. Use the username and password of an existing user account on Fedora.
3. Once connected, your desktop environment will appear, allowing you to control the Fedora system remotely.

Troubleshooting common problems

Despite following the setup process, some users may face issues. Here are some general troubleshooting tips:

• Black screen or failed login: Make sure your desktop environment is set up properly in the ~/.Xclients file and that it is executable. Check the XRDP logs for errors (/var/log/xrdp.log and /var/log/xrdp-sesman.log).
• Port blocking issues: Double-check that the XRDP port is open in the firewall, and that the SELinux settings are properly configured as shown in steps 4 and 5.
• Connection refused: Verify that the XRDP service is running. Restart the service with sudo systemctl restart xrdp if necessary.
• Protocol security error: This can be caused by a mismatch in security settings between the client and server. Make sure both are compatible, especially if using an older or non-standard RDP client.

Enhancing security

While XRDP facilitates remote access, it is essential to ensure that your connection is secure. Consider the following measures:

• SSH tunneling: Establish an SSH tunnel for an additional layer of encryption by forwarding port 3389 over SSH.
• Limit allowed users: Restrict XRDP access to only specific users by modifying the /etc/xrdp/sesman.ini file.
• Use strong passwords: Make sure all accounts with XRDP access have strong, complex passwords.
• Update regularly: Keep XRDP and Fedora packages up to date with the latest security patches.

Conclusion

Configuring remote desktop access with XRDP on Fedora makes easy and flexible control of your system possible, whether for personal projects, administrative tasks, or professional work. By following the procedures outlined in this guide, you should now have a fully functioning remote desktop setup ready for use from almost any client platform. Always remember the importance of keeping your remote connections secure to protect your data and systems from potential threats.

Continue to explore more options for Fedora and XRDP to further tailor the remote experience to your specific needs and preferences. The versatility that Fedora offers makes it an ideal choice for users who want to customize and control their systems remotely.

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