Requirements

• A server running Rocky Linux
• Knowledge of the command-line and text editors

Introduction

xrdp provides a graphical login to remote machines using RDP (Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol). xrdp accepts connections from variety of RDP clients: FreeRDP, rdesktop, NeutrinoRDP and Microsoft Remote Desktop Client (for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android).1

This guide will demonstrate the requirements and steps needed to install xrdp on Rocky Linux OS. Based on this firm's need there a multiple configuration steps included in this document. Multiple external sources have been used to develop this guide.

Installation

Install epel-release.

dnf install epel-release

Install xrdp.

dnf install epel-release

Install "Server with GUI".

dnf groupinstall "Server with GUI"

Firewall Settings

Add xrdp to the firewall.

firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=3389/tcp

Reload the firewall.

firewall-cmd --reload

xrdp Service

Set the default graphical interface for xrdp.

systemctl set-default graphical

Enable xrdp on boot.

systemctl enable xrdp

Start xrdp

systemctl start xrdp

Verify that xrdp has no issues starting.

systemctl status xrdp

Reboot the system to fully realize xrdp and boot into graphical mode.

reboot

Conclusion

xrdp is an excellent tool for implementing a graphical login to remote machines using RDP. xrdp accepts connections from variety of RDP clients: FreeRDP, rdesktop, NeutrinoRDP and Microsoft Remote Desktop Client. For managers seeking to allow remote access to applications on premise, xrdp is a good intermediary to maintain privacy and security.

In many configurations, it is wise to implement a VPN for users to connect to the LAN of the remote-client. This configuration will allow users to connect to remote devices while locking out bad actors.

1. xrdp.org↩