RustDesk is an open-source remote desktop solution that offers users full control over their remote connections through a self-hosted private server. Unlike closed-source applications like TeamViewer and AnyDesk, RustDesk prioritizes a lightweight design and privacy-centric features, making it an appealing alternative for users seeking secure remote access solutions.
Prerequisites
Before delving into the installation process, it’s essential to ensure that you have the necessary prerequisites in place:
- Deploy a Ubuntu Server on Vultr:
- Vultr provides a reliable platform for hosting your Ubuntu server, offering scalability and flexibility to meet your remote desktop needs.
- Set Up a Subdomain A Record:
- Establishing a subdomain A record that points to your server enhances security by masking your direct public server IP address, thus mitigating potential security threats.
- Install Docker Compose:
- Docker Compose simplifies the deployment of containerized applications, facilitating the setup of RustDesk on your Ubuntu server.
- SSH Access to Server as Non-root Sudo User:
- Secure Shell (SSH) access as a non-root sudo user ensures secure remote access to your Ubuntu server, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access.
Installation Steps to install rustdesk server ubuntu
- Install RustDesk:
Begin by creating a dedicated directory to store RustDesk Docker files. This organized approach ensures efficient management of RustDesk resources on your Ubuntu server.
Navigate to the newly created directory and create a configuration file named rustdesk.yml.
Open the rustdesk.yml file for editing and populate it with the necessary configurations to define RustDesk services, networks, and dependencies. Ensure compatibility with the latest RustDesk server image.
Initiate the RustDesk server containers using Docker Compose and verify the successful deployment of RustDesk server containers. - Secure the Server:
While RustDesk is secure for local development environments, deploying it in a production environment requires additional security measures. Setting up Nginx as a reverse proxy enables secure access to RustDesk services through a subdomain.
Allow Nginx communication on HTTP port 80 via the Uncomplicated Firewall (UFW). Create a new Nginx configuration file dedicated to RustDesk, specifying the subdomain and proxy settings for RustDesk.
Verify the Nginx configuration for any syntax errors and restart Nginx to apply the changes. - View RustDesk Server Encryption Keys:
In accordance with your Docker Compose configuration, RustDesk encrypts all connections using a public key stored in the hbbs directory. Retrieve and copy the server public key for future reference. This key is essential for establishing encrypted connections between the RustDesk server and clients.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, this guide has provided comprehensive instructions for installing and setting up RustDesk on Ubuntu. By following these steps, you’ve successfully deployed a secure and efficient remote desktop solution, enabling seamless remote access to your Ubuntu server. RustDesk’s lightweight design and privacy-centric features make it a compelling choice for users seeking reliable remote desktop solutions.
For further information and advanced configurations, refer to the official RustDesk documentation and community resources. Explore RustDesk’s capabilities and unleash the full potential of remote desktop connectivity.
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