Installing a Graphical User Interface (GUI) on a Linux system isn’t mandatory as system administration and configuration can be done through SSH. However, a GUI offers advantages, especially for Windows users new to terminals. It can be a cost-effective way to manage a Linux server without a Windows license, simplifying complex tasks. The terminal remains relevant, but tasks like file management and configuration editing become more straightforward with a GUI. This tutorial guides through installing XFCE4 GUI and XRDP on CentOS and Debian systems, divided into three sections: meeting prerequisites, software installation, and connecting to the server.

Prerequisites

An already installed instance running any Linux operating system: This means you have a Linux system up and running.
A working internet connection: You need an internet connection to download and install the necessary software packages.
A VNC client or SSH client: A VNC client allows you to connect to a remote computer and view its desktop, while an SSH client allows you to connect to a remote computer and execute commands.
A user which is allowed to log in to the operating system: This means you have a user account with the necessary privileges to install software and make changes to the system.
A little bit work on the terminal either via SSH or VNC: You should be comfortable working with the terminal, which is a text-based interface for interacting with the Linux system.

Installation and Configuration:

Step 1: Create a new user

Use the following command to create a new user:

useradd -m -s /bin/bash USERNAME

Replace USERNAME with the desired username.

Step 2: Update the package manager database and install XRDP and the GUI

Ubuntu-based systems:

apt update
apt install xrdp vnc4server xubuntu-desktop

CentOS-based systems:

yum install -y epel-release
yum groupinstall "Server with GUI" -y
yum -y install xrdp tigervnc-server

Step 3: Configure XRDP

3.1: Create a TLS certificate

Use the following command to create a TLS certificate:

openssl req -x509 -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes -keyout xrdp.key.pem -out xrdp.crt.pem -days 3650

3.2: Set file permissions

Set the file permissions for the TLS certificate and key:

chown root:root xrdp*.pem
chmod 640 xrdp*.pem

3.3: Move files to /etc/xrdp

Move the TLS certificate and key to the /etc/xrdp directory:

mv xrdp*.pem /etc/xrdp

3.4: Edit the xrdp.ini file

Open the xrdp.ini file for editing:

nano /etc/xrdp/xrdp.ini

Locate the following lines and change them to match the following:

security_layer = TLS
certificate = /etc/xrdp/xrdp.crt.pem
key_file = /etc/xrdp/xrdp.key.pem

Step 4: Verify that the system starts into the graphical target

Check if the system starts into the graphical target:

systemctl get-default

If the output is not graphical.target, set it as the default target:

systemctl set-default graphical.target

Step 5: Enable the xrdp service

Enable the xrdp service:

systemctl enable xrdp.service

Step 6: Set the desktop environment for the created user

Set the desktop environment for the newly created user:

echo „xfce4-session“ > /home/USERNAME/.xsession
chown USERNAME: /home/USERNAME/.xsession

Replace USERNAME with the username you created in Step 1.

Step 7: Reboot the server

Reboot the server:

reboot

Connection

After the server is rebooted, you should be able to connect to it via RDP using an RDP client. This allows you to control the system remotely using a graphical desktop environment.

Conclusion

This tutorial has provided step-by-step instructions on how to install GUI and XRDP on Ubuntu and CentOS operating systems. By following these instructions, you will be able to remotely access your Linux system using a graphical desktop environment. This can be useful for a variety of tasks, such as managing your system, installing software, and working on documents.

Key takeaways:

The prerequisites for installing a GUI and XRDP are a working internet connection, a VNC or SSH client, a user with login privileges, and a little bit of experience working with the terminal.
The installation and configuration process involves updating the package manager database, installing XRDP and the GUI, configuring XRDP, checking the system startup target, enabling the xrdp server, setting the desktop environment, and rebooting the server.
Once the server is rebooted, you can connect to it via RDP using an RDP client.

Remote Desktop Access on Linux: Setting Up GUI and XRDP