Remote Desktop Solutions Guide: RustDesk and Alternatives
Anand Chowdary
Cloud Engineer | AWS, Azure, M365, GCP | DevOps, Systems & Network Administration | RHCE, Azure, CCNA Certified | Building Scalable Cloud Solutions | Containerization & Automation Skills
Introduction
Remote desktop access is essential for IT professionals, businesses, and home users who need to access computers remotely. While many solutions are available, finding one that's free, open-source, and performs well across different operating systems can be challenging. This guide explores various remote desktop options, focusing on RustDesk as a comprehensive solution.
Traditional Remote Desktop Challenges
Windows Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
Native Windows solution with excellent performance
Major limitation: Requires Windows Pro edition for host computers
Only works within the same network without additional configuration
Cost: ~$200 per Pro license
Cross-Platform Issues
Windows to Mac: Requires third-party solutions
Mac to Windows: Works with Microsoft Remote Desktop app (requires Windows Pro)
Linux: Can use xRDP but requires additional setup
VNC: Available for all platforms but can be difficult to configure
Modern Solutions
Browser-Based Options
1. Apache Guacamole
Free and open-source
Browser-based access
Suitable for basic web browsing and terminal access
2. Kasm Workspaces
Free and open-source
Browser-based access
Better GPU support than Guacamole
Good for basic remote access needs
Commercial Solutions
1. TeamViewer
Easy to use
Free for personal use
Drawbacks:
Frequent prompts for commercial license
Relies on TeamViewer's servers
Limited control over connection routing
2. AnyDesk
TeamViewer alternative
Self-hosting requires a paid license
Good performance
RustDesk: A Comprehensive Solution
Key Features
Free and open-source, Self-hostable, Cross-platform support (Windows, Mac, Linux, Mobile), Direct IP access capability, GPU acceleration support, Encrypted connections.
Setup Options
Local Network Usage
1. Install the RustDesk client on both computers
2. Enable direct IP access (Port 21118)
3. Set a permanent password
4. Connect using a local IP address
Cloud Server Setup
1. Requirements:
- Virtual machine (can use any cloud provider) I'm running both relay and server on Azure cloud.
- Docker installed
2. Installation Steps:
# Create directory
mkdir rustdesk-docker
cd rustdesk-docker
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# Create docker-compose file
vi docker-compose.yml
# Start services
docker-compose up -d
```
3. Configuration:
- Retrieve the public key from the server
- Configure clients with server IP and public key
- Use an ID-based connection for remote access
Connection Types
1. Direct Connection
- Fastest performance
- Uses local network
- Requires IP access
2. Relay Connection
- Falls back when direct connection is impossible
- Slightly lower performance
- Works across different networks
Best Practices
1. Use direct IP connections when possible
2. Enable hardware codec for better performance
3. Configure permanent passwords for frequently accessed machines
4. Use VPN solution for secure remote access
Security Considerations
- All connections are encrypted
- Self-hosted server provides complete control over data
- Can integrate with existing VPN solutions
- Password protection for all connections
- Option for one-time passwords for temporary access
Use Cases
1. IT Support
Remote troubleshooting
System maintenance
Software installation
2. Business Use
Remote work access
Cross-platform team collaboration
Video editing and resource-intensive tasks
3. Personal Use
Home lab access
Family tech support
Accessing home computers while traveling
Resources