How to use xrdp with x11vnc, so windows can access a Linux Debian Trixie 16.03.26

xrdp is just a proxy to the vnc server

# Setting up x11vnc with XRDP for Remote Access

This guide outlines how to set up x11vnc to access your existing X11 session remotely via XRDP, allowing you to use the built-in Windows Remote Desktop Connection.

## Prerequisites

*   A Debian/Ubuntu-based Linux system.
*   Basic familiarity with the command line.

## Installation

Install x11vnc and XRDP:

```bash
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install x11vnc xrdp -y
```

**Explanation:**

*   `sudo apt-get update`: Updates the package lists.
*   `sudo apt-get install x11vnc xrdp -y`: Installs x11vnc (the VNC server) and XRDP (the remote desktop server). The `-y` flag automatically answers "yes" to any prompts during the installation.

## Configure x11vnc Password

Set a password for your x11vnc connection. This password will be used to authenticate VNC clients:

```bash
x11vnc -storepasswd
```

**Explanation:**

*   `x11vnc -storepasswd`: Prompts you to enter and confirm a password. The password is stored in an obfuscated form in `~/.vnc/passwd`.

## Test x11vnc (Optional)

You can test the x11vnc server by manually starting it. This step is optional but helps ensure that x11vnc is working correctly before setting it up as a service:

```bash
x11vnc -display :0 -auth guess -forever -loop -rfbauth ~/.vnc/passwd
```

**Explanation:**

*   `-display :0`: Specifies the X display to connect to (usually the main display).
*   `-auth guess`: Tries to automatically determine the authentication method.
*   `-forever`: Keeps x11vnc running until you explicitly kill it.
*   `-loop`: Keeps listening for new connections after a client disconnects.  Crucial for allowing reconnections.
*   `-rfbauth ~/.vnc/passwd`: Specifies the password file created earlier.

**Note:** This command runs x11vnc in the foreground. To stop it, press `Ctrl+C` in the terminal.

## Create a Systemd Service for x11vnc

To run x11vnc automatically at boot and ensure it restarts if it crashes, create a systemd service file:

```bash
sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/x11vnc.service
```

Add the following content to the `x11vnc.service` file:

```ini
[Unit]
Description=x11vnc VNC server
After=display-manager.service
Requires=display-manager.service

[Service]
Type=simple
User=dev1  # Replace with your actual username
ExecStart=/usr/bin/x11vnc -display :0 -auth guess -forever -loop -rfbauth /home/dev1/.vnc/passwd
Restart=on-failure

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
```

**Important:**

*   **Replace `dev1` with your actual username.** This is essential for x11vnc to access the `.vnc/passwd` file and your X11 session.
*   **`Restart=on-failure`:** This line ensures that the service restarts automatically if it crashes.

## Enable and Start the x11vnc Service

```bash
sudo systemctl enable x11vnc.service
sudo systemctl start x11vnc.service
sudo systemctl status x11vnc.service
```

**Explanation:**

*   `sudo systemctl enable x11vnc.service`: Enables the service to start at boot.
*   `sudo systemctl start x11vnc.service`: Starts the service immediately.
*   `sudo systemctl status x11vnc.service`: Checks the status of the service. Look for "active (running)" to confirm it's working.

## Configure XRDP to Use x11vnc

Configure XRDP to connect to the existing x11vnc session. Edit the `/etc/xrdp/xrdp.ini` file:

```bash
sudo nano /etc/xrdp/xrdp.ini
```

Add a new session entry or modify an existing one to use the `vnc` module:

```ini
[xrdp1]
name=x11vnc Session
lib=libvnc.so
username=ask
password=ask
ip=127.0.0.1
port=5900
```

**Explanation:**

*   `[xrdp1]`:  This is a session configuration section.  Choose an available number (e.g., `xrdp2`, `xrdp3`, etc.) if `xrdp1` is already in use.
*   `name=x11vnc Session`: A descriptive name for the session.
*   `lib=libvnc.so`: Specifies the VNC module.
*   `username=ask`: Prompts for the system username.
*   `password=ask`: Prompts for the system password.
*   `ip=127.0.0.1`: Connects to localhost (the same machine).
*   `port=5900`: The VNC port that x11vnc is listening on.

## Restart XRDP

Restart the XRDP service to apply the changes:

```bash
sudo systemctl restart xrdp
```

## Connect via Windows Remote Desktop Connection

1.  Open the Remote Desktop Connection application on your Windows machine.
2.  Enter the IP address or hostname of your Linux server.
3.  Click "Connect."
4.  You will be prompted for your system username and password (the ones you use to log in to your Linux server).
5.  After successfully authenticating with XRDP, you should see your existing X11 session.

https://man.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?query=x11vnc&sektion=&manpath=freebsd-release-ports

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How to use xrdp with x11vnc, so windows can access a Linux Debian Trixie 16.03.26

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