Remote Desktop on VPS: How to Set Up and Use

A remote desktop based on a VPS is a fully functional computer in the cloud, accessible from anywhere in the world on any device. This approach is used by developers who need a stable environment without being tied to specific hardware, by accountants and managers working with corporate software, and by those who want to run resource-intensive tasks in the background without loading down their personal laptop. Unlike cloud services with ready-made virtual workspaces, your own VPS gives you full control over the environment, the operating system, and the installed software.

Step 1. Creating a Server in NodexGo

Go to the NodexGo control panel and click the Create Server button. Choose a location — the real ping from your device to each location is displayed next to it, which helps you immediately assess the responsiveness of your future desktop. For a graphical environment, we recommend choosing a plan with at least 2 GB of RAM: this is sufficient for a lightweight desktop like XFCE, while GNOME or KDE work more comfortably with 4 GB or more.

Select Ubuntu 24.04 as the operating system image — this is the current LTS version with long-term support and a wide documentation base. Set a clear server name, choose a convenient billing period (1, 3, 6, or 12 months), and confirm your order. In about a minute the server will be ready: the IP address and root password will appear in the panel and will be sent to your email. After that, you can connect.

Step 2. Connecting to the Server via SSH

First, connect to the new server via SSH using the IP address from the control panel. If you are on Windows, use the built-in terminal or PuTTY; on macOS and Linux, the standard terminal is sufficient.

ssh root@your-server-IP

After successfully logging in, update the package list and install available updates — this is important for security and component compatibility.

apt update && apt upgrade -y

Step 3. Installing the Graphical Environment

To use a remote desktop on a server, you need to install a graphical environment. The most optimal choice for a VPS is XFCE: it is lightweight, fast, and works well even with limited resources. If you need a more familiar environment, you can install GNOME or MATE, but they will require more RAM and CPU time.

Install XFCE and a set of basic applications with the following command. The --no-install-recommends flag helps avoid installing unnecessary dependencies and saves disk space.

apt install -y xfce4 xfce4-goodies --no-install-recommends

Step 4. Configuring RDP Access via xrdp

The most convenient way to connect to a graphical desktop is to use the RDP protocol. It is supported out of the box on Windows through the standard Remote Desktop Connection application, while on macOS and Linux the Microsoft Remote Desktop and Remmina clients are available respectively. To enable RDP on the server side, install the xrdp package.

apt install -y xrdp
systemctl enable xrdp
systemctl start xrdp

After starting xrdp, you need to specify which graphical environment to use when connecting. For XFCE, create a session configuration file in the user's home directory.

echo xfce4-session > ~/.xsession
chmod +x ~/.xsession

By default, xrdp listens on port 3389. If the UFW firewall is enabled on the server, allow incoming connections on this port. Then open an RDP client on your device, enter the server's IP address, username, and password — the desktop will load within a few seconds.

ufw allow 3389/tcp
ufw reload

Alternative: VNC for More Flexible Configuration

If RDP is not suitable for some reason, you can use the VNC protocol. It is more flexible in configuration and is supported by a wide range of clients on all platforms. For Ubuntu, TigerVNC is a popular choice. Install the server and create a password for the VNC session.

apt install -y tigervnc-standalone-server
vncpasswd

Start the VNC server specifying the screen resolution and display number. After starting, connect via any VNC client by entering the server's IP address and port 5901.

vncserver :1 -geometry 1920x1080 -depth 24

Remote Desktop Security

An open RDP or VNC port on the internet is an attractive target for automated brute-force attacks. Basic protection involves several mandatory measures. First, never use weak passwords for system users. Second, consider changing the default RDP port from 3389 to a non-standard one — this will reduce the number of automated scans. Third, and most reliably, set up an SSH tunnel: connect to RDP or VNC exclusively through it, without exposing the corresponding ports to the outside.

To tunnel an RDP connection over SSH, run the following command on your local computer, then connect with your RDP client to localhost:3389.

ssh -L 3389:localhost:3389 root@your-server-IP -N

Additionally, enable two-factor authentication for SSH and regularly check connection logs. If you accidentally lock yourself out of SSH access — do not panic: the server card in the control panel provides a web-based VNC console that allows you to log in directly and fix the configuration. You will also find the Change Root Password and Reinstall OS buttons there for serious issues.

When to Scale Up

A remote desktop is a dynamically growing workload. If you started with a lightweight XFCE environment and over time began running a browser with dozens of tabs, office applications, and development tools simultaneously, the performance of your initial plan may no longer be sufficient. The NodexGo control panel provides an Upgrade Plan button for this purpose: it allows you to switch to a higher-tier plan while keeping all data on the disk and the same IP address — there is no need to reinstall the system or reconfigure the desktop environment.

Summary

A VPS as a remote desktop is a practical solution for those who need a stable, always-accessible environment without depending on a specific device. You get full control over the OS, the ability to install any software, and the option to scale resources as needed. Setup takes no more than 15 to 20 minutes and requires no specialized knowledge beyond basic terminal usage. Rent a suitable server on NodexGo, follow the steps in this guide — and your cloud desktop will be ready to use today.