How to Install GNOME on Ubuntu 22.04 and Set Up Remote Access with xRDP and VNC

Introduction

GNOME is a popular and free desktop environment designed for UNIX-like systems. If you're running a clean vStack Cloud server and want to set up a graphical interface, installing GNOME on Ubuntu 22.04 is a great option. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from installation to connecting via xRDP and VNC, so you can manage your server with ease.

Preparing for installation

To get started, make sure you're using Ubuntu 22.04, as it is compatible with the GNOME desktop environment. Initial system setup as in our instruction.

Cloud Servers from €4 / moIntel Xeon Gold 6254 3.1 GHz CPU, SLA 99,9%, 100 Mbps channeltry

MobaXterm – an excellent tool for managing various types of connections to your server. It supports SSH, RDP, and VNC connections, which are essential for this guide. If you don't have it installed, download and install it on your local machine for seamless remote access to your server.

Updating packages

Before starting the installation of GNOME, it's crucial to update your system to ensure you have the latest software and security patches. Run the following commands to update your package list and upgrade installed packages:

Installing GNOME on Ubuntu

GNOME can be installed on Ubuntu through the ubuntu-gnome-desktop package. It requires at least 2.5 GB of free disk space. To install the GNOME desktop environment, run the following command:

The installation process will begin, and depending on your server's connection speed, it might take a few minutes to complete. Once finished, you can proceed to configure remote access.

Installing xRDP

To access your GNOME desktop remotely, you'll need to install xRDP, a tool that allows remote desktop connections via the RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol). To install xRDP on your Ubuntu server, run the following command:

This will download and install the xRDP package. Once installed, you need to start and enable the xRDP service so that it runs automatically at boot:

Next, you should check the status of the xRDP service to ensure it's running properly:

If the service is active and running, you can proceed to configure the system for remote login. In some cases, you may not be able to log in using your regular user account. To fix this, you need to set a password for the root user by running:

After setting the root password, restart the xRDP service to apply any changes:

Now, your Ubuntu system is ready for remote desktop access. You can connect using the Remote Desktop Connection tool on Windows or any RDP-compatible client on other systems. To do so, simply enter the server's IP address and log in with your user credentials or the root account, depending on your configuration.

Configuring the Desktop Environment

Let's set up the desktop as follows, start the installation as in Screen 1.

Screen 1 – Starting the Desktop Installation: Begin by configuring the desktop environment through the provided setup wizard. Choose the appropriate keyboard layout and other settings as shown in the following screens.

If you can't connect via xRDP. You must set the password for the root user by logging in through the root user and use the command:

Let's choose the keyboard layout as in Screen 2:

Screen 2 – Keyboard Layout Selection: Choose your preferred keyboard layout during the installation process.

Let's turn off the agreement with the transfer of data to applications requiring geolocation, as shown in Screen 3:

Screen 3 – Geolocation Agreement: It's recommended to disable the geolocation sharing, as shown in Screen 3, for privacy reasons.

The result is about setting up the working environment as shown in Screen 4, the result is successful:

Screen 4 – Successful Installation: After completing the setup, your system should be ready with the GNOME desktop environment. The result will look like Screen 4.

Verifying System Information

To check your system’s information, including the operating system and version, use the following command:

This will display details about your Ubuntu installation, ensuring everything is in order.

According to Screen 5:

Installing and Launching Firefox

Once GNOME is installed, you can start using the desktop environment to install applications. For example, to install Firefox, run the following:

Once the installation is complete, you can launch Firefox with the command:

The result is shown in Figure 6:

Screen 6 – Launching the Browser: The result will display the Firefox browser running on your newly installed GNOME desktop.

Configuring VNC

To set up VNC access, follow the instructions in our guide - "How to Establish VNC Connection Over SSH tunnel in Ubuntu 20.04".
Using MobaXterm, you can configure a session for remote access by entering your server’s IP address and port number (assigned by the vncserver).

Screen 7 – VNC Session Setup: Enter the required details in MobaXterm and click “OK” to start the session.

The result of connecting using VNC is shown in Screen 8:

Screen 8 – VNC Connection Result: Once connected, you will see the GNOME desktop environment displayed via VNC.

Conclusion

In this guide, we’ve covered the following:

• Installing GNOME on Ubuntu 22.04
• Connecting via xRDP for remote desktop access
• Setting up VNC using MobaXterm

Of the two options, xRDP is the most efficient method for connecting to your server. It allows for launching a terminal session directly on the remote desktop, which is not possible with VNC.

FAQ

• Can I install GNOME on other versions of Ubuntu?
  Yes, GNOME is compatible with most versions of Ubuntu. However, for the best performance and compatibility, we recommend using Ubuntu 22.04.
• What do I do if I can’t log in via xRDP?
  Make sure the root password is set up and that the xRDP service is running. You can restart xRDP with the command:

• Can I use other remote desktop clients instead of MobaXterm?
  Yes, you can use any RDP client (e.g., Windows’ built-in Remote Desktop Connection or other third-party tools) for connecting via xRDP. For VNC, ensure that your VNC client is properly configured.
• Is there a way to uninstall GNOME if I no longer need it?
  Yes, to uninstall GNOME, run:

This will remove GNOME and any unnecessary dependencies.