Archives: Knowledge Base Articles

XRDP is the implementation of RDP on other operating systems, the
Linux server in our case, which equips the user with the same features
as RDP. This guide reviews how to connect to a Linux server using
xRDP.

Install
and Connect to a Linux server with xRDP

In this tutorial, we will show you how to install and connect to a
Linux server, Ubuntu in our case, with XRDP.

Step
1: Install GNOME or Xfce Desktop Environment

As a preliminary step, we are about to install a desktop environment
(DE) on Ubuntu since we want to interact with our Linux server by more
than using commands only.

Note: Ignore this step if you are on a desktop
version of Ubuntu.

Note: To successfully install a DE, we first need to
add a sudo user on Ubuntu and run the associated commands using
administrative privileges from there.

GNOME is a default DE in Ubuntu 20.04, and we only need to pass in a
few commands to install it.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop

After running the last line, you are asked whether you want to
proceed or abort the installation, as 2111 MB of additional disk space
will be used.

Type in Y and press Enter, and wait
for a while until the GUI packages are completely downloaded.

There is also another DE called Xfce as the second option, which is
fast and graphically appealing. Execute the following commands and the
rest of the process is similar to installing GNOME.

sudo apt update  && sudo apt install xubuntu-desktop

Step 2: Install XRDP

Ubuntu already contains the XRDP packages. Type in the following
command to install them.

sudo apt install xrdp

XRDP will start functioning promptly after the completion of
installation, but you may also check out the status of XRDP by executing
the below commands.

sudo systemctl status xrdp

XRDP is unable to function properly just yet. Linux Groups have been
defined for security reasons; as a result, certain users are denied
access to certain files. We can manually grant users the required access
if they need the extra privilege.

In this case, XRDP needs to read
“/etc/SSL/private/ssl-cert-snakeoil.key”, but it is not a member of the
associated group. Only the members of “ssl-cert” group are permitted to
use this file. You are supposed to grant permission to XRDP users. Do so
by executing the following command:

sudo adduser xrdp ssl-cert

Let’s restart XRDP to enforce the new setting.

sudo systemctl restart xrdp

Done! XRDP installation is finished.

Step 3: Check the
IP address in Ubuntu

There are tons of ways to extract your IP address. One simple way
that does not include distracting information is to execute this
command.

hostname -I

Step 4:
RDP connect on Local Windows or Linux

Now we are supposed to put in the last Lego brick of our fancy bridge
to connect to the remote Linux machine. If your local machine is on
Windows, you may use the default Remote Desktop Connection to build the
connection. Just simply open RDC, which acts as Remote Desktop Protocol,
pass in the remote server’s IP address and click on
Connect.

Later on, you will be asked for credentials, and done! You are in
control of the remote Linux server. If your local machine is on Linux
(Ubuntu), you may choose GNOME Boxes to set up RDP.
Type in the following commands:

sudo apt install gnome-boxes

Once the installation is finished, start GNOME Boxes and do as
illustrated in the picture below.

After that, pass in the IP address of the remote machine and click on
Connect.

In the picture below, the session should remain as
Xorg. Also, you may pass in the remote machine’s
credentials and click on OK to proceed.

At this point, you are connected to your Linux server.
Congratulations! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us by
submitting a
ticket.

To connect to a Linux VPS, you need to work with SSH keys. This guide
will teach you how to connect to a Linux VPS using SSH keys and also,
how to use PuTTY. Note that in order to use SSH keys, you need OpenSSH
installed on your device and server. The OpenSSH server application is
already installed on all Cloudzy Linux virtual private servers.

How to
Connect to the Linux VPS Using SSH

Ensure you have OpenSSH client installed on your device. You can then
create a secure remote connection to your Linux VPS with the following
instructions:

Step 1: Open the SSH terminal on your computer and
launch the following command:

ssh your_username@host_ip_address

Step 2: Type your password and press
Enter. Note that you won’t get any feedback on the
screen when you type. If you paste your password, ensure it is stored
securely and not in a text file.

Step 3: When you connect to a VPS for the first
time, you’ll be asked if you want to continue connecting. Just type
yes and press Enter. This message
would only appear the first time because the remote server is not
identified on your local computer.

You are now connected to the remote server.

Creating and Using SSH
keys

SSH keys are the secure alternative to connect to a remote server
without a passphrase. It is highly recommended to use this method
instead of using passwords.

The standard procedure for creating a Secure Shell public/private key
pair is as follows.

Step 1: Start
the key generation program

ssh-keygen

The output would be as follows:

Step
2: Enter the path to the file that will hold the key

By default, the file name id_rsa, representing an RSA v2 key, appears
in parentheses. You can select this file by pressing
Enter or type an alternative filename.

Note that the public key ends with .pub, but the private key does not
have this at the end.

Step 3:
Enter a passphrase for using your key

This passphrase is used for encrypting your private key. A null entry
means no passphrase is used, but this entry is discouraged for more
security. However, you can leave it empty if you’re not doing something
significant on your server. Note that the passphrase is not displayed
when you type it in.

Enter passphrase (empty for no passphrase):  <Type the passphrase>

Step 4:
Re-enter the passphrase to confirm it

Step 5: Check the
results

The key fingerprint (a colon-separated series of 2-digit hexadecimal
values) is displayed. Check that the path to the key is correct. In the
example, the path is /home/johndoe/.ssh/id_rsa.pub. At this point, you
have created a public/private key pair.

Step 6: Append the
key

Copy the public key and append the key to the
/home/johndoe/.ssh/authorized_keys file in your home directory on the
remote host.

When you create the SSH key, you can add it to your virtual private
servers and connect via SSH without the need to enter the password every
time, and it is much more secure as it can not be cracked easily like
regular passwords.

Connecting to a
Linux VPS from Windows

PuTTY is a popular Windows terminal emulator, but not limited to the
Windows operating systems. Being free and open-source, it’s also popular
with Linux users. It offers a text user interface for remote computers
running any supported protocols, including SSH and Telnet.

Step 1: Download PuTTY
on Windows

If you don’t have PuTTY installed, please visit the Download PuTTY page and download the
Windows installer from the Package Files section of the page.

Step 2: Configure
PuTTY

The main session configuration screen will appear when you launch
PuTTY. Begin by entering the server’s IP address you’re
trying to connect to.

The port will be set to 22 by default, as this is the standard port
for SSH on most servers.

Suppose you do not use a private key to connect to your server and do
not want to save your configuration for later use. In that case, you can
click Open to enable an SSH immediate connection to your server that
authenticates it with your instance’s password.

If this is the first time you are connecting to your Linux VPS, PuTTY
will show a Security Warning to inform you that it does
not have a key in the registry for this server. It’s usual for your
first connection.

You will see a new window; if the connection is successful, you will
be asked to enter your password. If you entered it all correctly, you
would now be connected to a shell on your server.

Step 3: Authenticate SSH
Key

PuTTY may also be configured to use SSH keys. SSH keys are safer and
sometimes more convenient methods of authentication.

After generating an SSH key pair and uploading the public key to your
server, you need to click on Auth to display the
authentication options in the sidebar of the main configuration
panel.

Click on Browse at the bottom of the screen next to
the Private key for authentication and pick the saved
PPK SSH key file from your local device.

Click on the Open tab, type the password, and then
connect.

Step 4: Save the
PuTTY Configuration

PuTTY allows you to save the configuration you use to connect to a
server, so you don’t have to type all the information each time. After
filling in all the necessary fields and being ready to connect, ensure
you are on the main session configuration screen described above.

You can see the hostname and port number of your server. Enter the
name of your saved SSH session configuration in the text box under
Saved Sessions and click on Save.

You now have all the information to connect to a Linux VPS. If you
have any questions, feel free to contact us by submitting a
ticket.

This article will guide you through the process of generating SSH
keys in Chrome OS Terminal, importing them to the Cloudzy Portal, and
establishing a secure connection to your Linux VPS. By embracing SSH
keys, you can bolster your server’s security, simplify remote access,
and efficiently manage your VPS through the Chrome OS command-line
interface. Let’s embark on a journey into the world of SSH keys,
harnessing their potential for secure and streamlined server
management.

Install ChromeOS
Terminal

To enable the Terminal on Chrome OS, begin by navigating to the
ChromeOS settings. In the “Linux” section, turn on the Linux feature.
This action will prompt a window with a series of installation prompts.
Choose your preferred username and disk size, then click “Install” to
initiate the process. Once the installation is complete, a Terminal
window will open, ready for use.

When you launch the Terminal for the first time, you’ll notice that
the window opens immediately and displays the progress of starting up
the Linux container. With the Terminal installed and operational, you
can now proceed with generating SSH keys, importing them to the Cloudzy
Portal, and establishing secure connections to your Linux VPS instances.
Let’s continue our journey towards secure and efficient server
management using SSH keys in Chrome OS Terminal.

Understanding
Terminal in Chrome OS

Chrome OS provides a powerful terminal application, allowing users to
access a text-based command-line interface to the underlying Linux
shell. Chrome OS Terminal empowers users to interact directly with the
operating system, enabling a wide range of tasks and system
operations.

To open the Chrome OS Terminal, Press Ctrl + Alt + T
to launch the Terminal application.

With Chrome OS Terminal at your disposal, you gain the power to
execute various commands efficiently, making it an indispensable tool
for SSH key generation and VPS management.

Generating SSH Keys on
Chrome OS

SSH keys comprise a pair of cryptographic keys—a private key (kept
confidential) and a public key (used for authentication). Generating SSH
keys on Chrome OS Terminal is a straightforward process:

1. Launch the Chrome OS Terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt +
   T.

2. Execute the following command in the Terminal window:

ssh-keygen -t rsa

3. The key generation process will prompt you to specify the storage
   location for the keys. Accept the default location by pressing the ENTER
   key, and set a passphrase for enhanced security (not recommended to skip
   this step).

⚠️Warning! You will need to enter the passphrase twice to
continue.

4. After confirming the passphrase, the system generates the key
   pair.

After confirming the passphrase, the system generates the key pair.
Your identification has been saved in /home/your_username/.ssh/id_rsa.
Your public key has been saved in /home/your_username/.ssh/id_rsa.pub.
The key fingerprint is:
ae:89:72:0b:85:da:ta:b4:8c:1f:c2:43:fd:c6:47:87 [email protected]
The key's random art image is:
+--[ RSA 2048]----+
|                 |
|         .       |
|        E .      |
|   .   . o       |
|  o . . S .      |
| + + o . +       |
|. + o = o +      |
| o...o * o       |
|.  oo.o .        |
+-----------------+

5. Your private key is saved to the id_rsa file in the .ssh directory,
   while the public key is stored in id_rsa.pub.

⚠️Important: Never share your private key with
anyone!

6. Save the public key to your clipboard by running this command:

cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

• The extensive key will manifest, replete with letters, numbers,
  and intermittent + symbols. The commencement of this
  prolonged key is indicated by: ssh-rsa. The [email protected]
  address will be at the tail end of the key, constituting a component of
  it.

• From the ssh-rsa prefix onward, select and encompass the complete
  key using your cursor. Upon releasing the cursor, an ephemeral
  notification reading Copied will briefly materialize on
  the screen.

Importing
Your SSH Key to the Cloudzy Portal

Now, import the copied SSH key to the Cloudzy Portal for secure
server management:

1. After copying the SSH key to the clipboard, log in to your
   Cloudzy account page.

2. In the left sidebar, choose SSH Keys and click
   on NEW SSH KEY in the top right corner.

3. Name your key descriptively and paste the contents of the public
   key into the Public Key area.

With your SSH key successfully imported, you’re well-prepared for
streamlined VPS creation and heightened server security.

Connecting
to Your VPS Server via Chrome OS Terminal

Now, let’s delve into the process of establishing a secure connection
to your VPS server using the Chrome OS Terminal, with a deeper look at
the -i option for added security:

1. Launch the Chrome OS Terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt +
   T.

2. Compose the following command in the terminal, ensuring you
   replace username with your VPS server’s username and
   your_server_ip with your VPS’s IP address or domain
   name:

ssh username@your_server_ip

3. If this is your first connection, confirm the host authenticity and
   enter the passphrase you set for your SSH key during generation.

Introducing the -i Option: To enhance the security
of your connection, you can utilize the -i option followed by the path
to your private SSH key. This key-based authentication adds an extra
layer of protection by ensuring that only those with the private key can
access the server.

ssh -i /home/your_username/.ssh/id_rsa username@your_server_ip

By implementing the -i option and specifying the full path to your
private SSH key, you’re bolstering the security of your connection.

By harnessing the power of SSH keys and Chrome OS Terminal, you have
unlocked a secure and efficient approach to connecting and managing your
Linux VPS. Through the process of generating SSH keys, importing them to
the Cloudzy Portal, and establishing connections via Terminal, you have
fortified your server’s security and simplified remote management.
Embrace this newfound knowledge and enjoy the seamless and secure
experience of managing your VPS with ease. If you have any questions,
feel free to contact us by submitting a
ticket.

<BlogFAQSection data={[ { title: ‘Can I use the same SSH key for
multiple Linux servers?’, answer: ‘Yes, you can use the same SSH key to
connect to multiple Linux servers. Once you have imported your SSH key
to the Cloudzy Portal, you can select it from the advanced options while
creating new servers, simplifying server management.’, }, { title: ‘Is
setting a passphrase during SSH key generation necessary on Chrome OS?’,
answer: ‘While setting a passphrase is optional, it is highly
recommended for added security. A passphrase acts as an extra layer of
protection for your private key, preventing unauthorized access to your
servers in case your key gets compromised.’, }, { title: ‘Is Chrome OS
Terminal suitable for managing my Linux VPS securely?’, answer:
‘Absolutely! Chrome OS Terminal provides a secure and efficient
command-line interface, allowing you to manage your Linux serverss
directly. With SSH keys for authentication, you eliminate the risks
associated with password-based access and ensure a robust security
posture.’, }, { title: ‘Can I use additional ssh command options in
Chrome OS Terminal?’, answer: ‘Yes, Chrome OS Terminal supports
additional ssh command options, such as port forwarding or specifying
your private key file location. These options provide flexibility and
customization when connecting to your VPS securely.’, }, { title: ‘How
do SSH keys enhance the security of my VPS management on Chrome OS?’,
answer: ‘SSH keys offer a high level of security by using asymmetric
encryption. They eliminate the risk of password-related vulnerabilities
like brute-force attacks, ensuring only authorized users with private
keys can access your servers.’, }, { title: ‘Can I revoke or delete my
SSH key from the Cloudzy Portal on Chrome OS?’, answer: ‘Yes, you have
the option to manage your SSH keys on the Cloudzy Portal. If needed, you
can remove or delete SSH keys from your account. Be sure to delete keys
that are no longer in use to maintain optimal security.’, }, ]}
/>

In this guide, we will explore the process of generating SSH keys in
macOS Terminal, importing them to the Cloudzy Portal, and establishing a
secure connection to your Linux VPS. With SSH keys, you can fortify your
server’s security, simplify remote access, and manage your VPS
efficiently through the macOS command-line interface.

Understanding Terminal in
macOS

Terminal serves as a terminal emulator on macOS, providing users with
a text-based command-line interface to the Unix shell. This powerful
tool enables direct interaction with the operating system, facilitating
a wide range of tasks and system operations.

To open the macOS Terminal, follow these steps:

1. Launch Finder and select Utilities from the Applications
   folder.
2. Locate the Terminal in the Utilities list and open it.

Generating SSH Keys on macOS

SSH keys consist of a private and public key pair, where the private
key must be kept confidential, and the public key allows secure login to
your provisioned Linux VMs. To generate SSH keys in macOS, follow these
steps:

1. Launch the Terminal application on your macOS system.
2. Execute the following command in the Terminal window:

ssh - keygen - t rsa

The key generation process will prompt you to specify the storage
location for the keys. Accept the default location by pressing the ENTER
key, and set a passphrase for enhanced security (not recommended to skip
this step).

⚠️Warning! You will need to enter the passphrase twice to
continue.

After confirming the passphrase, the system generates the key
pair.

Your private key is saved to the id_rsa file in the .ssh directory,
while the public key is stored in id_rsa.pub.

⚠️Important: Never share your private key with anyone!

Save the public key to your clipboard by running this command:

pbcopy < ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

Importing Your SSH
Key to the Cloudzy Portal

Now, import the copied SSH key to the Cloudzy Portal for secure
server management:

After copying the SSH key to the clipboard, return to your Cloudzy
account page.

In the left sidebar, choose SSH Keys and click on NEW SSH KEY in the
top right corner.

Name your key descriptively and paste the id_rsa.pub contents into
the Public Key area.

With your SSH key is successfully imported, you’re well-prepared for
streamlined VPS creation and heightened server security.

Connecting to Your VPS via
Terminal

Now, let’s explore the process of establishing a secure connection to
your VPS server through macOS Terminal, and gain a deeper understanding
of the SSH -i option for enhanced security:

1. Launch the Terminal application on your macOS system.
2. Compose the following command in the Terminal, ensuring you replace
   username with your virtual private server’s username and
   “your_server_ip” with your server IP address or domain name:

ssh username @your_server_ip

3. If this marks your initial connection, you will be prompted to
   confirm the authenticity of the host and subsequently enter the
   passphrase you designated for your SSH key during its generation.

Introducing the -i Option: To elevate the security of your
connection, you can make use of the -i option followed by the path to
your private SSH key. This mechanism is founded on key-based
authentication, which adds an additional layer of protection by allowing
only individuals with the associated private key to access the
server.

ssh - i / home / username /.ssh / id_rsa username @your_server_ip

By integrating the -i option and specifying the complete path to your
private SSH key, you are fortifying the security of your connection.

You now know how to easily connect to a Linux VPS from macOS using
SSH keys. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our support
agents by submitting a ticket.

<BlogFAQSection data={[ { title: ‘Is setting a passphrase during
SSH key generation necessary?’, answer: ‘While setting a passphrase is
optional, it is highly recommended for added security. The passphrase
acts as an additional layer of protection for your private key. If you
skip this step, anyone with access to your private key can potentially
gain unauthorized entry to your VPS.’, }, { title: ‘Can I use my SSH key
for multiple virtual private servers?’, answer: ‘Yes, you can use the
same SSH key to access multiple servers. Once you have imported your SSH
key to the Cloudzy Portal, you can select it from the advanced options
when creating new VPS instances, enabling you to manage multiple servers
seamlessly.’, }, { title: ‘Is it safe to store my private key on my
macOS system?’, answer: ‘It is essential to keep your private key safe
and confidential. By default, your private key is saved to the id_rsa
file in the .ssh directory on your macOS system. Ensure that you do not
share or expose your private key to unauthorized individuals, as it
grants access to your VPS instances.’, }, { title: ‘Can I revoke or
delete my SSH key from the Cloudzy Portal?’, answer: “Yes, you have the
option to manage your SSH keys on the Cloudzy Portal. If needed, you can
remove or delete SSH keys from your account. However, it’s important to
note that revoking an SSH key from the Cloudzy Portal does not
automatically remove the key from the actual VPS it was associated with.
You may need to manually revoke the key from the VPS itself to ensure
that unauthorized access is prevented.”, }, ]} />

While iOS does not provide a built-in SSH client for connecting to
Linux servers, you can use third-party applications like the xTerminal
SSH client. By following these steps, you can enhance your server’s
security and efficiently manage your VPS, all from the convenience of
your iOS device.

Generating SSH Keys

Before utilizing xTerminal to connect to your Linux VPS securely, you
should generate SSH keys on your Windows, macOS, or Linux computer.
Follow these step-by-step instructions to generate SSH keys:

1. Launch
Your Computer’s Terminal Application

On Windows, you can use applications like, PowerShell, or CMD. On
macOS and Linux, open the terminal application.

2. Execute the
SSH Key Generation Command

In the terminal, enter the following command to generate your SSH
keys:

ssh-keygen -t rsa

3. Set the Key Storage
Location

The key generation process will prompt you to specify the storage
location for the keys. Accept the default location by pressing the ENTER
key, and set a passphrase for enhanced security (not recommended to skip
this step).

⚠️ Warning! You will need to enter the passphrase twice to
continue.

4. The Key Pair is
Generated

After confirming the passphrase, the system generates the key
pair.

Your private key is saved to the id_rsa file in the
.ssh directory, while the public key is stored in
id_rsa.pub.

⚠️ Important: Never share your private key with
anyone!

5.
Importing Your SSH Key to the Cloudzy Portal

Now, import the copied SSH key to the Cloudzy Portal for secure
server management. After copying the SSH key to the clipboard, return to
your Cloudzy account page. In the left sidebar, choose SSH
Keys and click on NEW SSH KEY in the top right
corner.

Name your key descriptively and paste the id_rsa.pub contents into
the Public Key area.

With your SSH key successfully imported, you’re well-prepared for
streamlined VPS creation and heightened server security.

Installing xTerminal

To connect to your Linux VPS with SSH keys on your iOS device,
install xTerminal from the App Store by following these steps:

Download xTerminal from the App Store: xTerminal
on App Store

Importing
Private SSH Keys to xTerminal

Now that xTerminal is installed on your iOS device, you can import
the SSH private keys generated earlier. Here’s how:

1. Launch xTerminal on your iOS device.

2. From the app’s home page, choose Add a
   server.

3. Fill in the required fields like Name, Host IP, and Username
   (e.g., root).

4. Instead of entering a password, choose the Key
   button.

5. You will be redirected to the Keys page. Choose
   Add a Key.

6. Select a name for your key and copy and paste the contents of
   your private key file (id_rsa).

7. If you secured your private key with a passphrase, enter it in
   the designated field.

8. Finally, choose Save twice to complete the
   process

Connecting to Your Linux
VPS

With your SSH keys imported, you’re ready to connect to your Linux
VPS using xTerminal. Follow these steps:

1. Launch xTerminal on your iOS device.

2. From the app’s home page, select the server you added
   earlier.

3. xTerminal will automatically use your imported SSH keys for
   authentication.

4. Enter your SSH key passphrase (if applicable) and tap on
   Connect.

You now know how to connect to your Linux VPS from an iOS device
using SSH keys and xTerminal. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate
to contact our support agents by submitting a
ticket.

<BlogFAQSection data={[ { title: ‘Is it necessary to set a
passphrase for my SSH keys during generation?’, answer: ‘Setting a
passphrase for your SSH keys is optional but highly recommended for
added security. A passphrase acts as an additional layer of protection
for your private key, ensuring that only authorized users can access
your Linux VPS.’, }, { title: ‘Can I manage multiple Linux servers with
xTerminal?’, answer: ‘Absolutely, xTerminal allows you to manage
multiple Linux VPS instances with ease. By importing your SSH keys, you
can connect to various servers securely from your iOS device,
streamlining your server management experience.’, }, { title: ‘Is
xTerminal suitable for beginners with little experience in SSH and
server management?’, answer: ‘xTerminal offers an intuitive user
interface that caters to both beginners and experienced users. With
straightforward import options for SSH keys, even users with limited SSH
knowledge can securely connect to their Linux VPS instances using
xTerminal.’, }, ]} />