Enabling remote desktop connection on ubuntu on Azure

Enable remote desktop connection on ubuntu VM on azure

There may be instances when you will need to setup a Linux/Ubuntu VM on a public cloud like azure do quickly do some Poc instead of bothering your own local machine which may not be linux based.

Create Ubuntu (v 18 in my case) VM (Resource Managed)

ssh into VM with Putty

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install lxde

sudo apt-get install xrdp

echo startlxde > ~/.xsession

sudo /etc/init.d/xrdp start

open port 3389 in Azure firewall

RDP to Ubuntu desktop :)

Steps to Open Port 3389 on VM

1. Sign in to the Azure portal.
2. In Virtual Machines, select the VM that has the problem.
3. In Settings, select Networking. 
4. In Inbound port rules, check whether the port for RDP is set correctly. The following is an example of the configuration:
1. Priority: 300 (set 310 if 300 is already taken)
2. Name: Port_3389
3. Port(Destination): 3389
4. Protocol: TCP
5. Source: Any
6. Destinations: Any
7. Action: Allow

All Set!