RustDesk Remote Desktop Self-hosted Server

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Timeline

Timeline

2025-03-14

init

This article describes how to self-host a RustDesk remote desktop server to replace the limitations of the ToDesk free version. It details the complete process of deploying an ID/relay server on Ubuntu via Docker, including installing Docker and docker-compose-plugin, writing a docker-compose.yaml file, opening required ports, and other steps. It also explains how to install RustDesk on Windows clients, configure the ID server and relay server IP, fill in the key, and finally achieve remote connection using the ID and password. This solution is free and offers better frame rate and resolution than the ToDesk free version.

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After using ToDesk for a few days, because I never shut down the computer, I used up all the quota in the middle of the month and was not allowed to continue using it for free. I uninstalled it and switched to RustDesk, using a self-hosted server. It’s free and the frame rate and resolution are much higher than the ToDesk free version. Here is the setup record.

Basic Environment Setup

I am using two Windows computers (Win10) and one Ubuntu (configuration as shown below). Using Ubuntu as the ID/relay server, one Windows connects to the other Windows. Ubuntu needs Docker installed, and both Windows machines need RustDesk installed and configured.

Note: My three machines are on the same local network.

Hardware environment

Install Docker and docker-compose-plugin

Reference:

DockerBeforeUbuntuInstall

https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/ubuntu/

After installation, you can add the current user to the docker user group

# Add the docker user group; it usually already exists, so no need to run this
sudo groupadd docker
# Add the current user to the docker user group
sudo gpasswd -a $USER docker
# Update the user group
newgrp docker
docker version

docker-compose.yaml

Refer to the official documentation:

RustDesk Self-hosted Server

https://rustdesk.com/docs/en/self-host/rustdesk-server-oss/docker/

If ufw is enabled, you need to open these ports:

sudo ufw status
sudo ufw allow 21115:21119/tcp
sudo ufw allow 8000/tcp
sudo ufw allow 21116/udp

Choose a directory to store ID/relay server data:

mkdir -p ~/rustdesk
cd ~/rustdesk
touch docker-compose.yaml

Below is the docker-compose.yaml file from the RustDesk official documentation above:

services:
  hbbs:
    container_name: hbbs
    image: rustdesk/rustdesk-server:latest
    command: hbbs
    volumes:
      - ./data:/root
    network_mode: "host"

    depends_on:
      - hbbr
    restart: unless-stopped

  hbbr:
    container_name: hbbr
    image: rustdesk/rustdesk-server:latest
    command: hbbr
    volumes:
      - ./data:/root
    network_mode: "host"
    restart: unless-stopped

Then start:

docker compose up -d
# Enter the ~/rustdesk/data folder
cd data
# View the key
cat id_*.pub

RustDesk Installation and Configuration

Install by visiting the following link:

RustDeskInstall

https://github.com/rustdesk/rustdesk/releases

After installation, open the network settings, fill in the IP of the ID/relay server (i.e., the IP of the server running Docker) into the ID server and relay server fields. The controlled end may leave the relay server blank, but it is recommended to fill it in on the controlling end. Then fill in the key on the controlling end (the content of the .pub file in the data folder above).

Windows RustDesk Network Configuration

Finally, enter the ID and password of the controlled end to connect.