RustDesk Remote Access Setup: A Complete Guide

Overview

This documentation provides a detailed walkthrough of how to set up and use RustDesk, a free, open-source remote access software that allows users to self-host their own relay and rendezvous servers for secure and low-latency remote connections across Windows, Linux, macOS, and mobile platforms.

1. Why Use RustDesk?

Compared to traditional remote access tools like TeamViewer, AnyDesk, RDP, and VNC:

Tool	Limitations
Windows RDP	Requires Pro edition, limited to local network or VPN, lacks native Mac support
VNC	Not encrypted by default, high latency, complex setup
TeamViewer	Free only for personal use, disconnects after 45 minutes, routes traffic via external servers
AnyDesk	Free version lacks server self-hosting
Parsec	Paid service, targeted for low-latency gaming

RustDesk Benefits:

Free and Open Source
Self-hostable for full data ownership
Supports Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS
Works with VPN (e.g., Tailscale)
GPU-accelerated for performance
Direct LAN (IP-to-IP) access

2. Installation

2.1. Installing RustDesk Client

On Windows

Download MSI installer from RustDesk GitHub Releases.
Run installer to complete installation.
RustDesk generates:
- RustDesk ID
- Password for access

On Linux (e.g., Ubuntu on ARM SBC like Orange Pi)

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
wget https://github.com/rustdesk/rustdesk/releases/download/<version>/rustdesk-<version>-arm64.deb
sudo dpkg -i rustdesk-<version>-arm64.deb

(Replace <version> with actual version from GitHub)

Launch RustDesk from the system menu post-installation.

3. LAN-Based Remote Access (IP-to-IP)

To enable secure direct LAN access:

Steps (on both client and remote PC):

Connect Using LAN IP

Input remote machine's local IP (e.g., 192.168.0.181)
Enter permanent password
Connection established (unsecured unless relay server is used)

4. Hosting Your Own RustDesk Relay Server

Self-hosting enhances privacy and performance.

4.1. Requirements

Minimal VPS (1 vCPU, 1GB RAM sufficient)
Docker & Docker Compose installed
Public static IP or dynamic DNS

4.2. Setup on Oracle Cloud (Free Tier Example)

Create Instance

OS: Ubuntu 22.04
Specs: 1 vCPU, 1GB RAM

Install Docker

sudo apt update && sudo apt install docker.io docker-compose -y

Prepare RustDesk Docker Compose File

mkdir rustdesk && cd rustdesk
nano docker-compose.yml

Docker Compose Content

version: '3'
services:
  hbbs:
    image: rustdesk/hbbs
    container_name: hbbs
    network_mode: host
    restart: unless-stopped
    volumes:
      - ./data:/root
  hbbr:
    image: rustdesk/hbbr
    container_name: hbbr
    network_mode: host
    restart: unless-stopped
    volumes:
      - ./data:/root

Run RustDesk Server

sudo docker-compose up -d

5. Configuring Clients to Use Custom Relay Server

5.1. Retrieve Server Public Key

cd rustdesk/data
cat id_ed25519.pub

Copy the full key including the = symbol at the end.

5.2. Client-Side Configuration

Once configured, RustDesk uses your private relay. Connections will be shown as "Direct and Encrypted".

6. Cross-Platform Remote Control

Tested platforms:

Windows → Windows
Windows → Linux (Ubuntu on Orange Pi 5 Plus ARM64)
Linux → Windows

Common issue on Linux:

Wayland support is experimental; use X11 for better compatibility.

7. Security Notes

Direct IP connections on LAN are unencrypted. Use relay for encryption.
Ensure your relay server is secured (firewall, SSH keys, etc.).
Use VPN or Tailscale for cross-network access if not using public relay.

8. Troubleshooting Tips

Issue	Solution
Wayland error on Linux	Switch to X11 or install Xorg
High latency on VNC/TeamViewer	Use RustDesk or Parsec
Remote not connecting	Check firewall, port `21118`, IP settings
Client still shows “Ready...”	Double-check relay setup and key input

9. Resources

Official Website
GitHub Repository
Docker Hub Images
[Wiki/Documentation (Creator’s)](add link if available)

10. Conclusion

RustDesk is a reliable, private, and performant alternative to mainstream remote access tools. By self-hosting the relay server, users can ensure security and control over their data while enjoying low-latency connections across multiple operating systems.

Let me know if you want this in Markdown or PDF format, or want a version tailored to a specific audience (e.g., internal IT teams, beginners, etc.).

RustDesk Remote Access Setup: A Complete Guide