xrdp

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What xrdp is

xrdp is a free, open-source remote desktop server for GNU/Linux. It provides graphical logins to remote machines through Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and supports unattended access. Listed clients include FreeRDP, rdesktop, KRDC, NeutrinoRDP, Windows MSTSC, and Microsoft Remote Desktop. Existing sessions can be resumed, and session sizes can change when connecting or while connected. Clipboard transfer works in both directions for text, bitmap content, and files; drive redirection can mount client drives remotely. xrdp can proxy connections to another RDP or VNC server, while RDP transport uses TLS encryption by default. Audio and microphone redirection require additional modules to be built. Most Linux distributions provide packages, with apt and dnf instructions. Access uses TCP port 3389, which must be permitted through the relevant firewall route. GNU/Linux is the main target, with x86 and ARM the most mature architectures.

Who it suits

xrdp suits people who need unattended graphical access to GNU/Linux machines from listed RDP clients. It is also relevant for setups requiring clipboard, drive redirection, session reconnecting, or RDP/VNC proxying.

What it does well

Free, open-source Apache-2.0 software
Supports many listed RDP clients
Reconnects and resizes existing sessions
Transfers clipboard text, images, and files
TLS encrypts RDP transport by default

What to know first

Primarily targets GNU/Linux
Audio and microphone need extra modules
TCP port 3389 must pass firewall
macOS and Windows support have limits

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
xrdp	Open-source RDP server · GNU/Linux is the primary target	Free

As xrdp.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

xrdp provides broad RDP connectivity for GNU/Linux, including session management and resource redirection. Check platform support, firewall requirements, and additional audio-module work before deployment.

Facts from xrdp's own pages

Access mode: unattended · xrdp.org, 20 Sept 2026
Audio: Audio and microphone redirection require building additional modules. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Encryption: The project states that RDP transport is encrypted using TLS by default. · xrdp.org, 12 Oct 2026
File transfer: Yes · xrdp.org, 20 Sept 2026
Free plan: Yes · xrdp.org, 20 Sept 2026
Installation: The project says most Linux distributions provide xrdp packages and gives apt and dnf installation instructions. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
License: The GitHub repository lists the project under the Apache-2.0 license. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Network requirement: xrdp listens on TCP port 3389, which the project says must be allowed through the firewall for the desired access route. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Platform support limits: The platform support policy says macOS and other UNIX-like systems are not fully supported, and xrdp no longer works on Windows. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Primary platform: The project primarily targets GNU/Linux, with x86 and ARM processors described as its most mature architectures. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Proxy: xrdp can proxy connections to another RDP or VNC server. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Purpose: xrdp provides graphical login to remote machines using Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). · xrdp.org, 12 Oct 2026
RDP clients: The project lists FreeRDP, rdesktop, KRDC, NeutrinoRDP, Windows MSTSC, and Microsoft Remote Desktop as clients that can connect. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Resource redirection: It supports two-way clipboard transfer for text, bitmap, and files, plus drive redirection for mounting client drives on the remote machine. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Security updates: The xrdp v0.10.6.1 release notes say the release fixes 10 vulnerabilities and one regression. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Session features: It supports reconnecting to existing sessions and resizing sessions on connection or while connected. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Support: The project lists user and development Google Groups and a Gitter chat for contact. · xrdp.org, 12 Oct 2026
Supported platforms: GNU/Linux · xrdp.org, 20 Sept 2026

Where xrdp stands on Freedom251

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