rustdesk/rustdesk - Detailed Review#

Pros:#

• Open Source: Transparent codebase with community contributions
• Self-host Option: Complete control over data and infrastructure
• Cost-effective: Free to use with optional paid hosting
• Privacy-focused: No data collection when self-hosted
• Lightweight: Minimal resource consumption
• Active Development: Regular updates and improvements

Cons:#

• Setup Complexity: Self-hosting requires technical knowledge
• Mobile App Limitations: Some advanced features less optimized on mobile
• Documentation: Could be more comprehensive for advanced setups
• Enterprise Features: Lacks some enterprise-grade management tools

Prerequisites#

• Ubuntu 20.04+ server (2GB RAM minimum, 4GB recommended)
• Docker and Docker Compose installed
• Domain name with DNS configured (optional but recommended)
• Open ports: 21115-21119 (TCP), 21116 (UDP)

Step-by-Step Installation#

1. Update System

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sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

2. Install Docker

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sudo apt install docker.io docker-compose -y
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sudo systemctl enable docker
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sudo systemctl start docker

3. Create Deployment Directory

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mkdir rustdesk-server && cd rustdesk-server

4. Create Docker Compose File

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version: '3'
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networks:
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  rustdesk-net:
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    driver: bridge
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services:
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  hbbs:
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    container_name: rustdesk-hbbs
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    ports:
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      - "21115:21115"
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      - "21116:21116"
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      - "21116:21116/udp"
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      - "21118:21118"
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    image: rustdesk/rustdesk-server:latest
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    command: hbbs -r your-domain.com:21117
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    volumes:
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      - ./data:/root
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    networks:
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      - rustdesk-net
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    restart: unless-stopped
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  hbbr:
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    container_name: rustdesk-hbbr
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    ports:
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      - "21117:21117"
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      - "21119:21119"
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    image: rustdesk/rustdesk-server:latest
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    command: hbbr
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    volumes:
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      - ./data:/root
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    networks:
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      - rustdesk-net
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    restart: unless-stopped

5. Replace Domain Replace your-domain.com with your actual domain or server IP address.

6. Start Services

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sudo docker-compose up -d

7. Configure Firewall

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

8. Verify Installation Check if services are running:

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sudo docker-compose ps

9. Client Configuration Download RustDesk client and configure to use your self-hosted server by entering your server address in the ID server field.

Additional Configuration#

For enhanced security, consider:

• Setting up SSL certificates with Let’s Encrypt
• Configuring reverse proxy (Nginx)
• Implementing firewall rules
• Setting up regular backups of the data directory

Your self-hosted RustDesk server is now ready! You can access it using your server’s IP or domain in the RustDesk client settings.