Related: Server install guide

Windows Client

There is a Windows client available to access remote linux servers.

The client can be downloaded from the x2go site. Download x2goclient-xxx-setup.exe from the Windows link, and install like any other installer.

Linux Client

First, install the X2Go PPA. While X2Go is available in the general repositories, this allows us to track the newest patches and get additional add-ons not available in the general repository.

sudo apt-add-repository ppa:x2go/stable -y

Then, install the package:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y x2goclient

Client Configuration - All OSes

Once the client is installed, configuration should be similar across OSes.

When the client opens, setup a new connection.

Set the following variables to connect to a serve:

  • Under the session tab:
    • Session name - This is an arbitrary string which will name the session
    • Host - An IP or DNS name with the server’s hostname
    • Login - SSH Username on the host
    • SSH port: defaults to 22, modify as needed
    • If possible, use the RSA/DSA key. This is more secure than password connections. Specify the path to your private key.
    • Click the ghost icon if you’d like to set a new icon. This is purely aesthetic.
    • IMPORTANT: Ensure the session type is correct. More about this below.
  • Input/Output tab:
    • Change the resolution to your desired size if you’d like.

Selecting Session Type

The session type is an important setting - it decides what remote shell is connected to.

The first option for session type is picking a Display Environment (KDE, MATE, XFCE, etc). You must select a DE which is already installed on the system, or the connection will fail. Selecting a DE will also force the user to connect to a background session, not the console output session.

The next option is using “Connect to local desktop”. This is equivilent to a console connection, and whatever is done on this view will also be visible to the system’s monitors / VM console, if connected.

Finally, you can use “Single application” to run an X2Go session with just a single application, instead of an entire remote window. This can be useful when you only ever need to run a remote application. If this option is used, you must also specify the full path to the application. This does not always work well on Windows (at least Windows 7 where I have tested it).

Connecting

Once the session details are saved, you’ll see a box on the right side of the client for your session. Click the box to connect.