Can't seem to get remote desktop work

I’m trying to setup remote access with the OpenSuSe acting as server.

I followed this tutorial https://kamarada.github.io/en/2020/04/29/remote-desktop-connection-to-linux-from-windows-using-the-xrdp-server/
However, it did not work, I had to manually install xrdp and enable & start the service.

However I’m still running into an issue. When I log in I don’t get a desktop environment. I do get the OpenSuSe greet screen & a terminal window, but there is no plasma desktop or menu.

I can’t find any actual errors. What am I missing?

Why not use YaST’s remote administration module, and vncviewer?

How do I set up the remote administration module?

Beware using generic or 3rd party tutorials for Linux in general.
Some things are the same from one distro to another but distros can also be unique in how some technologies are set up.

Nowadays VNC can be one of those rather unique technologies.
Briefly…
openSUSE like many other distros installs TigerVNC because it supports better security and certain configurations mainly for business use. This means that old documentation or documentation for other distros aren’t guaranteed to make sense on openSUSE.

For most topics, the openSUSE documentation is a good place to start.
Keep in mind that you have to make a decision whether to set up one time sessions or persistent sessions.
And, as always if a YaST configuration module exists, you should install it and try to use it… letting YaST make basic decisions for you can set you up a lot faster than doing everything by hand.

The openSUSE documentation you should follow is at the following link if you want to set up one time sessions, the section of persistent connections should follow after that if that’s what you want.

https://doc.opensuse.org/documentation/leap/reference/html/book-opensuse-reference/cha-vnc.html#sec-vnc-one-time

For some people who might find it helpful I have posted my notes for a future article intended to supplement the openSUSE VNC documentation, it’s not intended to replace the openSUSE documentation in any way but re-word a few parts and provide more information than what is in the official documentation

https://en.opensuse.org/User:Tsu2/remote_administration_VNC

If you’re already familiar with VNC, you might be able to just open up the YaST Remote Admininistration module, fill in the blanks and get it to work…

TSU

Are you wondering where it is,
or what you should enter in the module?

The openSUSE documentation link in my post previous to this one describes a couple different ways to set up, if you need help but as I tried to describe there are different kinds of connections (one time vs persistent) you need to answer on your own first (ask if that’s not clear) and setting up your certificate authentication if you want to enable that (highly preferable).

TSU

OK, so now my system is completely broken with Xorg.0.log having the following error:

   463.661] (EE) Failed to open authorization file "/run/sddm/{081d9035-c253-4e94-a10c-068114d5f448}": No such file or directory

Hi
@Let_Me_Be, perhaps take a step back? When you say a server, what services are you running that requires a desktop environment to manage? If you do, then would suggest a light weight desktop, like ICEWm if you need X running. Then you can always use a local X sever and ssh to fire up an X application, if just want to monitor main services and have a terminal session, then there are the likes of Cockpit which you could run.

Your error suggests one problem you’re having… The SDDM Window Manager is well known not to support VNC advanced features
https://en.opensuse.org/User:Tsu2/remote_administration_VNC#Prerequisites_which_may_not_be_configured_by_default

Install LightDM and then use Alternatives to permanently use it instead of SDDM to solve that problem.

If you have troubles installing LightDM or configuring to use it, post your attempt…

This can be solved by commands “zypper” for your package management and installation plus “update-alternatives” to set your Window Manager selection.

TSU

OK, one step forward, LightDM does work, however VNC is still failing. And by failing, I mean that I don’t see any errors, its running an everything, my firewall is off yet, the client just says “error”.