Hello,

I stopped using TeamViewer a very long time ago. Since then, I’ve been using DWService and I’m quite happy with it. I like the fact that I can access to the terminal without launching any graphical component on the machine (which is handy for my headless servers, and allows me not to open SSH port). I also like the fact that it works even if my VPN server is down, as I can access remote servers that aren’t accessible via the web when they’re no longer reachable through my VPN.

However, there are a few issues that are bothering me more and more. I’ve switched my mum’s computer to Fedora and, whilst it worked perfectly under Windows, remote control is very buggy under fedora because the connection isn’t great. Furthermore, it’s impossible to access the screen if the computer isn’t unlocked.

So, I’d really like to find a solution that meets my criteria:

  • Accessible via a web browser
  • Ideally open-source
  • Free
  • Ideally self-hostable, but I’m worried that if, for example, my reverse proxy or VPN crashes, I won’t be able to access my machines to debug them?
  • Allows access to servers without a monitor
  • Allows access to computers running Fedora without the need for prior unlocking

Thanks!

  • cerothem@lemmy.caEnglish
    2·
    4 hours ago

    For remote access I use two solutions that both have the features your looking for.

    The first one which I have used for longer than I can remember is MeshCentral https://github.com/Ylianst/MeshCentral

    This one works great, is web based, let’s you access a shell, or you can make port tunnels been agents, access RDP or vnc in the web UI, the file system etc.

    it’s a really great one stop shop that more than covers what you’re looking for.

    The second is RustDesk https://github.com/rustdesk/rustdesk with the betterdesk server and web UI https://github.com/UNITRONIX/BetterDesk

    This one scratched my TeamViewer itch and weekend pretty well. It’s newer than MeshCentral and not as easy to setup however on top of the web client it’s got apps which in my opinion provide a better experience for remote desktop access than MeshCentrals novnc client especially around copy paste.

    All in all, of your looking for something ultra easy I recommend MeshCentral, it’s minor quirks around novnc are so easy to overlook since it just works so well.

    If you want a modern TeamViewer then go with RustDesk/betterdesk but it’s newer and needs some extra work to get going.

    All these projects are open source, free, self hostable, has headless file and terminal access, and have web clients.

    For using Linux on any remote solution you pretty much have to run the desktop on x11 instead of Wayland. I don’t know if any software has found a great Wayland solution yet.