Xrdp: Cannot reconnect to active session from another machine if session started from local shell

[alphamodel]

My OS is ubuntu-18.04 LTS, xrdp is working as expected if only using from one location.

I have experienced following behavior:

1. If I login from the local machine, then xrdp cannot connected.
2. If I login from xrdp first, then cannot login from local machine.
3. If I login from the local machine, and then logout the user. Then xrdp can be connected.
4. If I login from xrdp first, and then logout xrdp. After logout, I can login from local machine.
5. If I login from xrdp from host A first, then I can login from host B through xrdp, no need to logout. Host A session will be terminated on the connection of host B.

I believe behavior 5 is the expected behavior. Is there any setting I am missing cause the local shell not working as any other remote sessions.

If more detailed information is needed, please let me know. Thanks for your help!

[metalefty]

1 and 2 are Ubuntu issue. Ask Ubuntu team.

[metalefty]

In other words, xrdp has no mechanism at all to restrict concurrent graphical login at the same time.

[jjasoncool]

1 and 2 are Ubuntu issue. Ask Ubuntu team.

centos have same issue.

In other words, xrdp has no mechanism at all to restrict concurrent graphical login at the same time.

If the session conflicts, is it an issue in the operating system?

[na69an]

@metalefty do you know any linux configuration which does not reproduce @alphamodel issues?

Is it possible to reuse the local session from remotely like windows remote desktop method?

[metalefty]

@na69an I'm not sure but regarding the latter question, I'm always using a remote session even if I'm on the local console by connecting localhost:3389.

[alphamodel]

@metalefty do you mind I ask how to connect to remote session from a local console? Thanks.

[na69an]

Possibly @metalefty has a user only for local usage and connect to remoteuser@localhost:rdp with something rdp client. It is a tricky workaround solution, but not the similar best windows to windows.
I am waiting for the best solution. Thanks!

[alphamodel]

@na69an the problem is I cannot log into the local desk environment if a rdp session is started from the other machine. How can I rdp back to my local machine without a desk environment? A bit confused how to do it.

[jjasoncool]

@na69an the problem is I cannot log into the local desk environment if a rdp session is started from the other machine. How can I rdp back to my local machine without a desk environment? A bit confused how to do it.

you can use ssh login as root and use pkill.

[na69an]

@na69an the problem is I cannot log into the local desk environment if a rdp session is started from the other machine. How can I rdp back to my local machine without a desk environment? A bit confused how to do it.

Simple, create another user for killing your user. Or you have to restart your workstation.

[alphamodel]

@na69an This is a good idea. No need to kill your user, just login the other user first, and rdp back to the main user.

[metalefty]

@na69an

Yes, that's a workaround. There's some other workaround but they're still workaround.

xrdp works like a graphical version of GNU screen or tmux. Imagine that you're using a command line session. Sessions not started in screen/tmux cannot be reattached from a different location.

If you intend to reuse a session from a different location, you must start a session in screen/tmux. Then you can reattach the screen/tmux session via SSH and get the session you created before. That's same with xrdp. If you intend to reuse a session from remote, start it in xrdp.

Please understand GNU/Linux is completely different operating system from Windows. Not everything can be possible like Windows.

[na69an]

@metalefty, thanks for the technical details. In this remoting scenario +1 for the windows platform. :-(

[alphamodel]

Thanks for your detailed answers, @metalefty.