Overview
The Linux Remote Desktop (RustDesk) Policy turns remote desktop access on or off for managed Linux devices. Swif uses RustDesk, an open-source remote desktop tool, so authorized Swif admins can start a remote support session from the Swif console.
When the policy is on, Swif installs RustDesk on the device automatically. RustDesk doesn't run all the time: it's started when you connect from Swif.
This policy manages only RustDesk as set up by Swif. It doesn't configure VNC, RDP, or other Linux remote desktop tools.
Requirements
Requirement | Details |
Platform | Linux desktops with a graphical interface, such as Ubuntu and Pop!_OS |
Device ownership | Company-owned and BYOD |
Swif agent | Installed and running |
Settings reference
Setting | Options |
Remote Desktop Enable | True: turns on RustDesk remote desktop access. False: blocks remote desktop access. Null: leaves the current setting unchanged. |
How RustDesk runs on Linux
Item | Details |
Installed at |
|
Background service | None. Swif doesn't register RustDesk as a systemd service, so |
Settings |
|
Logs |
|
RustDesk may also appear as a desktop app in the device's app menu.
Create the policy
In Swif, go to Device Management > Policies, then select Create new policy > Configure a Policy.
Select Linux Remote Desktop (RustDesk) Policy.
Set Remote Desktop Enable to True.
Click Continue.
Assign the policy to a device group of Linux devices.
Tip: Use device groups to give remote support only where it's needed. For example, turn it on for employee desktops, and leave it off for secure servers.
Connect to a Linux device
In Swif, open the device's details page.
Open the Remote Desktop dropdown, and select RustDesk.
When the status shows Configured, click Connect.
Swif shows the device's Connection ID and Password.
Open the RustDesk controller on your computer, and enter the connection ID and password.
Get the RustDesk controller. Team admins can download the RustDesk controller for macOS, Windows, and Linux from the Remote Desktop area in Swif.
Troubleshooting
The Remote Desktop status shows Not Configured
Check that a Linux Remote Desktop (RustDesk) Policy exists, with Remote Desktop Enable set to True.
Check that the policy is assigned to the device.
Check that the device has synced with Swif recently.
rustdesk.service isn't found on the device
This is expected. Swif doesn't run RustDesk as a background service. It's started when you connect from Swif.
RustDesk shows "Key Mismatch"
Collect these details, and send them to Swif support:
The RustDesk version. Open RustDesk from the device's app menu, and check its version.
RustDesk's settings and logs. Run this on the device to bundle them into one file:
tar czf rustdesk-support.tgz ~/.local/share/logs/RustDesk ~/.config/rustdesk
Send
rustdesk-support.tgzto support@swif.ai.
The settings files contain the device's RustDesk keys. Send them only to Swif support, and don't post them in public tickets or chats.
The connection doesn't start
Check that the device is online, and has synced with Swif.
Check that the device has a graphical desktop. RustDesk needs a GUI session to share the screen.
Check for other remote desktop tools on the device that could conflict with RustDesk.
Remote desktop is still available after I turned it off
Check that Remote Desktop Enable is set to False, not Null. Null leaves the device's current setting unchanged. Then wait for the device to sync with Swif.