RustDesk Server with Docker

Version: 25.6.01

RustDesk is a free, open-source remote desktop tool — similar to TeamViewer or AnyDesk — that allows secure remote access and support between devices. Unlike proprietary solutions, RustDesk allows you to host your own server, giving you full privacy and data control.

🔍 What is RustDesk?

• Cross-platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
• End-to-end encrypted
• Uses a public server by default – but can also be self-hosted
• Written in Rust, making it fast and resource-efficient

🛠️ Everyday Use Cases

• Remote support for family PCs (e.g., helping grandparents with computer issues)
• IT support in companies – without expensive license models
• Accessing your own PC while on the go
• Self-hosted control over privacy and security
• Managing and developing servers via GUI access

✅ Advantages over Commercial Solutions

RustDesk	Commercial Providers
Open Source	Closed Source
Self-hosted Server	Provider-hosted Cloud
Free to Use	License Fees
No Account Required	Registration Required

🔧 Requirements

• A Linux server or VPS (Ubuntu recommended)
• Docker & Docker Compose installed
• A public IP
• Open ports: 21115–21119 TCP and 21115+21116 UDP

We start and log in to the server:

ssh Username@Server-IP

Navigate to your Docker project folder, which in my case is located under /home/.

cd /home/

A folder named “rustdesk” is created:

mkdir rustdesk

And then navigated into:

cd rustdesk

📁 Now let’s focus on the RustDesk server and create the following file inside the /home/rustdesk folder:

nano docker-compose.yml

We insert the following content into the file and save it:

version: '3.8'

services:
  hbbs:
    image: rustdesk/rustdesk-server:latest
    container_name: rustdesk-hbbs
    restart: always
    volumes:
      - ./data:/root
    command: hbbs -r VPS-IP:21117
    ports:
      - "21115:21115/udp"
      - "21115:21115/tcp"
      - "21116:21116/udp"
      - "21116:21116/tcp"

  hbbr:
    image: rustdesk/rustdesk-server:latest
    container_name: rustdesk-hbbr
    restart: always
    volumes:
      - ./data:/root
    command: hbbr
    ports:
      - "21117:21117/tcp"
      - "21118:21118/tcp"
      - "21119:21119/tcp"

⚠️ IMPORTANT: VPS-IP = This is the IP address of your VPS server. Make sure to replace it accordingly.

We start the RustDesk server with:

docker compose up -d

Now let’s take a look at the public key:

cd /home/rustdesk/data

After that:

nano id_ed25519.pub

We now see the public key in the file, which the clients need in order to connect to the RustDesk server:

Firewall settings:
Ports 21115 to 21119 are opened for TCP.
Additionally, ports 21115 and 21116 are also opened for UDP.

✅ What have we accomplished in this tutorial?

• Set up your own RustDesk server for remote support (Client software: https://rustdesk.com)
• Secured with end-to-end encryption
• Configured the firewall to allow required ports (on your VPS or via UFW)

All done! 😊

---

bc1q8dxp9mlt3mkvaklu2vn8j6jteqyv53kschc90v

Lightning: itsc@strike.me