Install and Configure a Self-Hosted RustDesk Server

Install RustDesk Server (Hbbs & Hbbr)

RustDesk has two main components:

• Hbbs (ID Server)
• Hbbr (Relay Server)

🔹 On Ubuntu / Debian

1️⃣ Update your system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

2️⃣ Download RustDesk Server binaries:

wget <https://github.com/rustdesk/rustdesk/releases/latest/download/rustdesk-server-linux-amd64.zip>

3️⃣ Extract the files:

sudo apt install unzip -y
unzip rustdesk-server-linux-amd64.zip
cd rustdesk-server-linux-amd64

4️⃣ Start the RustDesk server:

sudo ./hbbs &
sudo ./hbbr &

🔹 On Windows Server

1️⃣ Download RustDesk Server from GitHub: https://github.com/rustdesk/rustdesk/releases

2️⃣ Extract the ZIP file to C:\\RustDesk-Server

3️⃣ Open PowerShell as Administrator and navigate to the folder:

cd C:\\RustDesk-Server

4️⃣ Run the ID Server (Hbbs) and Relay Server (Hbbr):

./hbbs.exe
./hbbr.exe

Step 3: Configure Firewall Rules

For RustDesk to function properly, allow these ports:

• UDP & TCP 21115-21119 (ID Server and Relay)

Ubuntu/Linux:

sudo ufw allow 21115:21119/tcp
sudo ufw allow 21115:21119/udp
sudo ufw enable

Windows Server:

New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "RustDesk Ports" -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 21115-21119 -Action Allow
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "RustDesk Ports" -Direction Inbound -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 21115-21119 -Action Allow

Step 4: Configure RustDesk Clients to Use Your Server

To use your self-hosted server, configure RustDesk clients manually:

1. Open RustDesk
2. Go to Settings > Network
3. Enter your Server IP in the ID Server and Relay Server fields
4. Click OK

Alternatively, deploy RustDesk with the correct config automatically:

• Windows:

msiexec /i rustdesk.msi ID_SERVER=your_server_ip RELAY_SERVER=your_server_ip /qn

• Linux:

echo -e "[network]\\nid_server=your_server_ip
relay_server=your_server_ip" > ~/.config/rustdesk/RustDesk.toml

Troubleshooting & Common Issues

❌ RustDesk Clients Cannot Connect

✅ Check if the server is running:

ps aux | grep hbbs
ps aux | grep hbbr

If not running, restart them.

✅ Check if firewall ports are open:

sudo ufw status

Ensure ports 21115-21119 are allowed.

✅ Verify server logs:

tail -f /var/log/syslog

❌ RustDesk Clients Show Wrong ID

✅ Ensure clients are set to your correct server IP.

❌ RustDesk Disconnects Frequently

✅ Use a stable internet connection and ensure no double NAT or VPN issues.

Conclusion

Setting up a self-hosted RustDesk server enhances security and privacy by giving you full control over remote access. Once configured, you can mass-deploy it across your organization, ensuring all users connect through your private server.

Happy remote accessing! 🚀