Sometimes, it can be useful to set up a server as a remote-desktop

instance. However, most server providers don't allow the default

setup of desktop versions of linux.

This guide will document how to take an Ubuntu Server install and

install a desktop environment and remote access tool.

First, ensure the packages are up to date:

```

sudo apt update && sudo apt -y dist-upgrade && sudo apt autoremove -y

```

Next, reboot the server to apply the new kernel version, if there

were any upgrades.

We will now install the Mate desktop environment, a lightweight desktop

well suited to remote access:

```

sudo apt install -y ubuntu-mate-desktop

```

Finally, install X2go, as documented HERE. TODO: add link

Alternatively, use the following user data script when you provision your

VM, assuming your provider supports them:

TODO: TEST THIS

```

#!/bin/bash

apt update &&

apt -y dist-upgrade &&

apt autoremove -y &&

apt install ubuntu-mate-desktop -y &&

apt-add-repository ppa:x2go/stable -y &&

apt install -y x2goserver x2goserver-xsession &&

apt install -y x2gomatebindings

```

Finally, you can SSH into your server, or use x2go to remotely access it's desktop.