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In this tutorial, you will learn how to:
  • Perform a local graphical login on a CentOS VM
  • Connect remotely via Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
  • Access the shell in text mode using SSH

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Table of Contents

  1. Local Graphical Login on CentOS
  2. Remote Graphical Login via RDP
  3. Text-Mode Login via SSH
  4. Summary and References

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Local Graphical Login on CentOS

First, verify that your CentOS VM is set to boot into the graphical target with GNOME installed: 
sudo dnf groupinstall "Server with GUI"
sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target
sudo reboot
If the VM defaults to text mode, start the graphical login with sudo systemctl start gdm or install the necessary GNOME packages.
Once the GNOME login screen appears:
  1. Select your username.
  2. Enter your password.
  3. Click Sign In.
After GNOME loads, use the top-right menu to log out and prepare for the remote login demonstration.

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Remote Graphical Login via RDP

To enable RDP access on a CentOS server, install and configure the xrdp service: 
sudo dnf install xrdp
sudo systemctl enable --now xrdp
sudo firewall-cmd --add-service=rdp --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --reload
Exposing RDP (port 3389) on public networks may introduce security vulnerabilities. Use a VPN or SSH tunnel when possible.
Next, open your preferred RDP client (e.g., Microsoft Remote Desktop) and enter the server’s IP address:
  1. Launch the RDP client application.
  2. Input the IP address (for example, 192.168.0.18) and click Connect.
  3. At the login prompt, the username field may auto-fill with student. Enter the password and proceed.
The image shows a login screen for a remote desktop session with fields for session type, username, and password. The background is teal, and there's a logo with the text "Just connecting."
Once authenticated, verify the connection by checking the IP address in the RDP window’s title bar. Then, navigate to Activities → GNOME Terminal to open a terminal session.
The image shows a computer desktop with a dark-themed terminal window open, set against a blue geometric patterned wallpaper.

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Text-Mode Login via SSH

From the GNOME Terminal in the RDP session, initiate an SSH connection to your CentOS VM at 192.168.0.17 with the aaron account: 
[student@LFCS-CentOS2 ~]$ ssh [email protected]
[email protected]'s password: 
Activate the web console with: systemctl enable --now cockpit.socket

Last login: Tue Oct 19 04:22:38 2021
[aaron@LFCS-CentOS ~]$ exit
logout
Connection to 192.168.0.17 closed.
[student@LFCS-CentOS2 ~]$
When finished, close the terminal emulator and end your RDP session.

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Summary and References

This lesson covered three login methods for CentOS:
Login MethodDescriptionHow to Access
Local GUIGNOME desktop on local VMSelect user → Enter password
Remote GUI (RDP)GNOME desktop via RDP clientUse RDP client → Connect → Login
SSH Text ModeCommand-line interface over SSHssh user@host
Further reading:

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