Base
Hardened build
minimal ports, security patches applied at build time
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS GNOME Desktop
Azure
Operating Systems
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS with the GNOME desktop, reached over RDP: no default password, remote desktop switched off until you turn it on, and a per VM RDP credential generated at first boot.
Overview
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS GNOME Desktop is Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS with Ubuntu's own GNOME desktop added from the main archive, together with GNOME Remote Desktop set up for remote login. You connect with any RDP client, the GNOME login screen appears, and you sign in to a full desktop session running on the virtual machine, with Files, Terminal, Text Editor, System Monitor and Settings ready to use. It suits cloud workstations for Linux development, graphical administration and data tools that should run close to your cloud resources, training labs, and a secure jump desktop reached only through an SSH tunnel. Networking, provisioning and updates work exactly as on Ubuntu Server, and anything else you need installs with apt.
Why the cloudimg image
cloudimg builds the desktop so that a new machine exposes nothing but SSH. Remote desktop ships switched off, no account has a password, and the RDP server cannot be enabled until you have set your own. At first boot each machine generates its own RDP credential and its own TLS certificate, readable by root only, so nothing is shared between machines or baked into the image. A single helper command shows the remote desktop state, turns it on and off and prints the credential. The image keeps the Azure networking stack of Ubuntu Server and the GNOME remote login path is proven end to end on every build, from the RDP client through the login screen to a working desktop. It is fully patched at build time, unattended security updates are armed, SSH stays key only, and the image comes with a tested deployment guide and 24/7 support.
Common uses
- Cloud Linux workstations with a full GNOME desktop reachable from any RDP client
- Graphical administration and data tools running close to your cloud resources
- Training labs and secure jump desktops reached only through an SSH tunnel
See it running
Real screenshots taken while testing this image against its deployment guide.
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