I recently upgraded my laptop to 32GB of RAM after the old 8GB stick failed. Originally, I was planning to install different Linux distros to see which one I like best, but now that I have this much RAM, I'm considering installing Proxmox and running multiple VMs (each with a different Linux distro). I have two questions: First, is it a crazy idea to use Proxmox on my laptop? It's not the fastest machine with an i5-7300U (only 2 cores), but since I'm only testing distros and the other VMs will be idling, it should be okay, right? Second, how can I remotely access these Linux VMs to have a full desktop experience? I'm pretty new to Linux but familiar with Windows and its remote access through RDP, which I love for its full desktop features, including sound. Back in the day, I dabbled with VNC but wasn't a fan. I usually use MRemoteNG to manage my Windows VMs, and I'd love to find something similar for Linux.
3 Answers
You might want to try Gnome Remote Desktop if your server is running a Gnome Desktop. I usually use Remmina as a client - it’s decent, if not perfect. I had some resolution issues with NoMachine, so that’s why I don’t recommend it as much.
Have you considered using virt-manager instead of Proxmox? You can set up a familiar distro and add virt-manager, which is quite similar. It makes it easier to connect directly to your VMs, and you wouldn't have to deal with setting up a desktop environment on Proxmox. Plus, there are options like VNC, SPICE, or even something like RustDesk.
I haven’t really used any distros yet, so I want to dive in deeper. I’m also trying to see if Proxmox is a good fit for me, especially since I’ve used Hyper-V for so long. I'd love to check out RustDesk and Sunshine too!
If you're looking for graphical access, I personally use NX NoMachine. It’s been reliable for me over the years, and since it works so well, I haven't felt the need to try other options. I once did something similar on an Acer laptop with Xen as a hypervisor, running multiple OSs, so I think you'll be fine CPU-wise since you're just testing.
Thanks for the suggestion! I really appreciate it. Honestly, the resolution issues with NoMachine remind me why I’m such a fan of RDP on Windows, which has been solid for years!