Hello,
I have two old PCs, from which I connect remotely to another PC running Windows 10. From one, where also runs Windows 10, I connect via VPN with Windows Remote Desktop. From the other, I always connect via VPN but with Ubuntu Remmina.
Since I have Windows 7 on the PC I use Ubuntu on and I haven’t been able to install Ubuntu, I connect via VPN with Remmina using Ubuntu Live from a USB stick. I have the impression that between the two solutions, the one with Remote Desktop from Windows 10 installed is faster than the one with Remmina from Ubuntu Live, because when I work on applications remotely, it’s often slow.
Is it possible that it’s because I’m using the Live version of Ubuntu? It’s true that it’s not installed, but after all, once I connect to the remote PC, that is the PC that works, so does the fact that I’m connecting with a version of Ubuntu Live that isn’t installed have anything to do with it?
I sum up:
Ubuntu Live Remmina –> Windows 10 slower
Windows 10 installed Remote Destop –> Windows 10 faster
An installed system is much faster than an uninstalled system.
The uninstalled Ubuntu system on live media will be within a squashfs or squashed file-system, meaning decompression maybe required when accessing the live media. That decompression step is removed by install process (for deb packages anyway). Further, changes made during the live session aren’t made to media itself as it’s read-only, but using a COW or Copy on Write method that is more involved and can include a performance hit.
Performance hits will vary on your actual hardware, older PCs can decompress at a much slower rate, which may mean installing takes slightly longer, but when its done many times (as can occur with a live system) its even more noticeable (how much RAM & other details can influence how big a hit too). I have had sessions where I don’t notice any COW of a live system, yet others times its easily detected; and I just resolve that myself by rebooting & starting the live session again (or switching to a different way of doing what I want to accomplish).
An installed system is just a much better option wherever possible.
note: I’ve not used remmina so I can’t speak to that; only that live systems are NOT the same as an installed system in most circumstances, esp. on older hardware!
Do you mean if it’s the same (slower) with other PCs on which I use Ubuntu Live?
I understand that Ubuntu without being installed can be slower, but what about in my case where I only use it to connect to a remote PC?
I’m connecting with Ubuntu Live not installed from an old PC with an i2 CPU and 4GB of RAM, but I have another one with an i7 CPU and 4GB of RAM. Would going from i2 to i7 make a difference in my case?
@Actionparsnip I suggest that your post means “Have you tried with other RDP clients other than Remmina on the Live USB system, and do they have the same speed / performance issues?”
As a recommended rewrite of your post so it’s clear what you’re asking.
Perhaps you can edit your post to be more clear like that wording and interpretation I recommended? (yes i left this post public)
There is no single best. If there was then nobody would use the other options. It’s like saying there is a best whiskey or best burger. It’s opinion. Nothing more. If they all exhibit the same behaviour then it’s the live session doing something. If it’s only Remmina then Remmina is at fault. There are other RDP clients. You should test that first then expand to AnyDesk etc. What are you doing on the remote system that needs the full desktop session? There may be a sleeker solution that means you don’t need RDP at all
Did you think about the hardware level? How are the two PCs you use for RDP connection via VPN connected to internet?
LAN? Wifi? If wifi - which type, which data rate, any interference? Differences between the two systems (connection, hardware, location, …)?
The PC I try to connect from (Ubuntu Live) is 4Gb RAM and CPU i3 by using Remmina, whereas the destination PC (Windows 10) is a Pentium Gold 3,80Ghz and 16Gb RAM
I’ll try by using KRDC as RDP Client and see if it’s faster. In that case, is it enough to run this on Ubuntu?
sudo apt install krdc
I also have another PC 6Gb RAM and CPU i7 and I’ll try always by using Ubuntu Live for connecting to the PC (Windows 10)