Custom OS Template (Linux)

While DaDesktop supports a wide range of popular Linux distributions, there may be instances where a specific, currently unavailable distribution is required. We are pleased to assist with most mainline Linux distributions. To proceed, please provide the download link for the ISO file and specify the server where you wish to deploy the Custom OS template.

Important:

Regarding Disk Partitioning
1. Customized templates must utilize either a single disk partition or a dual-partition layout consisting of an EFI/Boot partition and a system/data partition.
2. LVM (Logical Volume Manager) partitions are not supported; therefore, please avoid using LVM.
3. An incorrect partition scheme will result in failures of disk auto-resize and related functionalities.

Linux Template

Once the ISO file has been downloaded to the server, it will be accessible under Admin Menu->OS IMAGES->ISO FILES within your account dashboard.

You can then create the template via Admin Menu->OS IMAGES->CUSTOM OS TEMPLATES.

Please adhere strictly to this guide and complete all steps. Failure to do so may prevent full DaDesktop functionality.

Install the operating system
Configure the default username as "student" and the password as "student".
Enable Auto Login for the "student" account.
Apply the DaDesktop wallpaper or your custom brand wallpaper.
Many distributions now default to Wayland as the display driver. Although compatible with DaDesktop, we currently recommend reverting to X11 for optimal performance.

To disable Wayland, please follow these steps:

Edit the file /etc/gdm/custom.conf. For example:
```
# Uncomment the line below to force the login screen to use Xorg
        WaylandEnable=false
        
```
Log out and log back in to apply changes.
Install spice-vdagent. Using your distribution's package manager is the recommended approach. Note that this component may already be present depending on the distribution.
- Upon successful installation, restart the machine. You should observe two active processes: spice-vdagent and spice-vdagentd.
Install qemu-guest-agent using your preferred package manager.
Install X11VNC. Note: On certain distributions, you may need to enable additional repositories, such as the 'epel' repository for Red Hat-based systems like Oracle Linux or Rocky Linux.

Configure X11VNC.

Verify that X11VNC is installed.
Execute the command sudo -i to access the root shell.

Run the following command to enable X11VNC to start automatically upon reboot.

cat > /etc/xdg/autostart/x11vnc.desktop <<EOF
                [Desktop Entry]
                Type=Application
                Exec=/usr/bin/x11vnc -N -no6 -rfbportv6 -1 -allow 10.0.3.1 -nopw -shared -alwaysshared -forever -repeat -nowireframe -noscr -nocursorshape -skip_lockkeys -cursor_drag -grab_buster -deferupdate 10 -speeds 6000,5000,20 -afteraccept announce-vnc-users.sh -gone announce-vnc-users.sh
                Hidden=false
                X-MATE-Autostart-enabled=true
                X-MATE-AutoRestart=true
                Name[en_US]=X11VNC
                Name=X11VNC
                Comment[en_US]=Share desktop over VNC
                Comment=Share desktop over VNC
                EOF

Create the desktop notification script by executing the commands below.

cat > /usr/local/bin/announce-vnc-users.sh <<EOF
        notify-send -a x11vnc "VNC users connected: $RFB_CLIENT_COUNT"
        EOF
        chmod +x /usr/local/bin/announce-vnc-users.sh

Reboot the system.
Review firewall settings to ensure TCP port 5900 is open. For example, use:

ss -pntl
Disable the sudo password prompt (recommended).
Validate the configuration.

Upon connection, if the URL updates to include a token query parameter, the setup is successful, indicating X11VNC is operational. Additionally, the copy/paste functionality between your local desktop and the virtual desktop, managed via the text box at the bottom left, should now be functional.

Please Note

To enable additional optional features, such as:

DDWebdav, which allows Trainer content folders to synchronize across participant machines;
or DDUpload, for streamlined file uploads within a DaDesktop environment;

Please reach out to DaDesktop Tech Support.