How-To Guide

This guide will help you get started with basic controls and file transfers within your remote sessions.

Basic Remote Session Controls

Once connected to a remote desktop or server via Guacamole, you can control your session using your mouse and keyboard as usual. However, some special functions are accessed via the Guacamole sidebar.

Accessing the Guacamole Sidebar

• Press the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Alt + Shift
• Alternatively, if you're on a mobile device or prefer a visual cue, look for a small arrow or button usually located on the left side of the screen, near the middle. Clicking this will reveal the sidebar.

The sidebar provides access to various tools, including:

• Clipboard: For copying and pasting text between your local machine and the remote session.
• Keyboard: Access to special keys (like Ctrl, Alt, Delete) or a virtual keyboard.
• Settings: Adjust display quality, audio, and other session preferences.
• File Transfers: The focus of the next section!

File Transfers

Guacamole allows you to easily transfer files between your local machine and the remote desktop/server. Files are temporarily stored in your dedicated transfer directory on the Guacamole server.

Uploading Files to the Remote Session

1. While in your remote session, open the Guacamole sidebar (Ctrl + Alt + Shift).
2. Click on the "Files" tab (often represented by a folder icon).
3. You will see your personal file transfer directory (e.g., /file_transfer/your.username@domain.com).
4. To upload, simply drag and drop files from your local computer's file explorer directly into this "Files" panel in the Guacamole sidebar.
5. The files will be uploaded to your personal directory on the Guacamole server.
6. From the remote desktop/server, you can then access these files:
   • For RDP (Windows): The shared drive will appear as a network drive (e.g., "Guacamole Drive" or a drive letter like R:). Navigate to your user-specific folder within this drive.
   • For SSH (Linux): The files will be available in the directory you configured (e.g., /file_transfer/your.username@domain.com) on the Guacamole server. You may need to use SSH commands (scp, sftp) or a graphical SFTP client from your remote Linux server to pull them from there.

Downloading Files from the Remote Session

1. To download a file from the remote session to your local computer, first ensure the file is placed within the shared drive/SFTP directory on the remote side.
2. Open the Guacamole sidebar (Ctrl + Alt + Shift).
3. Click on the "Files" tab.
4. You will see the files present in your personal transfer directory on the Guacamole server.
5. To download, simply drag the file from this panel in the Guacamole sidebar to your local computer's desktop or file explorer.