Run Self-Hosted Desktop as a Service with Kasm Workspaces in Docker 🌱

What is Kasm Workspaces?

Kasm Workspaces is a docker container streaming platform that enables you to deliver browser-based access to desktops, applications, and web services. Kasm uses a modern DevOps approach for programmatic delivery of services via Containerized Desktop Infrastructure (CDI) technology to create on-demand, disposable, docker containers that are accessible via web browser. -https://github.com/kasmtech/workspaces-core-images

Installing Docker

  1. Log into the Linux based device
  2. Run the following commands in the terminal
    # install prerequisites
    sudo apt install apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl software-properties-common gnupg-agent -y
    # add docker gpg key
    curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/$(awk -F'=' '/^ID=/{ print $NF }' /etc/os-release)/gpg | sudo apt-key add -
    # add docker software repository
    sudo add-apt-repository "deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture)] https://download.docker.com/linux/$(awk -F'=' '/^ID=/{ print $NF }' /etc/os-release) $(lsb_release -cs) stable"
    # install docker
    sudo apt install docker-ce docker-compose containerd.io -y
    # enable and start docker service
    sudo systemctl enable docker && sudo systemctl start docker
    # add the current user to the docker group
    sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
    # reauthenticate for the new group membership to take effect
    su - $USER

Deploying Kasm Workspaces [Simple Method]

This is the recommended installation method, but requires the most disk space. I choose to be more selective about the Kasm images running, so I use the second installation option outlined later on.

  1. Continue with the following commands in a terminal window
    # change directory to /tmp
    cd /tmp
    # download the latest kasm workspaces release
    curl -O https://kasm-static-content.s3.amazonaws.com/kasm_release_1.11.0.18142e.tar.gz
    # extract the downloaded tar.gz
    tar -xf kasm_release*.tar.gz
    # execute the installation script
    sudo bash kasm_release/install.sh
  2. Take note of the credentials displayed in the output
  3. Open a web browser and navigate to https://DNSorIP
  4. Log in using username admin@kasm.local and the password found in the installation output

Deploying Kasm Workspaces [Selective Method]

This method can use far less disk space, but requires more time and setup to add Kasm images manually. I only add the Kasm images I use regularly.

  1. Continue with the following commands in a terminal window
    # change directory to /tmp
    cd /tmp
    # download the latest kasm workspaces release
    curl -O https://kasm-static-content.s3.amazonaws.com/kasm_release_1.11.0.18142e.tar.gz
    # extract the downloaded tar.gz
    tar -xf kasm_release*.tar.gz
    # execute the installation script
    # installing only the core images
    # and setting a custom https port
    sudo bash kasm_release/install.sh -I -L 8443
  2. Take note of the credentials displayed in the output
  3. Open a web browser and navigate to https://DNSorIP:8443
  4. Log in using username admin@kasm.local and the password found in the installation output

Adding Kasm Desktop/Application Images

  1. Navigate to https://hub.docker.com/u/kasmweb to view the available Kasm images
  2. Select Admin at the top of the Kasm web UI
  3. Select Images from the left navigation menu
  4. Click the Add Image button
  5. Complete the Add Image form as follows (Adding Brave Browser in this example)

    Docker Image: kasmweb/brave:1.11.0-rolling
    Description: Brave Browser
    Friendly Name: Brave Browser
    Thumbnail URL: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Brave_lion_icon.svg/654px-Brave_lion_icon.svg.png
    Cores: 1
    Memory (MB): 1024
    GPU Count: 0
    Docker Registry: hub.docker.com
    Persistent Profile Path: /home/{username}/brave

  6. Scroll to the bottom of the form and click the Submit button
  7. Click Workspaces at the top of the Kasm web UI
  8. Click the new image > Click Launch Session

Documentation: https://kasmweb.com/docs/latest/index.html

Source: https://kasmweb.com/docs/latest/install/single_server_install.html