Using Jupyter Lab as a Lightweight Remote Desktop

Jupyter Lab isn't just for data scince - it's a powerful all-in-one environment offering:

• Programming (Python, R, etc.)
• Shell Access
• File Browser & Editor
• Plugins

All within your browser, without heavy windowing systems or VNC, making it a great alternative to traditional remote desktops!

Setup Instructions

Server Side

First, install Conda and set up a Conda environment.

Install Jupyter Lab

conda install -c conda-forge jupyterlab

Install kernels for Jupyter Lab:

Python (IPyKernel):

conda install -c conda-forge ipykernel

R (IRKernel):

conda install -c conda-forge r-irkernel

Launch Jupyter Lab and Make it accessible

Start a tmux session.

Start JupyterLab in it, listening on localhost, with no password/token:

jupyter lab --ip=127.0.0.1 --no-browser --NotebookApp.token='' --NotebookApp.password=''

Then open another tmux pane, set up push-pull-port, and push SSH port 22 to port $PUBLIC_PORT of remote public server $PUBLIC_HOST:

sh push-local-port.sh -l 22 -r $PUBLIC_PORT -u $PUBLIC_USER -h $PUBLIC_HOST 

Then detach from the tmux session.

Client Side

Set up push-pull-port.

Pull the remote port and forward it to your local 8888 port:

sh pull-remote-port.sh -r 8888 -l 8888 -u $PRIVATE_USER -h $PUBLIC_HOST -p $PUBLIC_PORT

Access in Browser: Open http://localhost:8888/lab.