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Remote Desktop (Parsec Alternative)

If you're coming from Windows, you might be used to Parsec for low-latency remote desktop access. On Linux, the equivalent setup is Sunshine (server) + Moonlight (client).

Overview​

  • Sunshine — An open-source game streaming server that runs on your Linux host PC. It captures your screen and streams it over the network.
  • Moonlight — An open-source client that connects to Sunshine from any device (phone, tablet, another PC, etc.).

Together, they give you a Parsec-like experience with low latency and high quality streaming.

Setting Up Sunshine​

  1. Install Sunshine on your host PC. On Nobara/Fedora, you can grab it from GitHub Releases
  2. Launch Sunshine and open its web UI (usually at https://localhost:47990).
  3. Create a username and password on first launch.

Enable UPnP (The Key Setting)​

By default, Sunshine only works on your local network. To use it as a proper Parsec replacement — accessible from anywhere without port forwarding:

  1. Go to the Network tab in Sunshine's web UI.
  2. Enable the UPnP checkbox (disabled by default).
  3. Save and restart Sunshine.

With UPnP enabled, Sunshine will automatically open the required ports on your router. You can then connect from anywhere using your public IP address — no manual port forwarding needed.

tip

Make sure UPnP is enabled on your router as well (most routers have it on by default).

Multi-Monitor Setup​

If you have multiple monitors, Sunshine defaults to capturing the first one, which may not be the one you want.

To set the correct monitor:

  1. Go to the Troubleshooting tab in Sunshine's web UI and find the display/output IDs listed there.
  2. Note the ID of the monitor you want to stream.
  3. Go to the Video tab and set the Output Name to that display ID.

Setting Up Moonlight​

  1. Install Moonlight on your client device from moonlight-stream.org (available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more).
  2. If on the same local network, Sunshine should appear automatically. Otherwise, add your host's public IP address manually.
  3. Pair the client with Sunshine using the PIN displayed in Moonlight (enter it in Sunshine's web UI).
  4. Once paired, you can stream your desktop or launch specific applications.