Server 2016 Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration: A Comprehensive Guide for Dev

Welcome to this comprehensive guide on Server 2016 Remote Desktop Session Host configuration. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about configuring Remote Desktop Services (RDS) on Windows Server 2016, from setting up a Remote Desktop Session Host server to optimizing your RDS environment. Whether you are new to deploying RDS or are looking to fine-tune your existing deployment, this guide is for you.

What is Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH)?

Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH) is a role service in Windows Server that enables multiple concurrent user sessions on a server running Remote Desktop Services. With RDSH, users can run applications and work remotely, accessing resources on a centralized server. RDSH provides a cost-effective and scalable solution for businesses that need to provide remote access to applications and desktops.

How does RDSH work?

When a user connects to a Remote Desktop Session Host, they are redirected to a virtual machine running on the server. The virtual machine provides a dedicated operating system for each user session, isolating each session from other sessions running on the server. Users can access applications and data on the server as if they were running locally on their own computer.

The RDSH role service consists of several components, including Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), RemoteFX, and the Remote Desktop Connection Broker (RD Connection Broker). RDP is the protocol used to establish a remote connection to the server, while RemoteFX provides enhanced graphics and multimedia capabilities over the remote connection. The RD Connection Broker manages user sessions and load balances connections across multiple RDSH servers.

Why use RDSH?

RDSH provides several benefits for organizations that need to provide remote access to applications and desktops, including:

• Centralized management of applications and data
• Cost-effective solution for remote access
• Scalable to meet changing business needs
• Improved security for remote access

Setting up Remote Desktop Session Host on Server 2016

In this section, we will walk you through the process of setting up a Remote Desktop Session Host server on Windows Server 2016. Before you begin, ensure that you have installed the Remote Desktop Services role on your server.

Step 1: Configure Remote Desktop Session Host

To configure the Remote Desktop Session Host role service, follow these steps:

1. Open Server Manager and navigate to the Remote Desktop Services section.
2. Click on the Tasks drop-down and select Add Host to Collection.
3. Select the Remote Desktop Session Host server and click Next.
4. Follow the wizard to configure the Remote Desktop Session Host role service.

Step 2: Configure Remote Desktop Licensing

To enable Remote Desktop Services, you need to obtain and install Remote Desktop Services Client Access Licenses (RDS CALs) on your server. To configure licensing, follow these steps:

1. Open the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager from the Server Manager dashboard.
2. Click on the Action menu and select Activate Server.
3. Follow the wizard to activate your server and install RDS CALs.

Step 3: Configure Remote Desktop Gateway

To allow remote users to access your Remote Desktop Session Host server, you need to configure a Remote Desktop Gateway. To configure a gateway, follow these steps:

1. Open Server Manager and navigate to the Remote Desktop Services section.
2. Click on the Deployment Overview link.
3. Select the Edit Deployment Properties link.
4. Follow the wizard to configure the Remote Desktop Gateway.

Optimizing your RDS Environment

Now that you have set up your Remote Desktop Session Host server, it’s time to optimize your RDS environment for best performance and security. In this section, we will cover some best practices for configuring and managing your RDS environment.

Load Balancing RDSH Servers

If you have multiple RDSH servers, you can use load balancing to distribute the workload across the servers. Load balancing provides improved performance and enables you to scale your RDS environment as your business needs change. To set up load balancing, you can use the Remote Desktop Connection Broker (RD Connection Broker) role service.

Configuring User Profile Disks

User Profile Disks (UPDs) are virtual disks containing user profile data, including user settings, documents, and application data. UPDs provide a central location for storing user data and enable users to access their data from any RDSH server in the deployment. To configure UPDs, follow these steps:

1. Open Server Manager and navigate to the Remote Desktop Services section.
2. Click on the Deployment Overview link.
3. Select the Edit Deployment Properties link.
4. Under User Profile Disks, select the option to Use user profile disks for session collections.
5. Follow the wizard to configure user profile disks.

Implementing Remote Desktop Gateway Policies

Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway) policies provide an additional layer of security for your RDS environment. RD Gateway policies enable you to control access to your RDSH servers and prevent unauthorized access. To configure RD Gateway policies, follow these steps:

1. Open Server Manager and navigate to the Remote Desktop Services section.
2. Click on the RD Gateway Manager link.
3. Click on the Policies tab.
4. Follow the wizard to create and configure RD Gateway policies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Thank you for reading this comprehensive guide on Server 2016 Remote Desktop Session Host configuration. We hope that you have found this article informative and useful for your RDS deployment. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.