Welcome, Dev, to this comprehensive guide on configuring Remote Desktop Session Host on Server 2019. In today’s world where remote work is becoming increasingly popular, this guide will help you set up a stable Remote Desktop Session Host environment that is both secure and reliable.
Introduction
Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is a feature in Windows Server that enables users to remotely access desktops and applications. Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH) is one of the server roles included in RDS, which allows multiple users to access the desktop or application installed on a single server. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps of configuring RDSH on Windows Server 2019.
Overview of RDSH Configuration
Before we dive into the details, let’s first take a look at the high-level steps involved in configuring RDSH on Server 2019:
Step |
Description |
|---|---|
Step 1 |
Install the RDSH role on the server |
Step 2 |
Configure the RDSH settings |
Step 3 |
Create a Remote Desktop Session Collection |
Step 4 |
Configure Remote Desktop Licensing |
Step 5 |
Configure Remote Desktop Gateway |
We’ll now look at each of these steps in detail.
Step 1: Installing the RDSH Role on the Server
The first step in configuring RDSH is to install the RDSH role on the server. Follow these steps to do so:
Step 1.1: Open Server Manager
To open Server Manager in Windows Server 2019, follow these steps:
Step 1.1.1: Open the Start Menu
Click on the Start button on the bottom left of the screen.
Step 1.1.2: Open Server Manager
Click on the Server Manager icon on the Start Menu, or search for it in the search bar.
Step 1.2: Add the RDSH Role
Once you have opened Server Manager, follow these steps to add the RDSH role:
Step 1.2.1: Click on “Add roles and features”
Click on the “Add roles and features” link on the main page of Server Manager.
Step 1.2.2: Click “Next”
Click “Next” on the Before You Begin page.
Step 1.2.3: Select “Remote Desktop Services installation”
Select the “Remote Desktop Services installation” option on the Installation Type page, and click “Next”.
Step 1.2.4: Select “Standard deployment”
Select the “Standard deployment” option on the Deployment Type page, and click “Next”.
Step 1.2.5: Select “Session-based desktop deployment”
Select the “Session-based desktop deployment” option on the Deployment Scenario page, and click “Next”.
Step 1.2.6: Select “Remote Desktop Session Host”
Select the “Remote Desktop Session Host” option on the Role Services page, and click “Next”.
Step 1.2.7: Review the installation summary and click “Install”
Review the installation summary, and click “Install” to begin the installation process.
Step 1.3: Reboot the Server
Once the installation is complete, reboot the server to ensure that all changes are applied correctly.
Step 2: Configuring the RDSH Settings
After installing the RDSH role, the next step is to configure the RDSH settings. Follow these steps to do so:
Step 2.1: Open “Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration”
To open the “Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration” window, follow these steps:
Step 2.1.1: Open the Start Menu
Click on the Start button on the bottom left of the screen.
Step 2.1.2: Search for “Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration”
Type “Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration” in the search bar, and click on the corresponding result.
Step 2.2: Configure the RDSH Settings
Once you have opened the “Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration” window, follow these steps to configure the RDSH settings:
Step 2.2.1: Select licensing mode
Click on the “Licensing” tab, and select the appropriate licensing mode for your environment. The two options are “Per Device” and “Per User”.
Step 2.2.2: Configure security settings
Click on the “Security” tab, and configure the security settings as per your organizational requirements.
Step 2.2.3: Configure connection settings
Click on the “Connections” tab, and configure the connection settings as per your organizational requirements.
Step 2.2.4: Configure session settings
Click on the “Sessions” tab, and configure the session settings as per your organizational requirements.
Step 2.3: Apply the changes
Once you have configured the RDSH settings, click on “Apply” to apply the changes.
Step 3: Creating a Remote Desktop Session Collection
After configuring the RDSH settings, the next step is to create a Remote Desktop Session Collection. Follow these steps to do so:
Step 3.1: Open “Server Manager”
To open “Server Manager”, follow these steps:
Step 3.1.1: Open the Start Menu
Click on the Start button on the bottom left of the screen.
Step 3.1.2: Search for “Server Manager”
Type “Server Manager” in the search bar, and click on the corresponding result.
Step 3.2: Click on “Remote Desktop Services”
Once you have opened “Server Manager”, click on “Remote Desktop Services” on the left-hand side of the window.
Step 3.3: Click on “Collections”
Click on “Collections” on the right-hand side of the window.
Step 3.4: Click on “Create Session Collection”
Click on “Create Session Collection” on the right-hand side of the window.
Step 3.5: Configure the Session Collection
Once you have clicked on “Create Session Collection”, follow these steps to configure the session collection:
Step 3.5.1: Name the session collection
Provide a name for the session collection, and click “Next”.
Step 3.5.2: Select the RDSH servers
Select the RDSH servers you want to include in the session collection, and click “Next”.
Step 3.5.3: Configure user groups
Select the user groups that will have access to the session collection, and click “Next”.
Step 3.5.4: Configure user profile disks (optional)
If you want to use user profile disks to store user profiles, configure the necessary settings, and click “Next”. Otherwise, click “Next” without making any changes.
Step 3.5.5: Review the summary and click “Create”
Review the summary of the session collection configuration, and click “Create” to create the session collection.
Step 4: Configuring Remote Desktop Licensing
After creating the Remote Desktop Session Collection, the next step is to configure Remote Desktop Licensing. Follow these steps to do so:
Step 4.1: Activate Remote Desktop Licensing
The first step in configuring Remote Desktop Licensing is to activate it. Follow these steps to activate Remote Desktop Licensing:
Step 4.1.1: Open “Server Manager”
Open “Server Manager” as described in Step 3.1 above.
Step 4.1.2: Click on “Remote Desktop Services”
Click on “Remote Desktop Services” as described in Step 3.2 above.
Step 4.1.3: Click on “RD Licensing”
Click on “RD Licensing” on the right-hand side of the window.
Step 4.1.4: Click on “Activate”
Click on “Activate” on the right-hand side of the window.
Step 4.1.5: Enter the product key and complete the activation process
Enter the product key for your Remote Desktop Licensing server, and complete the activation process.
Step 4.2: Install Remote Desktop CALs
The next step is to install Remote Desktop Client Access Licenses (CALs). Follow these steps to install Remote Desktop CALs:
Step 4.2.1: Open “Server Manager”
Open “Server Manager” as described in Step 3.1 above.
Step 4.2.2: Click on “Remote Desktop Services”
Click on “Remote Desktop Services” as described in Step 3.2 above.
Step 4.2.3: Click on “RD Licensing”
Click on “RD Licensing” on the right-hand side of the window.
Step 4.2.4: Click on “Add CALs”
Click on “Add CALs” on the right-hand side of the window.
Step 4.2.5: Select the license program and purchase method
Select the license program and purchase method for your Remote Desktop CALs, and click “Next”.
Step 4.2.6: Enter the license agreement number and authorization number
Enter the license agreement number and authorization number for your Remote Desktop CALs, and click “Next”.
Step 4.2.7: Review the summary and click “Finish”
Review the summary of the Remote Desktop CALs installation, and click “Finish” to complete the installation process.
Step 5: Configuring Remote Desktop Gateway
The final step in configuring RDSH is to configure Remote Desktop Gateway. Follow these steps to do so:
Step 5.1: Install the Remote Desktop Gateway Role
The first step in configuring Remote Desktop Gateway is to install the Remote Desktop Gateway role. Follow these steps to do so:
Step 5.1.1: Open “Server Manager”
Open “Server Manager” as described in Step 3.1 above.
Step 5.1.2: Click on “Add roles and features”
Click on “Add roles and features” as described in Step 1.2.1 above.
Step 5.1.3: Select “Remote Desktop Services installation”
Select “Remote Desktop Services installation” as described in Step 1.2.3 above.
Step 5.1.4: Select “Standard deployment”
Select “Standard deployment” as described in Step 1.2.4 above.
Step 5.1.5: Select “Remote Desktop Gateway”
Select “Remote Desktop Gateway” on the Role Services page, and click “Next”.
Step 5.1.6: Review the installation summary and click “Install”
Review the installation summary, and click “Install” to begin the installation process.
Step 5.2: Configure Remote Desktop Gateway
After installing the Remote Desktop Gateway role, the next step is to configure Remote Desktop Gateway. Follow these steps to do so:
Step 5.2.1: Open “Remote Desktop Gateway Manager”
Type “Remote Desktop Gateway Manager” in the search bar, and click on the corresponding result.
Step 5.2.2: Click on “Create New Authorization Policy”
Click on “Create New Authorization Policy” on the right-hand side of the window.
Step 5.2.3: Configure the Authorization Policy
Configure the authorization policy as per your organizational requirements.
Step 5.2.4: Click on “Create New Connection Authorization Policy”
Click on “Create New Connection Authorization Policy” on the right-hand side of the window.
Step 5.2.5: Configure the Connection Authorization Policy
Configure the connection authorization policy as per your organizational requirements.
Step 5.2.6: Test the Remote Desktop Gateway connection
Test the Remote Desktop Gateway connection to ensure that it is working as expected.
FAQ
What is Remote Desktop Services?
Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is a feature in Windows Server that enables users to remotely access desktops and applications.
What is Remote Desktop Session Host?
Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH) is one of the server roles included in RDS, which allows multiple users to access the desktop or application installed on a single server.
What is Remote Desktop Gateway?
Remote Desktop Gateway is a role service in RDS that enables authorized remote users to connect to resources on an internal corporate or private network, from any internet-connected device.
What is a Remote Desktop CAL?
A Remote Desktop Client Access License (CAL) is a license that gives a user the right to access remote desktop services on a Windows Server.
What are the different licensing modes for Remote Desktop Services?
The two licensing modes for Remote Desktop Services are “Per Device” and “Per User”.
Conclusion
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should now have a stable and secure Remote Desktop Session Host environment configured on Server 2019, with Remote Desktop Gateway enabled to allow authorized users to connect remotely from any internet-connected device.