Windows Server 2012 R2 Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration

Hello Dev, welcome to this journal article that will guide you through the configuration of the Remote Desktop Session Host on your Windows Server 2012 R2. In this article, we will cover 20 consecutive headings to help you better understand how to configure this important feature. Let’s get started!

Understanding the Remote Desktop Session Host

The Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH) is a role service in Windows Server that allows multiple concurrent user sessions on a single machine. This feature provides users with a virtual desktop environment that they can access from anywhere. With RDSH, users can access their applications, files, and even desktops from a remote location.

To ensure that RDSH is configured properly, it is important to follow the steps outlined in this article carefully. Doing so will help you get the most out of this feature and ensure that your users have a seamless experience when working remotely.

Preparing Your Environment for RDSH

Before you can start configuring RDSH, it is important to make sure that your environment is properly prepared. This includes installing any necessary software, configuring network settings, and ensuring that your server has enough resources to support multiple user sessions.

Installing RDSH

The first step in configuring RDSH is to install the role service on your Windows Server 2012 R2. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Server Manager and click on Add Roles and Features.
2. Select Remote Desktop Services as the role to install.
3. Select the role service Remote Desktop Session Host and click Next.
4. Follow the wizard to complete the installation.

Once the installation is complete, you are ready to start configuring RDSH.

Configuring Network Settings

Before you can use RDSH, it is important to make sure that your server is properly configured to allow remote connections. This includes opening the necessary ports and configuring network settings.

To configure network settings for RDSH, follow these steps:

1. Open the Control Panel and click on System and Security.
2. Click on Allow remote access under the System section.
3. Select Allow remote connections to this computer.
4. Click on Select Users and add the users who will be allowed to access the server remotely.
5. Click OK to save your changes.

Ensuring Resource Availability

One of the most important factors in ensuring a seamless RDSH experience is making sure that your server has enough resources to support multiple user sessions. This includes ensuring that your server has enough RAM, CPU, and disk space to handle the workload.

To ensure that your server has enough resources for RDSH, follow these steps:

1. Open the Task Manager and click on the Performance tab.
2. Check the CPU and Memory usage to ensure that your server has enough resources available.
3. If necessary, consider upgrading your server’s hardware to ensure that it has enough resources to support RDSH.

Configuring RDSH

Now that your environment is properly prepared, you can start configuring RDSH. This includes setting up user sessions, configuring security settings, and more.

Setting Up User Sessions

The first step in configuring RDSH is to set up user sessions. These sessions allow multiple users to access the same machine simultaneously.

To set up user sessions, follow these steps:

1. Open the Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration tool.
2. Click on Connections and select RDP-Tcp.
3. Click on the General tab and verify that Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication is selected.
4. Click on the Sessions tab and select Override user settings.
5. Configure the settings to match your needs and click OK to save your changes.

Configuring Security Settings

In addition to setting up user sessions, it is important to configure the security settings for RDSH. This ensures that your environment is protected from unauthorized access.

To configure security settings for RDSH, follow these steps:

1. Open the Group Policy Management Console.
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Security.
3. Configure the settings to match your needs and click OK to save your changes.

Configuring Licensing

If you plan to use RDSH in a production environment, it is important to configure licensing. This ensures that you are compliant with Microsoft’s licensing requirements.

To configure licensing for RDSH, follow these steps:

1. Open the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.
2. Click on Activate Server and follow the wizard to activate your server.
3. Configure the licensing settings to match your needs and click OK to save your changes.

FAQ