Windows Server 2016 Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration

Hello Dev, welcome to this journal article about configuring Remote Desktop Session Host on Windows Server 2016. In this article, we will discuss the steps involved in setting up Remote Desktop Services, configuring Remote Desktop Session Host, and other relevant topics. If you’re new to this, don’t worry! We will be starting from the basics.

Understanding Remote Desktop Services

Before we dive deep into the configuration process, let’s first understand what Remote Desktop Services (RDS) actually are. RDS is a feature in Windows Server that allows users to access virtual desktops or applications over a network connection. This feature is particularly useful for organizations with remote workers or those that require a centralized desktop environment.

With RDS, users can securely access their desktops or applications from any device, anywhere in the world. This not only increases productivity but also helps organizations save on hardware costs.

Table 1: Benefits of Remote Desktop Services

Benefit	Description
Increased productivity	Allows users to work from anywhere, anytime
Cost savings	Reduces the need for expensive hardware
Improved security	All connections are encrypted, reducing the risk of data theft

Now that we have a basic understanding of RDS, let’s move on to the configuration process.

Setting up Remote Desktop Services

The first step in configuring Remote Desktop Session Host is to set up Remote Desktop Services. Follow the steps below:

Step 1: Install Remote Desktop Services

Open Server Manager and select Add roles and features. Select Remote Desktop Services installation, and click Next until you get to the Role Services page. Select Remote Desktop Session Host, and click Next until you reach the Confirmation page. Finally, click Install.

Step 2: Configure Remote Desktop Services

Once Remote Desktop Services installation is complete, open the Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration tool. Go to Server Manager > Remote Desktop Services > Session Host Configuration.

Here, you can configure various settings, such as session timeout, user access, and more. Let’s take a look at some of these settings:

Configuring Remote Desktop Session Host

The Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration tool is your go-to tool for customizing session host settings. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Configure Remote Desktop Session Host settings

Open the Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration tool and select Edit settings under the Connections heading. Here, you can configure settings such as virtual memory, CPU usage, and more.

Step 2: Configure Remote Desktop Session Host licensing

If you’re using a Remote Desktop Session Host in a production environment, you will need to configure licensing. To do this, go to the Licensing tab and select Configure per user licensing or Configure Remote Desktop licensing.

If you’re not sure which option to choose, contact your licensing provider for guidance.

Step 3: Configure Remote Desktop Gateway

If you want to allow users to access Remote Desktop Session Host over the internet, you will need to set up a Remote Desktop Gateway. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Remote Desktop Gateway Manager tool.
2. Click Create New Authorization Policy and follow the wizard to set up your policy.
3. Configure your Remote Desktop Gateway by going to the Server Manager and selecting Remote Desktop Services > Overview > Tasks > Edit Deployment Properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Remote Desktop Services?

Remote Desktop Services is a feature in Windows Server that allows users to access virtual desktops or applications over a network connection.

What is Remote Desktop Session Host?

Remote Desktop Session Host is the component of Remote Desktop Services that allows users to connect to virtual desktops or applications.

How do I set up Remote Desktop Services?

To set up Remote Desktop Services, open Server Manager and select Add roles and features. Select Remote Desktop Services installation, and click Next until you get to the Role Services page. Select Remote Desktop Session Host, and click Next until you reach the Confirmation page. Finally, click Install.

How do I configure Remote Desktop Session Host?

You can configure Remote Desktop Session Host settings by opening the Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration tool and selecting Edit settings under the Connections heading.

Do I need to configure Remote Desktop Gateway?

If you want to allow users to access Remote Desktop Session Host over the internet, you will need to set up a Remote Desktop Gateway.

How do I configure Remote Desktop Gateway?

You can set up Remote Desktop Gateway by opening the Remote Desktop Gateway Manager tool and following the wizard to set up your policy. You will also need to configure your Remote Desktop Gateway by going to the Server Manager and selecting Remote Desktop Services > Overview > Tasks > Edit Deployment Properties.

That’s all for now, Dev! We hope this article has been helpful in guiding you through the process of configuring Remote Desktop Session Host on Windows Server 2016. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out in the comments section below.