Server 2012 Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration: A Comprehensive Guide for Devs

Hello Dev, welcome to this journal article on Server 2012 Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration. In today’s digital age, where remote working has become a norm, the importance of remote desktop session host configuration cannot be stressed enough. Therefore, in this guide, we will take a deep dive into the configuration process of Server 2012 Remote Desktop Session Host.

Understanding Remote Desktop Session Host

Before we proceed with the configuration process, it is essential to understand the basics of Remote Desktop Session Host. In simple words, Remote Desktop Session Host allows multiple users to access a Windows desktop remotely. It is a crucial feature for IT professionals who manage users’ remote access to desktops/server. Here are some of the features of Remote Desktop Session Host:

How to Install Remote Desktop Session Host

Before we proceed with the configuration process, let’s first understand how to install Remote Desktop Session Host. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Server Manager.
2. Select Add Roles and Features.
3. Click Next until you reach the Server Roles tab.
4. Select Remote Desktop Services and click Next.
5. Select Remote Desktop Session Host and click Next.
6. Follow the rest of the prompts to complete the installation.

Configuring Remote Desktop Session Host on Server 2012

Now that you have installed Remote Desktop Session Host let’s proceed with the configuration process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Configure License Server

Before you proceed with the configuration process, make sure you have installed the Remote Desktop Session Host License Server. If you haven’t, follow these steps:

1. Open the Server Manager and select Add Roles and Features.
2. Select Remote Desktop Services and click Next.
3. Select Remote Desktop Licensing and click Next.
4. Follow the rest of the prompts to complete the installation.

Once you have installed the license server, follow these steps to configure it:

1. Open the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.
2. Right-click on the server and select Properties.
3. Select the Connection Method and specify the license server or domain controller to use.
4. Specify the licensing mode you want to use (per device or per user).
5. Enter your license key and configure any other license settings.
6. Click on Activate Server to activate your license server.

Step 2: Configure Remote Desktop Session Host

After configuring the license server, you can proceed with configuring the Remote Desktop Session Host. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration.
2. Right-click on RDP-Tcp and select Properties.
3. Configure the General tab settings, such as session settings and encryption levels.
4. Configure the Network Adapter tab settings, such as IP addresses and ports.
5. Configure the Security tab settings, such as authentication and certificates.
6. Configure the Sessions tab settings, such as timeout and reconnection settings.
7. Configure the Environment tab settings, such as startup programs and desktop backgrounds.
8. Click Apply and OK to save your configurations.

Step 3: Configure Group Policy Settings

To configure additional settings, you can use Group Policy settings. Here are some important Group Policy settings you can configure:

1. Limit Maximum Color Depth
2. Restrict Remote Desktop Services users to a single Remote Desktop Services session
3. Set rules for remote devices
4. Enforce certificate validation

FAQs

Q1. What are the benefits of using Remote Desktop Session Host?

Remote Desktop Session Host allows multiple users to access a Windows desktop remotely. This feature is essential for IT professionals who manage users’ remote access to desktops/server. Some of the benefits include:

• Increased productivity.
• Reduced hardware costs.
• Enhanced remote experience with advanced graphics and media enhancements.
• Improved security features and centralized management of desktops.

Q2. How can I optimize Remote Desktop Session Host performance?

Here are some tips to optimize the performance of Remote Desktop Session Host:

• Use Load Balancing to distribute workloads across different servers.
• Use RemoteFX to enhance the remote experience with advanced graphics and media enhancements.
• Use Group Policy settings to configure additional settings that can improve performance.
• Upgrade hardware to improve performance.

Q3. Can I use Remote Desktop Session Host on Server 2012 R2?

Yes, you can use Remote Desktop Session Host on Server 2012 R2. The installation and configuration process is similar to Server 2012.

Q4. How do I troubleshoot Remote Desktop Session Host issues?

Here are some common issues you can face with Remote Desktop Session Host and how to troubleshoot them:

• Authentication issues: Check your authentication settings and certificates.
• Performance issues: Check your hardware and network settings.
• Login issues: Check your user account settings and network connectivity.
• Licensing issues: Check your license server and license settings.

Conclusion

In this guide, we have covered the installation and configuration process of Server 2012 Remote Desktop Session Host. We have also discussed the benefits of using Remote Desktop Session Host, tips to optimize performance, FAQs, and troubleshooting steps. We hope this guide has provided you with a clear understanding of Remote Desktop Session Host and helped you configure it effectively. Thank you for reading, Dev!