Windows Server 2019 – Configure Remote Desktop Session Host

Hello Dev, welcome to our journal article on Windows Server 2019 and how to configure Remote Desktop Session Host. In this article, we will go through the steps needed to set up Remote Desktop Session Host, including enabling the feature, configuring Remote Desktop Session Host, setting up Remote Desktop Gateway, and more. By the end of this article, you will be able to configure Remote Desktop Session Host, allowing users to connect to your server remotely.

Enabling Remote Desktop Session Host

The first step in configuring Remote Desktop Session Host is to enable the feature. Here’s how:

1. Open Server Manager
2. Select “Add Roles and Features” from the “Manage” menu
3. Click “Next” until you reach the “Features” section
4. Select “Remote Desktop Services”
5. Select “Remote Desktop Session Host”
6. Click “Install”

Once installation is complete, the next step is to configure Remote Desktop Session Host.

Configuring Remote Desktop Session Host

After enabling Remote Desktop Session Host, you can configure the settings to suit your needs. Here are the steps:

1. Open “Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration”
2. Click “RD Session Host Configuration” in the left pane
3. Click “Properties” in the right pane
4. Configure the settings as needed
5. Click “OK” to save changes

The settings you can configure include login options, session timeouts, and more. Once you have configured Remote Desktop Session Host, you can proceed to setting up Remote Desktop Gateway.

Setting up Remote Desktop Gateway

Remote Desktop Gateway is a feature in Windows Server 2019 that allows users to connect to Remote Desktop Session Host via the internet. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Open “Remote Desktop Gateway Manager”
2. Click “Create new RD Gateway farm”
3. Enter the server name and IP address
4. Click “Next”
5. Select the authentication method
6. Configure the settings as needed
7. Click “Finish”

Once you have set up Remote Desktop Gateway, users can connect to Remote Desktop Session Host securely via the internet.

Creating Remote Desktop Session Host Collection

You can create a collection of Remote Desktop Session Host servers, allowing users to connect to any available server in the collection. Here’s how to create a collection:

1. Open “Remote Desktop Services”
2. Click “Collections”
3. Click “Tasks” and select “Create Session Collection”
4. Enter the collection name
5. Select the Remote Desktop Session Host server
6. Configure the settings as needed
7. Click “Create”

Once you have created a collection, users can connect to any available server in the collection, making it easier to balance the load and maintain availability.

Configuring Remote Desktop Session Host Licensing

To use Remote Desktop Session Host, you need to have the appropriate license. Here’s how to configure Remote Desktop Session Host Licensing:

1. Open “Remote Desktop Licensing Manager”
2. Click “Activate license server”
3. Enter the license server details
4. Click “Next”
5. Select the licensing mode
6. Click “Next”
7. Enter the license key
8. Click “Add”
9. Click “Activate”

Once you have configured Remote Desktop Session Host Licensing, users can connect to Remote Desktop Session Host using their licensed devices.

Configuring Remote Desktop Session Host Security

Security is an important aspect to consider when configuring Remote Desktop Session Host. Here are some tips to keep your Remote Desktop Session Host secure:

• Use strong passwords for all accounts and change them regularly
• Limit access to Remote Desktop Session Host to only authorized users
• Use Remote Desktop Gateway for remote access over the internet
• Enable Network Level Authentication to enhance security

By following these tips, you can keep your Remote Desktop Session Host secure and protect your data from unauthorized access.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Here are some common issues that you may encounter when configuring Remote Desktop Session Host, along with some troubleshooting tips:

If you encounter any issue that you cannot resolve, you can seek help from Microsoft support or an IT professional.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is Remote Desktop Session Host?

A: Remote Desktop Session Host is a feature in Windows Server that allows multiple users to connect to a server remotely and run their applications and desktops as if they were running on their local computers.

Q: How do I enable Remote Desktop Session Host?

A: You can enable Remote Desktop Session Host by opening Server Manager, selecting “Add Roles and Features”, and selecting “Remote Desktop Session Host” in the “Features” section.

Q: What is Remote Desktop Gateway?

A: Remote Desktop Gateway is a feature in Windows Server that allows users to connect to Remote Desktop Session Host securely via the internet.

Q: How do I configure Remote Desktop Session Host Licensing?

A: You can configure Remote Desktop Session Host Licensing by opening “Remote Desktop Licensing Manager”, activating the license server, selecting the licensing mode, entering the license key, and activating the license.

Q: How do I keep my Remote Desktop Session Host secure?

A: To keep your Remote Desktop Session Host secure, use strong passwords, limit access to authorized users, use Remote Desktop Gateway for remote access over the internet, and enable Network Level Authentication.

In conclusion, configuring Remote Desktop Session Host is a straightforward process that requires enabling the feature, configuring Remote Desktop Session Host, setting up Remote Desktop Gateway, creating Remote Desktop Session Host Collection, configuring Remote Desktop Session Host Licensing, and securing Remote Desktop Session Host. By following these steps, you can set up a remote access solution that is efficient, secure, and easy to maintain.