Microsoft RDS Configuration and Operations Guide

🔧 1. Introduction to RDS

Remote Desktop Services (RDS) allows users to connect to centralized desktops and applications from remote locations. It enables:

• Centralized management of desktops and apps
• Improved security and compliance
• Reduced hardware costs using thin clients

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📋 2. RDS Deployment Overview

Key RDS Roles:

Role	Description
RD Session Host (RDSH)	Hosts Windows-based programs or the full desktop
RD Licensing	Manages RDS Client Access Licenses (CALs)
RD Connection Broker	Manages user sessions and load balancing
RD Web Access	Provides a web portal for users to access RemoteApps and desktops
RD Gateway	Provides secure access via HTTPS over the Internet

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⚙️ 3. Prerequisites

• Windows Server (2016, 2019, or 2022)
• Domain-joined servers (Active Directory environment)
• Proper RDS CALs
• Static IP and hostname for each RDS role server
• Certificates (public or internal CA) for secure access

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🧱 4. Installing RDS Roles

Via Server Manager:

1. Open Server Manager > Add Roles and Features
2. Choose Role-based or feature-based installation
3. Select your server
4. In the Roles list, choose Remote Desktop Services
5. Select one or more:
   • RD Connection Broker
   • RD Web Access
   • RD Session Host
6. Install and reboot if required

💡 In production, install roles on separate servers for scalability and security.

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🔑 5. Configuring RD Licensing

1. Go to Server Manager > Remote Desktop Services > Overview
2. Click on RD Licensing
3. Right-click the licensing server → Activate Server
4. Follow the wizard to activate via Internet or phone
5. Install CALs (Per User or Per Device)
6. On each Session Host:
   • Run gpedit.msc
   • Navigate to:
     Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > RD Session Host > Licensing
   • Set the licensing mode and specify the license server

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💼 6. Creating a Session Collection

1. In Server Manager > Remote Desktop Services
2. Click Collections > Tasks > Create Session Collection
3. Provide:
   • Name & description
   • Session Host servers
   • User groups
   • Profile disk config (optional)
4. Finish wizard to deploy

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📦 7. Publishing RemoteApps

1. Inside the created collection:
   • Click Tasks > Publish RemoteApp Programs
2. Choose programs to publish
3. Confirm and finish
4. Applications will be available via:
   • RD Web Access portal
   • RDP shortcut (.rdp file)
   • RemoteApp and Desktop Connections

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🌐 8. Configuring RD Gateway (Optional)

1. Add RD Gateway role via Add Roles and Features
2. Configure HTTPS certificate
3. In RD Gateway Manager:
   • Create a Connection Authorization Policy
   • Create a Resource Authorization Policy
4. Update DNS to resolve externally (e.g., rds.yourcompany.com)

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🖥 9. Accessing RDS as a User

• Open a browser: https://<your-RDWeb-server>/RDWeb
• Or use Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc):
  • Enter rds.yourdomain.com
  • Authenticate with domain credentials

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📊 10. Monitoring and Operations

Tools:

• Server Manager > Remote Desktop Services Dashboard
• Event Viewer for RDS-related logs
• Performance Monitor (perfmon.msc)
• Task Manager > Users (on Session Hosts)

Common Tasks:

Task	Tool
Add/remove users	Active Directory
Reboot sessions	Server Manager or taskkill
Add programs	Install on Session Host, republish if needed
License check	RD Licensing Diagnoser

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🔄 11. Backup and Recovery

• Use Windows Server Backup or third-party tools
• Backup:
  • RD Connection Broker DB
  • RD Licensing data
  • User profile disks (if enabled)
• Document server settings and collections for disaster recovery

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✅ 12. Best Practices

• Use SSL certificates from a trusted CA
• Limit access via security groups
• Regularly patch servers and clients
• Monitor licensing usage and compliance
• Use User Profile Disks (UPD) for user data consistency
• Scale out Session Hosts with Connection Broker load balancing