Adding Remote Session Host

1. Click Start then Run… to open the Run window.
   

 

2. In the dialogue box type servermanager.msc and the click OK.
   

 

3. The Server Manager will now open. Click Roles to view current roles installed on server.

 

4. Click Add Roles on the right hand side of the window to open the Add Roles Wizard.

 

5. The first screen of the Add Roles Wizard is a introductory screen, click Next to continue.

 

6. A list of available roles is shown, choose Remote Desktop Servives, then click next.
   
7. The next screen is a introductory screen, read overview and click Next.
   
   
   
8. At the Select Role Service screen choose Remote Desktop Session Host
   
   
9. Remote Desktop Session Host provides a special installation mode in which it records any changes made to the system. If the program wish you wish to use RemoteApp for is installed already uninstall it now.
   

 

10. Network Level Authentication is an authentication method that can be used to enhance RD Session Host server security by requiring that the user be authenticated to the RD Session Host server before a session is created. Choose this option and click Next.

<![if !supportLists]>11.   <![endif]>At the Specify Licensing Mode screen choose the licence type for client access. For the purposes of this document “Per User” will be choosen. Depending on the client this might change.

12.Now select the AD Groups or Users that will be allowed access and click Next.

 

 

13. You can configure the RD Session Host to provide with a richer desktop experience, like sound and video playback. For the purposes of this document all options will be left blank. Click Next to continue.

<![if !supportLists]>14.   <![endif]>The next screen provides an overview of the options choosen.

15. The installation will now begin.
    
    
    
16. Once completed click Close, you will be promted to reboot the server click Yes reboot.
    
    
    

 

Understanding Remote Desktop Services on Windows Server 2008

I have to configure RemoteApp for a client during the next couple of days and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to write a few turorials on how to configure the whole spectrum of Remote Desktop Services on Windows Server 2008 R2 considering I also have to write work instructions for the clients in-house techies.

To start we can have a look at the basics components of Remote Desktop Services on Windows Server 2008 R2:

What is Remote Desktop Services?

Remote Desktop Services in Windows Server 2008 R2 allows a user to access applications and data on a remote computer over a network, using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).
In other words it allows you to open programs (and Operating Systems) installed on another computer ass if it was installed on yours.
This is achieved by installing various Remote Desktop Services Roles, not all of which are always needed depending on the requirements of deployment.
 
Remote Desktop Services Roles

RD Session Host - Programs and OS that will be accessed remotely are installed/hosted on the RD Session Host.

Remote Desktop Licence Server Role - A CAL is used for each connection made to a RD Session Host or RD Connection Broker, the RD License Server manages process.

Remote Desktop Web Access - Enables users to access RemoteApp and Desktop Connection through the Start Menu or through a web browser.

Remote Desktop Connection Broker - Acts as a load balancer for multiple RD Session Host. Instead of connecting directly to RD Session Host, clients connect to the RD Connection Broker which passes connection to a RD Session Host.

Remote Desktop Gateway - Allows users to connect to RD Session Host or RD Connection Brokers from external networks.

Remote Desktop Virtualization - RD Virtualization Host enables users to connect to virtual desktops by using RemoteApp and Desktop Connection.


 

Installing Windows Server 2012

MICROSOFT WINDOWS SERVER 2012

Microsoft released the latest version of their server operating system in September 2012, named Windows Server 2012.
This is a step-by-step guide to a standard installation of Windows Server 2012, the installation method is similar to Windows Server 2008 although there are some minor differences.

THE INTALLATION INSTALLTION PROCESS

1. Boot from installation media, press any key to boot from media when prompted to do so.

 

2. You will now see the “Windows is loading files” screen.
 

3. The Language screen will now appear. Choose your locale settings and click Next.
 

              
4. Click Install now from the Windows Server 2012 installation screen.
 

5. At the Operating System menu select the operating system you want to install. For the purposes of this document, the selected option is Windows Server 2012 Standard with a GUI.  The other option is server core which was first introduced in Windows Server 2008 and is a minimal install with no GUI but provides remote management through Windows PowerShell and other tools.

6. Read and accept the End User Liscence Agreement then click Next.

7. Setup will now prompt you to choose the type of installation, choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)

8. You will now have to choose were to install Windows Server 2012. Setup will list all disks detected, because we will be partitioning the hard drive click Drive option (advanced). There is no particular reason I'm choosing to partition the disk, the only reason is to show the process involved.

 

 

9. The partition screen opens, click new to create a new partition. Resize new partion to desired size then click Apply to create.

 

 

10.Server 2012 automatically creates a 100MB partion. This “System Reserved” partition is where the bootloader resides. Click OK at the prompt.


 

11.Highlight the partition you created and click Next.

 

12.The installation will now begin. The screens will change as the installation progesses, don’t be alarmed by this.

 

 

13.Once installtion is completed, you will be prompted to enter a password. Enter password then click Finish to proceed.

14.The installation process is now complete. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to login.
 

 

In the next post we will look at configuring the basics e.g. joining a domain and renaming computer.