My win ser2012 r2 Standard There is no option for remote desktop services when installing server roles

Question

Hello engineer, I would like to ask a question. My system is Windows Storage Server 2012 R2 Standard. When deploying an application publishing server, I need to install a software, and the installation error message is "You must configure it as a terminal server for the installation program to continue.", According to the manufacturer's documentation, it is necessary to select "Remote Desktop Services" in the "Server Manager - Add Role and Function - Configure Single Server Based on Role and Function - Server Role" section. However, this option is not available. I need to use the Remote Desktop Services tool to configure the terminal server in order to add this feature. Thank you!

Answer 1

Hi 义 曹,

Windows Storage Server 2012 R2 Standard is a specialized edition of Windows Server that is designed for network-attached storage (NAS) devices. It doesn't include the full set of features available in other editions of Windows Server, such as the ability to act as a Remote Desktop Services (RDS) host.

If you are encountering an error message stating, "You must configure it as a terminal server for the installation program to continue," and you need to enable Remote Desktop Services, here are some considerations and possible steps:

1. Edition Limitations:
   • Windows Storage Server editions may have limitations on the installation and configuration of certain features, including Remote Desktop Services.
2. Alternative Solutions:
   • If your primary goal is to use the server as a terminal server or application publishing server, you might consider deploying a standard edition of Windows Server (e.g., Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard) instead of Windows Storage Server.
3. Use a Different Server:
   • If you need to run Remote Desktop Services and the specific application, consider using a separate server running a suitable edition of Windows Server for that purpose.
4. Check Licensing:
   • Ensure that you have the appropriate licensing for running Remote Desktop Services. There are licensing requirements for each user or device that accesses the Remote Desktop Session Host.
5. Verify Installed Roles:
   • Check the installed roles and features on your Windows Storage Server. Open the Server Manager and navigate to "Manage" > "Add Roles and Features." Verify that Remote Desktop Services is not available in the list.
6. Check Documentation:
   • Review the documentation provided by the manufacturer of the software you are trying to install. It's possible that they have specific requirements or recommendations for deploying their software on Windows Storage Server.
7. Contact Support:
   • If you are unable to find a suitable solution or if the software manufacturer's documentation is unclear, consider reaching out to the software vendor's support for guidance on deploying their application on Windows Storage Server.

Keep in mind that Windows Storage Server editions are optimized for specific scenarios, and certain features may be restricted or not included. If your application relies on features that are not available in the current edition, using a different edition of Windows Server may be necessary. Always refer to the specific documentation and support channels for both Windows Storage Server and the application you are deploying for the most accurate guidance.

Regards,

Answer 2

Hello,

You can try this command in PowerShell and see whether it can help:

Import-Module ServerManager

Add-WindowsFeature –Name RDS-RD-Server –IncludeAllSubFeature