Checklist: RD Session Host Installation Prerequisites
Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2
An RD Session Host server is the server that hosts Windows-based programs or the full Windows desktop for Remote Desktop Services clients. Users can connect to an RD Session Host server to run programs, to save files, and to use network resources on that server. Users can access an RD Session Host server by using Remote Desktop Connection or by using RemoteApp.
This checklist provides tasks that an administrator should perform before installing and configuring an RD Session Host server.
Note
Installing the RD Session Host role service on an Active Directory® domain controller is not recommended. For more information, see Installing RD Session Host on a Domain Controller.
| Task | Reference |
|---|---|
Determine if you need an RD Session Host server. |
To allow remote connections for administrative purposes only, you do not have to install an RD Session Host server. For more information about remote connections for administrative purposes, see Using Remote Desktop. |
Review licensing requirements for an RD Session Host server. |
Each user or computing device that connects to an RD Session Host server must have a valid Remote Desktop Services client access license (RDS CAL). An RD Session Host server running Windows Server 2008 R2 must be configured to use at least a license server running Windows Server 2008, and the license server must have valid RDS CALs installed. For more information about licensing requirements for Remote Desktop Services, see the Remote Desktop Services page on the Windows Server 2008 R2 TechCenter (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=138055). |
Decide which programs you want to host on the RD Session Host server. |
You should install the RD Session Host role service on the computer before you install any programs that you want to make available to users. If you install the RD Session Host role service on a computer that already has programs installed, some of the existing programs may not work correctly in a multiple user environment. Uninstalling and then reinstalling the affected programs may resolve these issues. For more information, see Install Programs on an RD Session Host Server. |
Review information about:
|
See the Remote Desktop Services page on the Windows Server 2008 R2 TechCenter (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=138055). |
Determine if you need to deploy a load-balanced RD Session Host server farm. |
For more information about RD Connection Broker, see the Remote Desktop Services page on the Windows Server 2008 R2 TechCenter (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=140432). |
Determine the Remote Desktop licensing mode that the RD Session Host server will use. |
The Remote Desktop licensing mode configured on an RD Session Host server must match the type of RDS CALs available on the Remote Desktop license server. For more information, see Specify the Remote Desktop Licensing Mode. |
Determine the Remote Desktop license server from which the RD Session Host server will request RDS CALs. |
An RD Session Host server must be configured to specify a Remote Desktop license server from which to request RDS CALs for users or computing devices that are connecting to the RD Session Host server. For more information, see Specify a License Server for the RD Session Host Server to Use. |
Determine which users will be able to remotely connect to the RD Session Host server. |
The Remote Desktop Users group on an RD Session Host server is used to give users and groups permission to log on remotely to an RD Session Host server. For more information, see Configure the Remote Desktop Users Group. |
Determine if you need to deploy an RD Gateway server. |
For more information about RD Gateway, see the Remote Desktop Services page on the Windows Server 2008 R2 TechCenter (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=140433). |
Determine if the RD Session Host server will require Network Level Authentication. |
You can enhance RD Session Host server security by providing user authentication earlier in the connection process when a client connects to an RD Session Host server. This early user authentication method is referred to as Network Level Authentication. For more information, see Configure the Network Level Authentication Setting for an RD Session Host Server. |
Review information about Windows Firewall. |
The installation of the Remote Desktop Services role changes the configuration of Windows Firewall. For more information, see Remote Desktop Services and Windows Firewall. |