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Server 2016 Remote Desktop Services



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Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is the platform of choice for building virtualization solutions for every end customer need, including delivering individual virtualized applications, providing secure mobile and remote desktop access, and providing end users the ability to run their applications and desktops from the cloud.

RDS offers deployment flexibility, cost efficiency, and extensibility—all delivered through a variety of deployment options, including Windows Server 2016 for on-premises deployments, Microsoft Azure for cloud deployments, and a robust array of partner solutions.

Depending on your environment and preferences, you can set up the RDS solution for session-based virtualization, as a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), or as a combination of the two:

  • Session-based virtualization: Leverage the compute power of Windows Server to provide a cost-effective multi-session environment to drive your users' everyday workloads.
  • VDI: Leverage Windows client to provide the high performance, app compatibility, and familiarity that your users have come to expect of their Windows desktop experience.
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Within these virtualization environments, you have additional flexibility in what you publish to your users:

Server 2016 Remote Desktop Services Install

  • Desktops: Give your users a full desktop experience with a variety of applications that you install and manage. Ideal for users that rely on these computers as their primary workstations or that are coming from thin clients, such as with MultiPoint Services.
  • RemoteApps: Specify individual applications that are hosted/run on the virtualized machine but appear as if they're running on the user's desktop like local applications. The apps have their own taskbar entry and can be resized and moved across monitors. Ideal for deploying and managing key applications in the secure, remote environment while allowing users to work from and customize their own desktops.

This is a comprehensive guide for installing RDS services to a Windows Server 2016. We will see in great detail how to enable the Remote Desktop Roles, Activate the RDS licenses and make the final configuration to make it work. Nov 19, 2015 For my documentation I went with a single server called a Quick Start setup. To start open Server Manager then click Manager- Add Roles and Features. Change the selection to Remote Desktop Services Installation then click Next. In my environment I will have the three core RDS roles running on a single VM (all-in-one con.

For environments where cost-effectiveness is crucial and you want to extend the benefits of deploying full desktops in a session-based virtualization environment, you can use MultiPoint Services to deliver the best value.

With these options and configurations, you have the flexibility to deploy the desktops and applications your users need in a remote, secure, and cost-effective fashion.

Next steps

Here are some next steps to help you get a better understanding of RDS and even start deploying your own environment:

  • Understand the supported configurations for RDS with the various Windows and Windows Server versions
  • Plan and design an RDS environment to accommodate various requirements, such as high availability and multi-factor authentication.
  • Review the Remote Desktop Services architecture models that work best for your desired environment.
  • Start to deploy your RDS environment with ARM and Azure Marketplace.
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Remote Desktop Services (RDS) built on Windows Server 2016 is a virtualization platform enabling a wide range of customer scenarios. Improvements in the overall RDS solution incorporates the work done by both the Remote Desktop team and other technology partners at Microsoft. The following scenarios and technologies are new or improved in Windows Server 2016.

Also be sure to check out our session from Ignite 2016: Harness RDS improvements in Windows Server 2016. In this video, the product team reviews all of the new and improved features in Remote Desktop Services, including vGPU support.

App Compatibility - Windows Server 2016 and Windows 10

Built on the same foundation of Windows 10, Windows Server 2016 not only has the same look and feel you expect out of a desktop but can also run many of the same applications. Pairing Windows Server 2016 with the graphics capabilities (below) gives you an environment for all users to be productive.

Azure SQL Database - the new database for your highly available environment

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The RD Connection Broker is able to store all of the deployment information (like connection states and user/host mappings) in a shared SQL database, such as an Azure SQL database. Ditch the SQL Server Always On Availability Group deployment manual, grab the connection string to the Azure SQL database, and start using your highly available environment.

Additional information: Use Azure SQL DB for your Remote Desktop Connection Broker high availability environment

Graphics - solving graphics needs across various scenarios

Thanks to Hyper-V's Discrete Device Assignment, you can now map GPUs on a host machine directly to a VM to be consumed by its GPU-requiring applications. Improvements have also been made in RemoteFX vGPU, including support for OpenGL 4.4, OpenCL 1.1, 4k resolution, and Windows Server virtual machines.

Additional information: Discrete Device Assignment

RD Connection Broker - improved connection handling during logon storms

With improved connection handling, the RD Connection Broker is now able to handle over 10,000 concurrent logon requests, sometimes seen during 'logon storms'. The improved RD Connection Broker also makes maintenance of the deployment simpler by being able to more quickly add servers back into the environment.

Additional information: Improved Remote Desktop Connection Broker Performance

RDP 10 - new capabilities built into the protocol

RDP 10 now uses the H.264/AVC 444 codec, appropriately optimizing across both video and text. With this release, pen remoting is also supported. With these capabilities, your remote sessions start to feel even more like a local session.

Additional information: RDP 10 AVC/H.264 improvements in Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016

Personal session desktops - providing individual desktops to any end-user

Server 2016 Remote Desktop Services Manager

Personal session desktops is a new way to have your own personal desktop hosted for you in the cloud. Administrative privileges and dedicated session hosts removes the complexity of hosting environments where users want to manage the desktop like it's their own.

Server 2016 Remote Desktop Services Licensing Mode Not Configured

Additional information: Personal Session Desktops