Complete guide to RDS management and RDSH

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  Article

  Five steps to preserve RDS functions during an upgrade

  RDS is important for technicians who need to administer and troubleshoot remote systems that are located too far away to physically service. It is key to ensure RDS continues to function when you upgrade to Windows Server 2012 R2. Read Now

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  Article

  RDSH vs. VDI comes down to use case

  In the debate over RDSH and VDI you have to ask who, what and why: Which users and what software will you support and why do you want to do it virtually? If you have complex needs, such as running multiple apps per session, or need advanced performance, choose VDI. If you have a simpler model, then RDSH is for you. Read Now

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  Article

  RDS upgrades on Windows Server 2012 found in the back end

  Windows Server 2008 R2 users should feel comfortable stepping into RDS on Windows Server 2012 because it features the same deployment processes, components and basic roles. The upgrades come on the back end in the form of simpler desktop collection creation and the preservation of pooled desktop states. Read Now

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  Article

  Shadowing returns in Windows Server 2012 R2 RDS

  Windows Server 2012 R2 improves upon RDS management in the original server release with upgrades to online data deduplication, seamless Windows enhancements and RemoteFX. But the crown jewel is the return of shadowing. Absent from the original Windows Server 2012 release, shadowing allows admins to remotely control an RDS session for help desk purposes or any other need. Read Now

1What does RemoteFX add?

RemoteFX has gone through some serious evolution. When it was a part of Windows Server 2008, it was a side product that ran as an option on top of RDP. When Windows Server 2012 hit the market, all that changed. RemoteFX can now run its own coding for VDI, essentially replacing RDP in some cases. Now that it's so prominent, it's important to know what else this feature can do.

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  Windows 7 with RemoteFX comes with fine print

  RemoteFX enhancements for RDP promise to deliver the perfect Windows 7 environment when running on VDI, but it comes with some very specific caveats. For example, it only works if you are connecting to a Windows 7 Service Pack 1 remote virtual desktop. In addition, that desktop has to be running on Microsoft Hyper-V 2008 R2 SP1. Read Now

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  Top three upgrades for RemoteFX in Windows Server 2012

  There were lots of updates in Windows Server 2012 and some RDS and RemoteFX news might have gotten lost in the shuffle. Some of the highlights for administrators include a multi-touch feature, RemoteFX Adaptive Graphics and RemoteFX for WAN. Read Now

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  Solve RemoteFX configuration challenges

  RemoteFX is a dynamic technology that comes with some configuration challenges. In Windows Server 2012, the challenge includes meeting new hardware requirements, including adding a DirectX 11-capable video card for Microsoft RemoteFX's vGPU to function. In terms of settings, you will have to turn off network detection on the server, turn off UDP on the server and more. Read Now

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  RemoteFX helps complete Microsoft VDI suite

  Microsoft has put together the parts necessary for a complete VDI suite and RemoteFX is an important piece of the puzzle because it provides a way to deliver an HD experience without third-party display protocols or connection brokers. It can also help facilitate the creation of virtual desktop templates from a single golden image from a disk. Read Now

2RDS management and VMware View

For a long time, VMware View users have been hamstrung by multi-protocols and the need for third-party intervention when it comes to RDSH and RDS management. But VMware is using its PCoIP technology to improve its RDS support.

• Article

  RDSH PCoIP offering can bypass Cirtix XenApp

  Teradici's RDSH PCoIP offering provides a protocol that can be used across the Windows RDS and VMware View desktop pools. For the first time, View shops can now bypass Citrix XenApp and use PCoIP for both VDI and Microsoft RDS. Horizon 6 is the first step in this long-awaited process. Read Now

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  Arch gives View customers options

  With Arch, a session-hosted remote desktop offering, Teradici has taken advantage of PCoIP technology so any VMware View-compatible or Teradici thin client can access sessions delivered via PCoIP. This has freed View customers from the hassle of having to use a different platform for protocol or non-VDI remote desktops. Read Now

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  View Persona does not support RDSH

  IT needs profile management software to deliver personalized settings to users. View Persona Management is supposed to fit that bill, but it does not support the RDSH application publishing feature in Horizon 6. As a result, many companies will be forced to continue using third-party profile management. Read Now

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  VMware poised to end multi-protocols

  For years, using VMware View meant supporting two protocols, which hurts WAN optimization and security, among creating other problems. The company finally has the foundation in place to turn its PCoIP protocol into an RDSH-based offering, eliminating the need for multiple protocols and simplifying support. Read Now

• Article

  Horizon 6 bulks up support for RDSH

  VMware has supported RDSH desktops since the first release of View. Unfortunately, that support has never been great. The goal is to change that with Horizon 6 by adding app publishing and giving shops more options for supporting task workers. Read Now

• Article

  VMware enters the app publishing game

  With Horizon 6 RDSH, VMware is trying to catch up to Citrix XenApp in allowing users to remotely access applications running and receiving updates in the data center. But VMware has not provided a way to manage the software installation on the RDSH hosts. Read Now

3Nobody's perfect: RDS issues

RDS and RDSH are far from perfect. From printer redirection problems to the possibility of losing data during unwanted reboots, there are challenges to overcome. But if your environment is set up right, RDS might just be the simpler VDI alternative that you are looking for. Take a look at some common problems to keep an eye out for.

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  Auto-reboot for Server 2012 causes concern

  Windows Server 2012 comes with an alarming feature: sudden, unplanned reboots. This means any organization running RDS could experience serious downtime or lost work when using Server 2012. There is no way to turn these reboots off, but there is a temporary fix. You can turn off Windows Update Service. This will also prevent automatic updating, however. Read Now

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  Top five RDS printer redirection problems

  Printers are supposed to print. If they don't print, that's a problem. With Microsoft RDS, printer redirection problems are one of the most common issues for the end user. Common glitches include incorrectly configured printer redirection, a missing print driver and lack of printing permission. Read Now

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  Is VDI really necessary? Consider RDSH

  Many users today really only need apps to get their work done. As a result, full-fledged VDI might be a little more than your organization actually needs. Instead, you can turn to RDSH to deliver desktops to your employees. One complication: RDSH is tougher to manage, particularly when it comes to configuration. Read Now

4Key terms

A little bit lost in some of the jargon surrounding RDS and RDSH? Don't be. Use this quick glossary of key terms to clear up any confusion.

• Definition

  Remote Desktop Services (RDS)

  Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is an umbrella term for several specific features of Microsoft Windows Server that allow users to remotely access graphical desktops and Windows applications. Read Now

• Definition

  Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH)

  Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH) is a role in Remote Desktop Services (RDS), or Terminal Services, as it was known prior to Windows Server 2008 R2. Read Now

• Definition

  RemoteFX

  RemoteFX is a set of protocols for Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) that are used to remotely deliver Windows virtual desktops over a local area network (LAN).  Read Now

• Definition

  VMware Horizon View

  VMware Horizon View is the virtual desktop host platform for vSphere. Formerly VMware View, the platform runs end user desktops as virtual machines on top of ESX/ESXi hosts. Read Now

• Definition

  Terminal Server

  A terminal server, also sometimes called a communication server, is a hardware device or server that provides terminals, such as PCs, printers, and other devices, with a common connection point to a local or wide area network (WAN). Read Now

• Definition

  Terminal Server product or Microsoft Windows Terminal Server (WTS)

  The Microsoft Windows Terminal Server (WTS) is a server program running on its Windows NT 4.0 (or higher) operating system that provides the graphical user interface (GUI) of the Windows desktop to user terminals that don't have this capability themselves. Read Now

5Test your knowledge

See how much you learned from this guide by taking our quiz covering Windows Server 2012 RDS management.

• Article

  Changes to Windows Server 2012 RDS: Are you in the know?

  Take this quiz to see how much you know about changes to Windows Server 2012 RDS. There are also updates to RemoteFX to stimulate your inner nerd. Read Now