Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Deployment and Configuration in Windows Server 2019 & 2022

Prerequisites:

A Windows Server 2019/2022 (Standard or Datacenter).

A server joined to an Active Directory domain.

A domain user account with Administrator rights.

Proper IP configuration and DNS resolution.

At least 2 servers recommended for production (1 for RD broker + Web access, 1 for RD session host).

RDS Roles Overview

RDS consists of several key components:

Role	Description
RD Session Host-	Hosts Windows-based programs or full desktops
RD Connection Broker-	Manages user sessions and load balancing
RD Web Access-	Allows access to desktops/apps via a web browser
RD Licensing-	Manages RDS CALs (Client Access Licenses)
RD Gateway (optional)-	Secures RDP connections over the internet

Standard RDS deployment architectures

Remote Desktop Services has two standard architectures:

Basic deployment – This contains the minimum number of servers to create a fully effective RDS environment.

Highly available deployment – This contains all necessary components to have the highest guaranteed uptime for your RDS environment.

Step 1: Add RDS Role via Server Manager

1. Log in to your Windows Server with admin rights.
2. Open Server Manager.
3. Click "Manage" > "Add Roles and Features".
4. Select "Remote Desktop Services installation".
5. Choose Standard Deployment.
6. Select Session-based desktop deployment.
7. Choose the server(s) for:
   
   RD Connection Broker
   RD Web Access
   RD Session Host

Note: You can assign all roles to the same server for a lab or POC.

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Step 2: Confirm and Install Roles

1. Confirm your selections.
2. Click Deploy.
3. Let the installer run; it may take a few minutes.
4. Restart the server if required.

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Step 3: Configure RDS Collections

1. In Server Manager, go to Remote Desktop Services > Overview.
2. Click “Create Session Collection”.
3. Name your collection (e.g., RemoteApps_Users).
4. Select RD Session Host server.
5. Specify users or groups allowed access (e.g., Domain Users).
6. Publish apps or provide full desktop experience.

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Step 4: Configure Licensing (RDS CALs)

1. Open Server Manager > Remote Desktop Services.
2. Click on RD Licensing > Add RD Licensing server.
3. Add your Licensing server (can be the same machine).
4. Activate the license server:

Open RD Licensing Manager.

Right-click your server > Activate Server.

Follow the wizard using automatic connection method.

5. Install RDS CALs (per user or per device as needed).

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Step 5: Allow Access via Web or RDP

• Access via Web:

Open a browser and navigate to:
https://<your-server-name>/RDWeb

Log in with a domain user.

• Access via RDP:

Open Remote Desktop Connection on client PC.

Enter the RD Session Host’s name or IP.

Provide domain credentials.

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Optional: Configure SSL Certificate

1. In Server Manager > RDS > Deployment Properties.
2. Under Certificates, click Select Existing Certificate.
3. Bind your public/internal SSL cert to:

RD Web Access

RD Gateway (if used)

RD Connection Broker