Overview of the server architecture of Remote Desktop Services 2012
The Remote Desktop Services of the 2012 version include the following components:
- Remote Desktop Connection Broker (RDCB)
- Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH)
- Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway)
- Remote Desktop Web Access (RDWA)
- Remote Desktop Virtualization Host (RDVH)
- Remote Desktop Licensing (RDS-CAL)
Below is a brief explanation of the individual server components.
Remote Desktop Connection Broker
The Remote Desktop Connection Broker enables client machines that have a client access license to access all server-based desktops and features by connecting them to the virtual machines and terminal server desktops in the data center.
The RDCB's tasks include checking user data, managing desktop images, assigning a user to a remote desktop, and load balancing the corresponding servers. For this the
Connection Broker a local database or - assuming the appropriate configuration - an SQL database.
Remote Desktop Session Host
The RDSH or remote desktop session host is a specific role of Remote Desktop Services. It provides the respective applications or desktops that are accessed by multiple users who own a CAL in parallel in separate sessions. For desktop virtualization, the Session Host has the additional function of connecting between the clients and the RD Connection Broker in Redirection Mode.
In Windows Server 2012 RDS it is also possible to create so-called collections of user groups, which organizes the various host resources (keyword: load balancing).
Remote Desktop Gateway
Using the RD Gateway - another role of Windows Server 2008 R2 - CAL-authorized users can securely access session hosts or virtualization hosts in the internal corporate network over the Internet from any capable end device. Session-based and virtual desktops as well as individual applications (RemoteApps) can be accessed via the Desktop Gateway. Communication between the end device and the gateway takes place using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), which is tunneled through HTTPS. The RD Gateway Manager tool can also be used to define guidelines for the authorization of individual users (Connection Authorization Policies - CAPs).
Remote Desktop Web Access
RD Web Access is controls access to a remote or virtual desktop via Start menu or a Web browser. Remote Desktop Web Access creates the Remote Desktop Protocol file that the client uses to access the corporate infrastructure over the Web.
In Windows Server 2008 R2, the so-called Per User RemoteApp Program Filtering is also available here, with which a personalized, i.e. also limited, range of applications is made available to a licensed user.
Remote Desktop Virtualization Host
The RD Virtualization Host in Microsoft RDS 2012 R2 supports Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) scenarios. Two types of virtual desktops are supported: Personal Virtual Desktops, which are assigned to specific users, or desktop pools, which are more like workstations used by different users. With the RDVH, Windows applications can also be hosted using Hyper-V.
Remote Desktop Licensing
To use the Remote Desktop Services a license server is usually required to be able to use the software. RD Desktop Licensing manages the required licenses within the RDS infrastructure. If a client needs an access license - RDS CAL for short - the session host requests this from the license server so that the end device can access sessions or virtual desktops, provided that a corresponding CAL is available.
Using Remote Desktop Services 2012 / 2012 R2 with a Client Access License
If you have purchased an edition of Microsoft Server Version 2012 or R2 - available from Wiresoft - this edition includes two administrator access licenses each ex works. However, these may only be used for administrative tasks, but they do not entitle any user or end device to remote access to the Remote Services. To use these services, a client therefore requires one of the two access licenses - either a User CAL or a Device CAL. One of the two CALs is also required, even if third-party user software is used.
At Wiresoft you will find special offers for User and Device CALs for Remote Desktop Services for both Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2. With a CAL for one of the two server systems, users can also access older versions (downgrade), however, the use of the services of a higher server version (upgrade) is not permitted or possible. On the other hand, a CAL for Microsoft Server 2012 can also be used to access the 2012 R2 version.
Key features of Windows Server 2012 R2 RDS RDS CALs
The 2012 version of Windows Desktop Services also offers the following additional key features:
- Comprehensive multi-monitor support
- Unification of RemoteApp and RD Web Access
- Scalable Connection Broker for Session Desktops and VDI Desktops
- Comprehensive compatibility with a wide range of other applications
- Optimized bitmap acceleration for 3D applications and media content based on Microsoft Silverlight and Flash
- Support of audio recordings and feeds
User CALs and Device CALs for access to RDS 2012 / R2 versions
As mentioned above, Microsoft offers two different types of client access licenses for Windows Remote Desktop Services 2012 and 2012 R2: User CALs and Device CALs. They differ in that in the first case the user is licensed and in the second case the device. With either type of CAL, only a single user or device is authorized to access Remote Desktop Services. A transfer of the access license to another user or device is not permitted later. It is also not possible to switch between the two licenses - from User CAL to Device CAL and vice versa.
The User CAL thus entitles a single specific user to use the RDS, regardless of the terminal device he uses for this purpose. Thus, with a User CAL, you can access the server services of Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 from any Windows device. It makes no difference whether this is a desktop PC at a workstation in the office, or another end device, such as a notebook in the home office, or a laptop used on the road.
Device CAL, on the other hand, is a device-related license that is permanently assigned to a specific individual device. This can therefore not only be a desktop PC in the office, but also a notebook - regardless of who is using it. This means that any user who is authorized to use the licensed end device can use it to access the Remote Desktop Services provided for it. The Device CAL is also required when setting up a workgroup server; see below for details.
Since most businesses or organizations rarely have only one of the two uses of Windows Server 2012 or 2012 R2 Remote Desktop Services, it is recommended that you purchase a combination of User CALs and Device CALs. If you have any questions about your individual CAL requirements for Microsoft Remote Desktop Services 2012, please contact us - we will put together a customized license package for you - including a favorable offer.
Configuring RDS for Windows Server 2012 on a workgroup server
In general, any compatible RDS license server can also host licenses from previous versions of Remote Desktop Services, i.e. a Windows 2012 R2 RDS license server can host all versions up to Windows Server 2012 R2, but not a higher version of Remote Desktop Services.
If you intend to configure the Remote Desktop Service on a workgroup server, you must use Windows PowerShell to manage the role services. You should also note the following: You must use a Device CAL instead of the User CAL. There are also differences from Client Access licenses for users. The following list provides an overview of all differences between the two types of CAL:
Device CAL
- An RDS Device CAL is physically assigned to the device.
- The RDS Device CAL is tracked by the license server, regardless of Active Directory membership
- Up to 20% of RDS CALs can be revoked
- A temporary RDS-CAL is valid between 52 and 89 days
User CAL
- An RDS User CAL is assigned to a single user in Active Directory
- This User CAL is tracked by the license server and cannot be tracked within a workgroup
- RDS User CALs cannot be revoked and are not temporarily available
- RDS User CALs can be overloaded
This information may be changed or updated by Microsoft as necessary.
Complete the need for CALs for the Microsoft RDS 2012 with Wiresoft
With the purchase of single user and device CALs for the Microsoft Remote Desktop Services 2012 and 2012 at Wiresoft you save money! Our range of CALs for the latest Windows Server software allows you to supplement your existing licensing with client access licenses or upgrade to a higher version. At Wiresoft, you benefit especially from the inexpensive single licenses, with which you only purchase as many CALs as you actually need. All Microsoft products offered by us are original license rights from the European area. They are unused and come from companies which are authorized by law to resell them. They were checked by Wiresoft for authenticity and full functionality. Many Wiresoft customers can confirm the advantage of purchasing CALs for Remote Desktop Services 2012 from us. Please contact us for more information.