Installing & using the RDS - Remote Data Service on Windows.

Here we look at the installation & usage of RDS In this article we will cover the use of Remote Desktop Service , which can help you to connect over the network to remote servers to perform maintenance tasks.

What is Remote Desktop?

Remote Desktop Service is an tool through which you can remotely control a computer and allows you to use the data, applications, and network resources that are on the target computer. Remote Desktop Service is an evolution of the older Windows based Terminal Services Client that (like with Windows 2000), would allow you to connect to and manage a server remotely, allowing you to do maintenance on the server and so on. Remote Desktop (Windows Server 2003 / XP), allows the same functionality with enhanced features and security.

To install Remote Desktop Service , you need the following:

• Windows XP or 2003 server installed on the computer you plan to operate remotely. i.e the host computert.
• A good internet connection with adequate bandwidth. [Such as a broadband connection]

• The Remote Desktop Service Connection software is pre-installed with Windows XP & 2003 server. You can access it from the start menu as follows :
  • Start > Programs > Accessories > Communications> Remote Desktop Connection
• If it is not installed, you can find it on the Windows Installation CD [XP or 2003 server]
• You can also download a copy from Microsoft's website [The link is at the end of this article]

The Remote Desktop Service Connection software can be installed on any supported Windows platform. This is the front-end through which you will control the host computer.

1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your CD-ROM drive.
2. When the Welcome page appears, click Perform additional tasks, and then click Setup Remote Desktop Connection as shown below.

3. When the installation wizard starts, follow the directions that appear on your screen.
4. You will have to agree to the license agreement

5. Enter your personal information and click Next
6. Finish the installation and you will now have Remote Desktop Service Installed on your XP system.

Before you use Remote Desktop Service , your server has to be configured to allow it to be controlled remotely. Change the system properties to enable RDS.  

1. Log in as an Administrator
2. Open the System Applet in the Control Panel.
3. Click Start > Control Panel > System Applet > Remote Tab

4. On the Remote tab, select the Allow users to connect remotely to this computer check box, as shown below.

5. Make sure that you have the proper permissions to connect to a computer remotely, and click OK.

To Start a RDS Session

Once you have enabled your Server to allow remote connections and installed client software on a Windows-based client computer, you are ready to start a Remote Desktop Service session.

To create a new Remote Desktop Connection

1. Open Remote Desktop Connection.
2. Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > Communications > Remote Desktop Connection
3. In Computer, type the computer name or TCP/IP (shown below) address of the host you want to control.
4. Fill in your user-name & password , Domain if needed, save the connection as a ‘profile’ for later use.

5. Click Connect.
6. Your request will now be sent to the server you want to connect to. The Log On to Windows dialog box appears.
7. In the Log On to Windows dialog box, type your user name, password, and domain (if required), and then click OK.
8. The Remote Desktop window will open and you will see the desktop settings, files, and programs that are on the server. You can proceed to administer the server as required.

1. Saved connections are stored in the 'My Documents' folder
2. Windows Explorer > My Documents folder
3. Click the .Rdp file for the connection you want to use

A Remote Desktop file (*.rdp) file is a profile that holds the RDS settings. You can make copies of them as you would any other file and just change the options internally to that profile and save it with another name. You can copy all the *.rdp files and store them in a folder on your desktop; you can even edit the Start Menu and make a folder called RDP with all your profiles in it. Whatever makes it easy for you to manage…

To edit an *.rdp file and change the connections settings it contains, right-click the file and then click Edit.

1. In the Remote Desktop Connection window > click Start > Shut Down.
2. The Shut Down Windows dialog box appears
3. In the drop-down menu, select Log Off <username> > click OK

Links and Reference Material

• Downloads Page - Click here to go to the Microsoft downloads page, from where you can download the required software & reference material.
• Remote Desktop Connection for Windows Server 2003 [5.2.3790] - Click here to view the Windows Server 2003 download page
• Windows XP Remote Desktop Web Connection Overview - With the Remote Desktop Web Connection in Windows XP, you can run Remote Desktop session from within Microsoft Internet Explorer. (Microsoft)
• Set Up Your Computer for Remote Desktop - Read up on the three things you need to set up your computer to use Remote Desktop (Microsoft)
• Enable Your Computer as the Host - Learn how to turn on the Remote Desktop feature on your office computer so that you can control it remotely from another computer. (Microsoft)
• Frequently Asked Questions about Remote Desktop
• List of Remote Desktop fixes in Windows XP Service Pack 2 - Lists the Remote Desktop fixes that are available in Windows XP Service Pack 2 (Microsoft)