windows server 2012 remote desktop simultaneous connections

How to Enable Simultaneous Remote Desktop Connections on Windows Server 2012

Windows Server 2012 offers a powerful feature called Remote Desktop Services (RDS) that allows administrators to manage and secure remote desktop connections to a server. In this article, we will discuss how to enable simultaneous remote desktop connections on Windows Server 2012.

Before you can start using RDS, you need to install the necessary software components. This includes installing the RDS licensing manager, which is responsible for managing client access licenses (RDS CALs). RDS CALs are required for each user or device that connects to a remote desktop session.

To enable simultaneous remote desktop connections on Windows Server 2012, follow these steps:

1. Open the Server Manager dashboard and click on 'Add roles and features.'

2. Select 'Remote Desktop Services' as the feature to install.

3. Click 'Next' and then select 'RDS Licensing' from the list of available roles.

4. Follow the installation wizard's instructions to install the RDS licensing manager.

5. Once the installation is complete, open the RDS Licensing Manager console.

6. In the RDS Licensing Manager console, you will need to purchase RDS CALs for each client that will connect to a remote desktop session.

After purchasing RDS CALs, you can enable simultaneous remote desktop connections on your Windows Server 2012 server. To do this:

1. Open the Remote Desktop Services manager.

2. In the Remote Desktop Services manager, click on 'Collections' and then select the collection you want to configure.

3. Click on 'Properties' and then select the 'Session Settings' tab.

4. Under 'Session Settings,' select the option to allow simultaneous connections.

By following these steps, you can enable simultaneous remote desktop connections on your Windows Server 2012 server. This will allow multiple users or devices to connect to a single remote desktop session at the same time, making it easier for administrators to manage and secure remote access to their servers.

It's important to note that each server is allowed only two administrative remote desktop connections by default, which are reserved for domain admins. Normal users are not allowed to use these connections, and you should avoid mistakenly using them as regular user connections.

Windows server 2012 remote desktop simultaneous connections