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Test Lab Guide: Remote Desktop Services Session Virtualization Standard Deployment

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Applies To: Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012

In Windows Server 2012 the Remote Desktop Services Session Virtualization standard deployment is a scenario-based installation within Server Manager that allows you to install, configure, and manage RD Session Host servers from a central location. With the Session Virtualization standard deployment scenario, you’re presented with two deployment types:

  • Standard Deployment: Allows you to flexibly deploy the various Remote Desktop Services role services to different servers.

  • Quick Start: Installs all the necessary Remote Desktop Services’ role services on one computer to let you install and configure in a test environment. To use the Quick Start instead of the standard deployment, see: Test Lab Guide: Remote Desktop Services Session Virtualization Quick Start

This test lab walks you through the process of creating a Session Virtualization standard deployment by doing the following:

  • Installs the RD Connection Broker, RD Session Host, and RD Web Access role services on separate computers.

  • Creates a session collection.

  • Publishes a session-based desktop for each RD Session Host server in the collection.

  • Publishes applications as RemoteApp programs.

A Remote Desktop Services Session Virtualization standard deployment allows you to install the appropriate role services on separate computers. Unlike the Session Virtualization Quick Start deployment, a standard deployment provides more precise control of session-based desktops and session virtualization collections by not creating them automatically.

In this guide

This topic contains instructions for setting up a test lab based on the Test Lab Guide: Base Configuration and deploying Session Virtualization using three server computers and one client computer. The resulting Session Virtualization standard deployment test lab demonstrates how to successfully install and configure a Session Virtualization standard deployment.

Important

The following instructions describe how to configure a Session Virtualization standard deployment test lab using the minimum number of computers. Individual computers are needed to separate the services provided on the network and to clearly show the desired functionality. This configuration is neither designed to reflect best practices, nor does it reflect a desired or recommended configuration for a production network. The configuration, including IP addresses and all other configuration parameters, is designed only to work on a separate test lab network.

Test lab overview

In this test lab, the Session Virtualization standard deployment is deployed with:

  • One computer running Windows Server 2012 named DC1 that is configured as an intranet domain controller, Domain Name System (DNS) server, and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server.

  • One intranet member server running Windows Server 2012 named RDSH1 that is configured as the Remote Desktop Session Host (RD Session Host) server.

  • One intranet member server running Windows Server 2012 named RDWA1 that is configured as the Remote Desktop Web Access (RD Web Access) server.

  • One intranet member server running Windows Server 2012 named RDCB1 that is configured as the Remote Desktop Connection Broker (RD Connection Broker) server.

  • One roaming member client computer running Windows 8 named CLIENT1 that is used to connect to the Session Virtualization deployment.

The Session Virtualization standard deployment test lab consists of one subnet that simulate the following:

  • An intranet, referred to as the Corpnet subnet (10.0.0.0/24).

Computers on the subnet connect using a physical hub, switch, or virtual switch. See the following figure for the configuration of the Session Virtualization standard deployment test lab.

Hardware and software requirements

The following are required components of the test lab:

  • The product disc or files for Windows Server 2012.

  • The product disc or files for Windows 8.

  • Three physical computers that meet the minimum hardware requirements for Windows Server 2012.

Steps for configuring the test lab

There are 8 steps to follow when setting up the Session Virtualization standard deployment test lab based on the Test Lab Guide: Base Configuration.

  • Step 1: Complete the Base Configuration Test Lab -- The Session Virtualization standard deployment test lab requires the Base Configuration test lab as its starting point.

  • Step 2: Install and Configure RDSH1 – RDSH1 is a Windows Server 2012 computer that is used as the RD Session Host computer.

  • Step 3: Install and Configure RDWA1 – RDWA1 is a Windows Server 2012 computer that is used as the RD Web Access computer.

  • Step 4: Install and Configure RDCB1 – RDCB1 is a Windows Server 2012 computer that is used as the RD Connection Broker computer.

  • Step 5: Deploy Session Virtualization Standard Deployment – The Session Virtualization standard deployment is deployed by using Server Manager.

  • Step 6: Create Session Collection – A Session Collection is created by using Server Manager.

  • Step 7: Test Remote Desktop Services Connectivity -- CLIENT1 is a Windows 8 computer that is used to test that you can successfully connect to the Session Virtualization standard deployment.

  • Step 8: Snapshot the configuration -- At the completion of the lab, snapshot the configuration so that you can later return to a working Session Virtualization standard deployment Test Lab.

Note

You must be logged on as a member of the Domain Admins group or a member of the Administrators group on each computer to complete the tasks described in this guide. If you cannot complete a task while you are logged on with an account that is a member of the Administrators group, try performing the task while you are logged on with an account that is a member of the Domain Admins group.

Step 1: Complete the base configuration test lab

This test lab guide uses the base configuration test lab as a starting place. Before you proceed with the remainder of the steps in this guide, complete the steps in the Test Lab Guide: Base Configuration. If you have already completed the steps in the Test Lab Guide: Base Configuration and saved a disk image or a virtual machine snapshot of the base configuration, you can restore the base configuration and proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Install and Configure RDSH1

Installing and configuring the server used for the RD Session Host consists of the following procedures:

  • Install the operating system.

  • Configure TCP/IP properties.

  • Join RDSH1 to the CORP domain.

The following sections explain these procedures in detail.

Install the operating system on RDSH1

First, install Windows Server 2012.

To install the operating system on RDSH1

  1. Start the installation of Windows Server 2012.

  2. Follow the instructions to complete the installation, specifying a strong password for the local Administrator account. Log on using the local Administrator account.

  3. Connect RDSH1 to a network that has Internet access and run Windows Update to install the latest updates for Windows Server 2012.

Configure TCP/IP properties

Next, configure TCP/IP.

To configure TCP/IP properties

  1. In Server Manager, click Local Server in the console tree. Click the link next to Wired Ethernet Connection in the Properties tile.

  2. In Network Connections, right-click Wired Ethernet Connection, and then click Properties. Note that the "Wired Ethernet Connection" interface name may be different on your computer.

  3. Click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and then click Properties.

  4. Select Use the following IP address. In IP address, type 10.0.0.6. In Subnet mask, type 255.255.255.0.

  5. Select Use the following DNS server addresses. In Preferred DNS server, type 10.0.0.1.

  6. Click OK, and then click Close. Close the Network Connections window.

  7. From the Start screen, type command, and then click Command Prompt.

  8. To check name resolution and network communication between RDSH1 and DC1, type ping dc1.corp.contoso.com in the command prompt window and hit ENTER.

  9. Verify that there are four replies from 10.0.0.1.

  10. Close the Command Prompt window.

Windows PowerShell equivalent commands

The following Windows PowerShell cmdlet or cmdlets perform the same function as the preceding procedure. Enter each cmdlet on a single line, even though they may appear word-wrapped across several lines here because of formatting constraints.. Use the ipconfig /all command to list all the interfaces.

New-NetIPAddress -InterfaceAlias "Wired Ethernet Connection" -IPv4Address 10.0.0.6 -PrefixLength 24
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Wired Ethernet Connection" -ServerAddresses 10.0.0.1

Join RDSH1 to the CORP domain

To join RDSH1 to the CORP domain

  1. Log on to the computer with the local Administrator user account.

  2. Server Manager will start automatically. If it does not start automatically, click Start, type servermanager.exe, and then click Server Manager.

  3. Click Local Server.

  4. Click the name of the computer next to Computer name, and then click Change.

  5. In the Computer name box, type RDSH1. In the Member of box, click the Domain option, type corp.contoso.com and then click OK.

  6. When you are prompted for a user name and password, provide the CORP\Administrator credentials, and then click OK.

  7. When you see a dialog box welcoming you to the corp.contoso.com domain, click OK.

  8. When you are prompted that you must restart the computer, click OK.

  9. On the System Properties dialog box, click Close, and then click Restart Now.

Windows PowerShell equivalent commands

The following Windows PowerShell cmdlet or cmdlets perform the same function as the preceding procedure. Enter each cmdlet on a single line, even though they may appear word-wrapped across several lines here because of formatting constraints.. Note that you must supply domain credentials after entering the Add-Computer command below.

Rename-Computer -NewName RDSH1
Restart-Computer
Add-Computer -DomainName corp.contoso.com
Restart-Computer

Step 3: Install and Configure RDWA1

Installing and configuring the server used for RD Web Access in the Session Virtualization standard deployment test lab consists of the following procedures:

  • Install the operating system.

  • Configure TCP/IP properties.

  • Join RDWA1 to the CORP domain.

The following sections explain these procedures in detail.

Install the operating system on RDWA1

First, install Windows Server 2012.

To install the operating system on RDWA1

  1. Start the installation of Windows Server 2012.

  2. Follow the instructions to complete the installation, specifying a strong password for the local Administrator account. Log on using the local Administrator account.

  3. Connect RDWA1 to a network that has Internet access and run Windows Update to install the latest updates for Windows Server 2012.

Configure TCP/IP properties

Next, configure TCP/IP.

To configure TCP/IP properties

  1. In Server Manager, click Local Server in the console tree. Click the link next to Wired Ethernet Connection in the Properties tile.

  2. In Network Connections, right-click Wired Ethernet Connection, and then click Properties. Note that the "Wired Ethernet Connection" interface name may be different on your computer.

  3. Click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and then click Properties.

  4. Select Use the following IP address. In IP address, type 10.0.0.4. In Subnet mask, type 255.255.255.0.

  5. Select Use the following DNS server addresses. In Preferred DNS server, type 10.0.0.1.

  6. Click OK, and then click Close. Close the Network Connections window.

  7. From the Start screen, type command, and then click Command Prompt.

  8. To check name resolution and network communication between RDWA1 and DC1, type ping dc1.corp.contoso.com in the command prompt window and hit ENTER.

  9. Verify that there are four replies from 10.0.0.1.

  10. Close the Command Prompt window.

Windows PowerShell equivalent commands

The following Windows PowerShell cmdlet or cmdlets perform the same function as the preceding procedure. Enter each cmdlet on a single line, even though they may appear word-wrapped across several lines here because of formatting constraints.. Use the ipconfig /all command to list all the interfaces.

New-NetIPAddress -InterfaceAlias "Wired Ethernet Connection" -IPv4Address 10.0.0.4 -PrefixLength 24
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Wired Ethernet Connection" -ServerAddresses 10.0.0.1

Join RDWA1 to the CORP domain

To join RDWA1 to the CORP domain

  1. Log on to the computer with the local Administrator user account.

  2. Server Manager will start automatically. If it does not start automatically, click Start, type servermanager.exe, and then click Server Manager.

  3. Click Local Server.

  4. Click the name of the computer next to Computer name, and then click Change.

  5. In the Computer name box, type RDWA1. In the Member of box, click the Domain option, type corp.contoso.com and then click OK.

  6. When you are prompted for a user name and password, provide the CORP\Administrator credentials, and then click OK.

  7. When you see a dialog box welcoming you to the corp.contoso.com domain, click OK.

  8. When you are prompted that you must restart the computer, click OK.

  9. On the System Properties dialog box, click Close, and then click Restart Now.

Windows PowerShell equivalent commands

The following Windows PowerShell cmdlet or cmdlets perform the same function as the preceding procedure. Enter each cmdlet on a single line, even though they may appear word-wrapped across several lines here because of formatting constraints.. Note that you must supply domain credentials after entering the Add-Computer command below.

Rename-Computer -NewName RDWA1
Restart-Computer
Add-Computer -DomainName corp.contoso.com
Restart-Computer

Step 4: Install and Configure RDCB1

Installing and configuring the server used for the RD Connection Broker consists of the following procedures:

  • Install the operating system.

  • Configure TCP/IP properties.

  • Join RDCB1 to the CORP domain.

The following sections explain these procedures in detail.

Install the operating system on RDCB1

First, install Windows Server 2012.

To install the operating system on RDCB1

  1. Start the installation of Windows Server 2012.

  2. Follow the instructions to complete the installation, specifying a strong password for the local Administrator account. Log on using the local Administrator account.

  3. Connect RDCB1 to a network that has Internet access and run Windows Update to install the latest updates for Windows Server 2012.

Configure TCP/IP properties

Next, configure TCP/IP.

To configure TCP/IP properties

  1. In Server Manager, click Local Server in the console tree. Click the link next to Wired Ethernet Connection in the Properties tile.

  2. In Network Connections, right-click Wired Ethernet Connection, and then click Properties. Note that the "Wired Ethernet Connection" interface name may be different on your computer.

  3. Click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and then click Properties.

  4. Select Use the following IP address. In IP address, type 10.0.0.5. In Subnet mask, type 255.255.255.0.

  5. Select Use the following DNS server addresses. In Preferred DNS server, type 10.0.0.1.

  6. Click OK, and then click Close. Close the Network Connections window.

  7. From the Start screen, type command, and then click Command Prompt.

  8. To check name resolution and network communication between RDCB1 and DC1, type ping dc1.corp.contoso.com in the command prompt window and hit ENTER.

  9. Verify that there are four replies from 10.0.0.1.

  10. Close the Command Prompt window.

Windows PowerShell equivalent commands

The following Windows PowerShell cmdlet or cmdlets perform the same function as the preceding procedure. Enter each cmdlet on a single line, even though they may appear word-wrapped across several lines here because of formatting constraints.. Use the ipconfig /all command to list all the interfaces.

New-NetIPAddress -InterfaceAlias "Wired Ethernet Connection" -IPv4Address 10.0.0.5 -PrefixLength 24
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Wired Ethernet Connection" -ServerAddresses 10.0.0.1

Join RDCB1 to the CORP domain

To join RDCB1 to the CORP domain

  1. Log on to the computer with the local Administrator user account.

  2. Server Manager will start automatically. If it does not start automatically, click Start, type servermanager.exe, and then click Server Manager.

  3. Click Local Server.

  4. Click the name of the computer next to Computer name, and then click Change.

  5. In the Computer name box, type RDCB1. In the Member of box, click the Domain option, type corp.contoso.com and then click OK.

  6. When you are prompted for a user name and password, provide the CORP\Administrator credentials, and then click OK.

  7. When you see a dialog box welcoming you to the corp.contoso.com domain, click OK.

  8. When you are prompted that you must restart the computer, click OK.

  9. On the System Properties dialog box, click Close, and then click Restart Now.

Windows PowerShell equivalent commands

The following Windows PowerShell cmdlet or cmdlets perform the same function as the preceding procedure. Enter each cmdlet on a single line, even though they may appear word-wrapped across several lines here because of formatting constraints.. Note that you must supply domain credentials after entering the Add-Computer command below.

Rename-Computer -NewName RDCB1
Restart-Computer
Add-Computer -DomainName corp.contoso.com
Restart-Computer

Step 5: Deploy Session Virtualization Standard

Deploying the required role services for the Session Virtualization standard deployment consists of the following procedures:

  • Add RDSH1, RDWA1, and RDCB1 to the server pool.

  • Deploy Session Virtualization standard deployment.

The following sections explain these procedures in detail.

Add RDSH1, RDWA1, and RDCB1 to the server pool

To add RDSH1, RDWA1, and RDCB1 to the server pool

  1. Log on to the RDCB1 server as the CORP\User1 user account.

  2. Server Manager will start automatically. If it does not start automatically, click Start, type servermanager.exe, and then click Server Manager.

  3. In the QUICK START section, click Add other servers to manage.

  4. In the Name (CN): box, type RDWA1 and then click Find Now.

  5. Click RDWA1 and then click the right arrow.

  6. Repeat steps 4 – 5 for the RDSH1 server.

  7. Click OK.

Deploy the Session Virtualization Standard deployment

The Session Virtualization standard deployment is deployed by using Server Manager.

To deploy Session Virtualization Standard

  1. Log on to the RDCB1 server as the CORP\User1 user account.

  2. Server Manager will start automatically. If it does not automatically start, click Start, type servermanager.exe, and then click Server Manager.

  3. In the QUICK START section, click Add roles and features.

  4. On the Before You Begin page of the Add Roles and Features Wizard, click Next.

  5. On the Select Installation Type page, click Remote Desktop Services installation, and then click Next.

  6. On the Select deployment type page, click Standard deployment, and then click Next.

  7. On the Select deployment scenario page, click Session based desktop deployment, and then click Next.

  8. On the Review role services page, click Next.

  9. On the Specify RD Connection Broker server page, click RDCB1.corp.contoso.com, click the right arrow, and then click Next.

  10. On the Specify RD Web Access server page, click RDWA1.corp.contoso.com, click the right arrow, and then click Next.

  11. On the Specify RD Session Host servers page, click RDSH1.corp.contoso.com, click the right arrow, and then click Next.

  12. On the Confirm selections page, select the Restart the destination server automatically if required check box, and then click Deploy.

  13. After the installation is complete, click Close.

Step 6: Create Session Collection

A Session Collection is created by using Server Manager.

Use the following procedures to create a Session Collection:

  • Create a Session Collection

The following sections explain these procedures in detail.

Create a session collection

To create a session collection

  1. Server Manager will start automatically. If it does not automatically start, click Start, type servermanager.exe, and then click Server Manager.

  2. On the left side of the window, click Remote Desktop Services.

  3. Click Collections.

  4. Click Tasks, and then click Create Session Collection.

  5. On the Before You Begin page of the Create Collection wizard, click Next.

  6. On the Name the collection page, type SessionCollection in the Name box, and then click Next.

  7. On the Specify RD Session Host servers page, select RDSH1, click the right arrow, and then click Next.

  8. On the Specify user groups page, accept the default selections, and then click Next.

  9. On the Specify user profile disks page, clear the Enable user profile disks check box, and then click Next.

  10. On the Confirm selections page, click Create.

  11. After the session collection is created, click Close.

Step 7: Test Remote Desktop Services Connectivity

You can ensure Session Virtualization standard deployment deployed successfully by connecting to the session collection that was created.

Note

If you plan on connecting to an RD Web Access server website from a server, you must turn off Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration by using Server Manager.

Use the following procedures to connect to the Session Virtualization deployment:

  • Connect to the session collection.

The following sections explain these procedures in detail.

Connect to the session collection

To test that the Session Virtualization standard deployment deployed and the session collection was created successfully, you log on to the RD Web Access server on the RDWA1 computer and connect to a session in the SessionCollection session collection.

To connect to the session collection

  1. Log on to the CLIENT1 computer as the CORP\User1 user account.

  2. Open Internet Explorer. To open Internet Explorer, click Start, and then click Internet Explorer.

  3. In the Internet Explorer address bar, type https://rdwa1.corp.contoso.com/RDWeb and then press Enter.

  4. Click Continue to this website (not recommended).

  5. In the Domain/user name box, type CORP\Administrator.

  6. In the Password box, type the password for the CORP\Administrator user account, and then click Sign in.

  7. Click SessionCollection, and then click Connect.

  8. Verify that the session-based desktop appears correctly.

Step 8: Snapshot the Configuration

This completes the Session Virtualization standard deployment test lab. To save this configuration so that you can quickly return to a working VDI Quick Start configuration from which you can test other Remote Desktop Services modular test lab guides (TLGs), TLG extensions, or for your own experimentation and learning, do the following:

  1. On all physical computers or virtual machines in the test lab, close all windows and then perform a graceful shutdown.

  2. If your lab is based on virtual machines, save a snapshot of each virtual machine and name the snapshots Session Virtualization standard deployment. If your lab uses physical computers, create disk images to save the Session Virtualization standard deployment test lab configuration.

Additional Resources