Checklist: RD Session Host Installation Prerequisites

Updated: February 16, 2011

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2

This parent checklist includes cross-reference links to important concepts about the Remote Desktop Services design. It also contains links to subordinate checklists that will help you complete the tasks that are required to implement this design.

Note

Complete the tasks in this checklist in order. When a reference link takes you to a procedure, return to this topic after you complete the steps in that procedure so that you can proceed with the remaining tasks in this checklist.

This checklist provides tasks that an administrator should perform before installing and configuring an RD Session Host server.

Checklist: Remote Desktop Session Host installation prerequisites

	Task	Reference
	Determine if you need an RD Session Host server.	To allow remote connections for administrative purposes only, you do not have to install an RD Session Host server. For more information about remote connections for administrative purposes, see Using Remote Desktop.
	Review licensing requirements for an RD Session Host server.	Each user or computing device that connects to an RD Session Host server must have a valid Remote Desktop Services client access license (RDS CAL). An RD Session Host server running Windows Server 2008 R2 must be configured to use at least a license server running Windows Server 2008, and the license server must have valid RDS CALs installed. For more information about licensing requirements for Remote Desktop Services, see Licensing Remote Desktop Services in Windows Server 2008 R2.
	Decide which programs you want to host on the RD Session Host server.	You should install the RD Session Host role service on the computer before you install any programs that you want to make available to users. If you install the RD Session Host role service on a computer that already has programs installed, some of the existing programs may not work correctly in a multiple user environment. Uninstalling and then reinstalling the affected programs may resolve these issues. For more information, see Installing Programs on an RD Session Host Server.
	Review information about: Hardware requirements Capacity and scaling	For hardware requirements, see Remote Desktop Services. For capacity and scaling, see Remote Desktop Session Host Capacity Planning in Windows Server 2008 R2.
	Determine if you need to deploy a load-balanced RD Session Host server farm.	For more information about RD Connection Broker, see the Remote Desktop Services Design Guide.
	Determine the Remote Desktop licensing mode that the RD Session Host server will use.	The Remote Desktop licensing mode configured on an RD Session Host server must match the type of RDS CALs available on the Remote Desktop license server. For more information, see Configuring License Settings on an RD Session Host Server.
	Determine the Remote Desktop license server from which the RD Session Host server will request RDS CALs.	An RD Session Host server must be configured to specify a Remote Desktop license server from which to request RDS CALs for users or computing devices that are connecting to the RD Session Host server. For more information, see Configuring License Settings on an RD Session Host Server.
	Determine which users will be able to remotely connect to the RD Session Host server.	The Remote Desktop Users group on an RD Session Host server is used to give users and groups permission to log on remotely to an RD Session Host server. For more information, see Configuring the Remote Desktop Users Group.
	Determine if you need to deploy an RD Gateway server.	For more information about RD Gateway, see the Remote Desktop Services Design Guide.
	Determine if the RD Session Host server will require Network Level Authentication.	You can enhance RD Session Host server security by providing user authentication earlier in the connection process when a client connects to an RD Session Host server. This early user authentication method is referred to as Network Level Authentication. For more information, see Configuring the Network Level Authentication Setting for an RD Session Host Server.
	Review information about Windows Firewall.	The installation of the Remote Desktop Services role changes the configuration of Windows Firewall. For more information, see Remote Desktop Services and Windows Firewall.