What Is RDS?

RDS stands for Remote Desktop Services, which are a key component of Windows Server 2008. RDS allows users to both communicate with and access other machines virtually.

There are a number of different virtual tech services provided by RDS, including the ability to access external desktops, data center applications, session-based desktops, as well as data center apps from a corporate network and from the internet.

Remote Desktop Services are commonly used for the acceleration of both application and desktop deployments while allowing clients to run a wide selection of applications.

But what are all of the benefits of using Remote Desktop Services? The following will break down all you might need to know about RDS.

What Is RDS

RDS (Remote Desktop Services) Explained

So, how does RDS work? Essentially, the users connect to the Remote Desktop Services server, either locally or remotely. While the application is executed within the server, it’s displayed to the end-user.

This results in equal performance for both the local users and the remote users that are using the application.

When the applications in use are updated, they receive the patches on the servers, and when users connect to the server to run a said application, they will have received the upgraded version.

The Remote Desktop Services server can support a number of users within one server, and in RDS on Windows Server 7 there are multiple enhancements that enable numerous methods of connection.

These include Session Broker, Web Services, and Network Load Balancing.

The Benefits Of Using Remote Desktop Services

There are a number of benefits to using Remote Desktop Services.

They will allow you to deliver solutions to multiple devices, some of which might not possess the required processing power to run certain applications natively.

Another benefit is that you can use Windows-based applications on Android, iOS, thin client devices, or other devices using Windows.

Remote Desktop Services will allocate more compute resources to the application in use, which will mean that each user won’t have to upgrade their own device.

Naturally, this reduces the cost of the devices of the end-user. Remote Desktop Services also allow data to be stored within the cloud, so if the end user’s device breaks down or is lost, then the data won’t be affected.

Remote Desktop Services also reduce configuration time for new devices.

When users get back to work, they can simply reconnect back to the remote applications or remote desktops, because everything is delivered via the cloud and not stored within the local device.

The only potential downside to Remote Desktop Services is that the user needs to be connected to the Cloud, meaning that if they lose their internet connection briefly then they won’t be able to access either the Remote Desktop or the RemoteApp.

This is unlikely to be a problem for most, though, considering internet connectivity tends to be the norm.

What’s The Difference Between Remote Desktops and RemoteApps?

What’s The Difference Between Remote Desktops and RemoteApps

Within the virtualization environments provided by Remote Desktop Services, there’s flexibility when it comes to what exactly you want users to have access to.

Both Remote Desktops and RemoteApps are available, and there are a few major differences between the two.

Remote Desktops will give the user the full desktop experience, meaning they can install a number of applications that they can then manage.

This option would be best for the kind of user that relies on these computers to be their main workstation, or for users that come from thin clients like MultiPoint Services.

RemoteApps, on the other hand, allow users access to specific, individual applications.

These apps are hosted by the virtualized machine, but on the users’ desktops, it will appear as if they are running the applications on their local devices.

The remote applications will each have their own specified taskbar entry, and they can be resized or moved across multiple monitors.

This would be the best option if you’re deploying or managing applications within the remote environment, while also letting users both work from and customize their desktops.

Overall, both Remote Desktops and RemoteApps are cost-effective, secure, and flexible solutions.

What Are The Differences Between Remote Desktop Services And DaaS (Desktop-As-A-Service)?

Another popular approach to remote desktops is DaaS (Desktop-as-a-Service). There are a number of differences between this approach and Remote Desktop Services.

At their core, Remote Desktop Services and DaaS both lead to the same result: desktop environments remotely accessible to users across the network. The main differences are in how this result is achieved.

The first difference is in the host machine. When it comes to Remote Desktop Services, a server running the Windows Server operating system is required, as well as a Windows Server license.

This is the only way to create guest environments to be shared across the network. DaaS, on the other hand, does not require Windows Server.

Another difference concerns availability. With Remote Desktop Services, when the host server is down because of a power outage or for any other reason, you will no longer have access to the desktop environments.

With DaaS, the entire cloud service would need to go down to affect the availability of the cloud desktops. Also, while Remote Desktop Services require a VPN, DaaS does not.

Security is also a notable difference. DaaS essentially lets you build an isolated virtual machine for all of the desktops that you want to be hosting.

A security issue within one of the machines will have no effect on the other machines.

With Remote Desktop Services there is more risk of security issues spilling over into other machines, decreasing their overall security.

Conclusion: What Is RDS?

RDS stands for Remote Desktop Services, which is a platform for creating virtualization solutions to suit the needs of each end-user. The main reason it’s such a popular solution is that it’s cost-effective, flexible, and secure.

There are benefits to using the other popular approach (DaaS), but RDS is a solid solution.

Albert Niall
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