In this post we are going to cover how to install and configure Remote Desktop Services (RDS) in Windows Server 2012, this post will only cover how to get RD Licensing, RD Gateway & RD Session Host configured, we are not however going to cover Virtual Desktop Deployment or RemoteFX in this post.

Part 1 - Install and Configure Remote Desktop Services (RDS) in Windows Server 2012

1. We begin by launching Server Manager.

2. Click on Manager, Add Roles and Features.

3.  Click next on Before you begin page.

4. Select Role-based or feature-based installation.

5. Select the server you wish to install the Remote Desktop Services role on, Click Next.

6. Select Remote Desktop Services, Click Next.

7. Select any features if required, Click Next.

8. Read the Description, Click Next.

9. Select Remote Desktop Gateway, Remote Desktop Licensing, Remote Desktop Web Access, Click Next.

10. Click Next on Network Policy and Access Services.

11. Click on Next, leave the default selection on Network Policy Server.

12. Click Install.

13.  Close the wizard when finished.

Installation is complete. 

Part 2 - Configuring Remote Desktop Services (RDS) on Windows Server 2012

1. We begin the configuration by launching Remote Desktop Gateway Manager from Tools menu.

2. Select the Server name from the left pane it will give a warning that it’s not fully configured.

3. Select View or modify certificate properties.

4.  If you have a SSL Certificate you import it here. We are going to use a Self-Signed Certificate. Select Create and Import Certificate.

5. Click Ok, or change the save location.

6. In the Server Farm tab, Enter Server Name and click Add. Click on Apply to save settings.

7. Now we need to define Connection Authorization Policy. Select Create connection authorization policy.

8.  Enter a policy name.

9.  Under Requirements tab, click on Add Group for User Group Membership, and add Domain Users. Click on Apply & Ok.

10. Now we go back to the server name & create a resource authorization policy.

11. Enter a Policy name  & description.

12. In Users Group tab, add Domain Users as members who can connect to remote computers through RD Gateway.

13. Select Allow users to connect to any network resource, or specify a Group of resources (e.g. Domain Computers), Click Apply and Ok.

Part 3 - Activating Remote Desktop Licensing in Windows Server 2012

1. To Activate the Licensing Server, Launch Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.

2.  Right Click on the server and select activate server.

3. Click Next.

4. Choose your method of activation, I am choosing Web Browser, Click Next.

5. Click on the Link to open the activation page.

6. Select Activate a license server, Click Next.

7. Enter the required information. Click Next.

8. Verify the information, Click Next.

9. Copy the License server ID.

10. Paste the License server ID in the given field. Click Next.

11. Uncheck Start Install Licenses Wizard now. As we do not require any Client licenses. Click Finish.

We now have successfully activate Remote Desktop Licensing on Windows Server 2012.