Learning Windows Server 2003

10.4. Enabling Remote Desktop

As I mentioned earlier in this chapter, Remote Desktop mode is a special Terminal Services feature that enables you to open an RDP session as a single user to a specific machine and use its interface as though you were directly in front of it. This is useful if you're not looking to host applications for multiuser access but simply want a way to avoid walking to the server closet.

Windows Server 2003 comes installed with everything you need to use RDP to administer a server remotely, but as a security precaution, the service is turned off. It's easy to turn it back on, and it follows the same pattern that you use to turn on Remote Desktop in Windows XP versions as well. To turn it back on, follow these steps:

1. Open the System applet in the Control Panel.

2. Navigate to the Remote tab.

3. Under the section at the bottom called Remote Desktop, check the checkbox labeled Allow users to connect remotely to this computer.

4. Click Apply, and then click OK.

Windows will display a dialog box that reminds you that it disables RDP access to accounts that have no password. This is to protect your computer from being invaded by Internet crackers. You also might want to ensure that if you're using a firewall, port 3389 is open and port forwarding is configured if required by your router/firewall.

Once Remote Desktop mode is enabled, up to two administrative users can connect to the server simultaneously and use it as though they were sitting in front of it. The remainder of this chapter will focus on Terminal Services mode, where more users can connect and use the server as a true application server.