Terminal Services Server

Microsoft Terminal Services is now

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services

Accelerate and extend desktop and application deployments from the data center to any device with Microsoft Remote Desktop Services aka Microsoft Terminal Services (RDS), one of the core virtualization technologies available in Windows Server 2008 R2. In addition to the traditional session virtualization scenario (formerly known as “Terminal Services”), Microsoft Remote Desktop Services aka Microsoft Terminal Services has expanded its role to provide an extensible platform for a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI).

New in Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1, Microsoft RemoteFX introduces a fresh set of remote user experience capabilities that enable a media-rich user environment for virtual desktops and applications accessed from a broad range of client devices, improving remote worker productivity.

Product Details

When using RDS, administrators can present users with the individual applications and data they require to complete their task, or the whole remote desktop. From a user perspective, these applications are integrated seamlessly—looking, feeling, and behaving like local applications.

Customer Perspectives and Case Studies

How can Microsoft products and services help your business succeed? Case studies provide the proof points you need to plan and deploy effective virtualization solutions. Learn from similar organizations in your industry, and see why they are choosing RDS to achieve highly effective virtual environments.

Technical Resources

To understand how RDS can add value to your organization, it is useful to understand the functionality provided using the following scenarios or solutions. The solutions relate to both the type of employee base you are working with (location) as well as factors which need to be considered by the IT department (management). Discover the many benefits of the RDS capabilities in Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 and access the technical resources and links to get your team started.

Community and Partners

Whether you're considering which product and technologies to use, or need support for solutions you’ve implemented, Community Resources provide powerful options to learn from other IT professionals and developers who have implemented a wide range of RDS solutions. Find our software and hardware partners for RDS and Microsoft RemoteFX on the Microsoft PinPoint site.

RDS Overview

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services aka Microsoft Terminal Services (RDS) in Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 provides the ideal platform for companies to implement a centralized desktop strategy, helping organizations improve flexibility and compliance while improving data security and IT’s ability to manage desktops and applications.

RDS is a centralized desktop and application platform solution that uses session virtualization and VDI technologies, offering powerful opportunities for IT to deliver and manage corporate desktops and to respond to users’ needs in a flexible way. RDS is the new name for Terminal Services, and reflects the expanded role in Windows Server 2008 R2 so that you can run the desktop or applications in the datacenter while your users can be anywhere.

Virtualization with RDS

RDS allows you to install and manage session-based desktops and applications, or VDI desktops on centralized servers in the data center. With RDS screen images are delivered to the users, and the users' client machines in turn send keystrokes and mouse movements back to the server. When using Remote Desktop Services, administrators can present users with an entire desktop environment, or with their individual applications and data which they require to complete their task. From a user perspective, these applications are integrated seamlessly—looking, feeling, and behaving like local applications. Learn more about Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) as an alternative desktop delivery model that allows users to access desktops running in the datacenter.

High Fidelity End User Experience with Microsoft RemoteFX

Microsoft RemoteFX, a new feature of RDS delivered in Windows Server 2008 R2 with SPI introduces a new set of remote user experience capabilities that enable a media-rich user environment for virtual and session-based desktops. RemoteFX lets IT administrators deliver a rich media desktop experience including broad support for USB peripherals to end-users with virtual desktops. Using new protocol enhancements between Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 and Windows 7 SPI, end users can now access virtual machines on a wide variety of target devices and still get a rich graphics experience with server-side graphics processing.

RDS Business Value

The platform capabilities found in Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, RDS can be a cost-effective solution for any type of organization, particularly those with a mobile workforce, structured task workers, or knowledge workers with a need for flexible desktop or application access, including contractors, offshore workers and office workers who require a free seating environment or have a need to work from home. Regardless of the size of your organization, deploying RDS can provide the flexibility and functionality needed to deliver real business value to your business.

Remote Desktop Services Solution Benefits

Accelerate Desktop & Application Deployment

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services aka Microsoft Terminal Services accelerates and extends deployment of desktops and applications to a wide array of client devices, helping make your organization more agile and responsive. RDS also enables flexible work scenarios such as hot-desking and work from home.