Remote Desktop Services (RDS), known as Terminal Services in Windows Server 2008 and earlier, is one of the components of Microsoft Windows that allows a user to take control of a remote computer or virtual machine over a network connection. RDS is Microsoft’s implementation of thin client, where Windows software and the entire desktop of the computer running RDS are made accessible to a remote client machine that supports Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).

With Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8, Microsoft introduced RDP 8.0. The protocol evolved in RDP 8.1 with Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1. Compared to previous releases, there have been several changes to both the administrative experience and user experience.

Document Purpose

This deployment guide provides instructions on how to configure the LoadMaster to load balance the various Microsoft RDS roles in Windows Server 2012 R2.

The RDS Load Balancing Scenarios section discusses the various scenarios in which the LoadMaster can be used. The Deploying the Scenarios section explains the process of setting up load balancing for those scenarios. The References section contains a summary of useful resources regarding RDS (and load balancing RDS) in general.

Intended Audience

Anyone interested in configuring the LoadMaster to load balance RDS.