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Connecting to your Windows Virtual Server using Remote Desktop

Overview

In order to manage your Windows Virtual Server, you will need to connect to it using Remote Desktop Protocol, also called Remote Desktop or RDP. To use RDP, you must have a Remote Desktop Connection client. This is an application you will run on your local computer or handheld device, and connect to the desktop of your Windows Server.

There are Remote Desktop Connection clients available for most modern operating systems, including Windows XP Pro and above, Mac OS X, Linux/UNIX, iOS and Android. There is also a Console available in the Customer Portal.

To connect to your Windows Virtual Server using an RDP client, you will need to have Administrator access. You may also need to install an RDP client on your local PC computer or handheld device, or configure an existing RDP client if one is already installed.

Your Windows VS allows two concurrent Remote Desktop connections by default, one as Administrator and one as Guest. If you need more than two concurrent RDP connections to your Windows VS, you will need to purchase a license for EACH user connecting to the VS. Please contact eApps Sales for more information if needed.

Table of Contents

General Instructions

Using a Windows PC

Using a Mac OS X PC

Using a Windows, Android, or iOS Handheld Device

Using a Linux Device

Using the Console from your Customer Portal

General Instructions

The procedure for connecting to your Windows Server is the same on all PCs and devices you use, except for some differences in how to use the RDP Client for that device. The following general instructions apply to all devices.

1. Open your RDP client

2. Input your Server's IP address. e.g.(IP: '127.0.0.1')

3. Input your Credentials e.g.(user: 'Administrator', password: 'YourPasswordHere')

4. Connect to your Server.

5. (Optional) Dismiss the security prompt.

6. You are now connected to your server.

Using a Windows PC

The Windows Remote Desktop Client is available for all versions of Windows starting with Windows XP Professional SP3. The software is installed by default.

In the search box on the taskbar, type 'Remote Desktop Connection' or 'mstsc' and then select Remote Desktop Connection. In Remote Desktop Connection, type the IP of the server you want to connect to and then select Connect.

You will be asked for your credentials, which should be an account with Administrator privileges.

You might get a warning stating the following:

   "The identity of the remote computer cannot be verified. Do you want to connect anyway ?"

This warning can be ignored, you can tick the checkbox at the bottom:

   "Don't ask me again for connections to this computer"

Then you can click 'Yes' and you will be connected to your server.

Links:

How to use Remote Desktop: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/how-to-use-remote-desktop-5fe128d5-8fb1-7a23-3b8a-41e636865e8c

Using a Mac OS X PC

To connect to your Windows Virtual Server from Mac OS X, you will need to install a Remote Desktop Connection client. eApps recommends the official Remote Desktop Connection client from Microsoft, but other clients exist and can easily be found online.

Inside the Mac App Store, type "Microsoft Remote Desktop" into the search bar at the top right-hand portion of the window. The option you want is an orange icon with a computer monitor on it. It should be the first option listed.

To begin downloading Microsoft Remote Desktop, click the blue "Get" button. This app is free, so no price will be listed. Once you click on "Get," the button will turn green and say "Install app." Click the button again.

Once you open the App, click the "New" button at the top left of the Microsoft Remote Desktop screen. You'll be prompted to fill in a few fields.

Once you have filled in the 'PC Name' field with your server's IP address and your credentials under the corresponding fields and you are finished configuring your remote desktop, click the red close button at the top left of the dialog box and your new remote desktop will be added. To start a session with that desktop, simply double-click it to begin.

This logs you into the Windows VS and takes you to the desktop, where you can now manage your VS.

If you want to edit, duplicate, export, or delete that remote connection, right-click (control + click) on the desktop name to access those options.

Links:

Microsoft Remote Desktop in AppStore: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-remote-desktop/id1295203466?mt=12

Official Microsoft documentation: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/clients/remote-desktop-mac

Using a Windows, Android, or iOS handheld device

Open the Remote Desktop app (available for free from Microsoft Store, Google Play, and the Mac App Store), and add the IP of the server that you want to connect to.  Select the remote PC name or IP that you added, and then wait for the connection to complete.

Links:

Windows App: https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/p/microsoft-remote-desktop/9wzdncrfj3ps

Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.rdc.androidx

iOS App: https://apps.apple.com/app/microsoft-remote-desktop/id714464092

Using a Linux/UNIX device

We recommend that you use the remote desktop client called Remmina. Note that this software only works on Linux distributions that have a graphical user interface.

Ubuntu has Remmina installed by default, to install it on other distros (CentOS, etc.), check the Link below.

To quickly start a remote access, select the RDP protocol, type the hostname or IP address of the computer you want to connect to (e.g. 10.0.0.251) and hit Enter.

If it’s the first time you connect to this Windows Server, Remmina asks whether to trust its certificate, click Yes.

On the next screen, enter your User name and Password on the remote computer. Also provide the Domain, if necessary. Optionally, you can choose to Save password. Click OK.

Now you are connected to your server.

Links:

Remmina RDP Client: https://remmina.org/how-to-install-remmina/

Using the Virtual Server Console in the Customer Portal

Your eApps Customer Portal has a built-in console to access your Windows Virtual Server. The console can be found on details page for your Windows Virtual Server. Click on the console link and login as Administrator.