The writer of the article is Roman print Levchenko ( www.rlevchenko.com ), MVP - Cloud and Datacenter Management

The release of Windows Server 2016 is getting closer and closer, and we continue to consider the most important innovations of the next release. Today we wish focus happening one of the most democratic roles - Remote Desktop Services or RDS (Remote Desktop Services).
Before diving into the world of the new, I recommend that you familiarize yourself with the list of those features that Windows Waiter 2012/2012 R2 provides . If everything is in the subject, then let's return to the main level and study a closer view WS 2016 RDS in detail.

Multipoint Services

MultiPoint Server (MPS) is a technology and solution supported Windows Server and RDS to furnish canonical remote screen background functionality. IT is positioned for use in classrooms Oregon institutions where there are no large requirements for load and scalability. The peculiarity is that user Stations of the Cross can lie just of a monitor, keyboard and computer mouse ("zero" clients) and touch base directly to the MPS server via USB hubs, telecasting cables or LAN (RDP-ended-LAN, if the client is, for example, a laptop or thin client). As a result, the end substance abuser gets a inexpensive solution to provide desktop functionality with perfectly minimal costs for user end stations.

The for the first time version of System of macrophage, released in February 2010, had the ability to connect stations only through specialized USB hubs and video ports.

The old to all of us ability to connect via RDP was added only in the next version of MPS 2011, which was released in March 2011. Additionally to RDP-all over-LAN, MPS 2011 was updated as follows:

RemoteFX Support
Virtualization brook
Projecting a desktop from one station to other (for example, the desktop of a trainer Oregon teacher is duplicated happening user stations)
Ability to cut back filter-based Cyberspace access
Unaccessible application launch, peripheral lock (keyboard, pussyfoot) happening associated stations

In the succeeding and, at the moment, the latest translation of MPS 2012 were added:

New console for centralized desk management
Protective the system partition from unwanted changes
MPS Connecter client for monitoring and managing stations, including tablets

Licensing resembles full RDS. It is still needful to certify apiece end station and have server MPS licenses, which differ in the editions:

Name of Editorial	Standard	Premium
Amoun of affined stations	To 10	Up to 20
Virtualization	Non	Yes
Number of Mainframe (Sockets)	1	2
Max. storage	32 GB	Outright
Domain Connectedness	Not	Yes

The main types of stations MultiPoint Services

Atomic number 3 mentioned above, MPS supports not simply the classic RDP, but also makes IT possible to tie in "zero" clients ( Wyse 1000 can be an example ) in the following slipway:

Direct connexion to the video card of the headend
In the reckon, 4 client stations are connected straightaway to the primary station via USB and, for instance, VGA ports. Patently, this typecast of connection implies the corresponding requirements for the hardware contour of the headend and is not applicable in some scenarios (scale, distance, mobility)
USB connection
The figure below shows the fundamental interaction of the capital station (a station that is connected directly to the MPS and is exploited for the initial contour, regardless of the scenario) and two "zero" clients contiguous via USB hubs (case: All-knowing 1000 ). Unequal the first method acting, we do not need to additionally estimate the contour of the video subsystem of the MPS server to human body the required number of picture outputs. Simply due to the limited distance 'tween the Stations of the Cross and the MPS (for Dell Wise 1000 ~ 5 meters), it is recommended to consumption in small suite with a small number of cease users.
Using USB-Over-Ethernet
A more ascendable connection typecast. Instead of USB-to-USB, USB forwarding via LAN is victimised, thereby providing the opportunity to progress an MPS system in tremendous premises (client example: Wise 1003 )

And what most Windows Server 2016?

The functionality described above has been in full ported to Windows Server 2016 (currently Technical Preview 4 ). MultiPoint Server is now a new type of RDS deployment.

In that location is no data happening licensing such a deployment scheme in 2016 however. I mean that the licensing scheme for MPS 2012 will be partially transferred to WS 2016, and the editions of MPS wish be abolished.

Deployment litigate

For veteran engineers operating theater administrators who are already familiar the RDS configuration subprogram As part of VDI or Session-Based solutions, the process of setting up and using MPS will seem simpler and faster. This is as wel a plus, given the mark interview of the Mononuclear phagocyte system.

There are 3 ways to install MultiPoint Services: direct Host Manager (role-based), Powershell, and finished RDS Installation.

A quick walk finished the first two and then march on to the basic MPS apparatus cognitive process.

Using Server Manager and installing roles, select MultiPoint Services, take on the installation of extra components, and continue to the next step.
You can read again what MPS is. It is worth noting that RD Licensing will need to cost activated after the System of macrophage form.
Together with the main MPS help, Print and Document Services are additionally deployed, the purpose of which, I hope, is known to everyone. Nothing interesting, go boost.
We leave everything arsenic default.
- Print Server - essential for managing multiple printers
- Distributed Scan Server - Manage and ploughshare scanners that support Distributed Scan Management
- Cyberspace Printing - net admittance to printing machine jobs with the ability to air documents to print through the Internet Printing Communications protocol
- LPD Divine service - The Line Pressman Daemon table service provides the power for UNIX clients to get off print tasks to acquirable printers using the Line-at-a-time printer Remote service.
We do not need a full-fledged RDS, so we impart the default values proposed.
Afterward confirmation, the server bequeath go to reboot and, victimisation the first station, information technology bequeath be necessity to make water the required configuration at the first start of the MPS. At the metre of set up, IT will be proposed to identify the primary station (past pressing the "B" nam), after which the server will switch to the RDS / MPS inspection and repair configuration mode.

System of macrophage will impart a WmsShell report to support multi-base operation and make over a WmsOperators radical to create access to the Dashboard.

All 6 points can be "squeezed" to 1 command in PowerShell:

Go to the MPS Manager.

From my remote station I want to configure access to MPS via RDP-over-Local area network. To do this, add a new MPS user account.

From the sharpen of view of MPS, there are 3 types of users: a standard user to entree MPS, a user to superintend user sessions, and an administrator. In point of fact, this is an FALSE of a congested-fledged RBAC (Role Based Access Control).

So, the exploiter is added. Let's check the connection. Using MSTSC and RDP features, I connect to the MPS server using the account indicated above. The first prison term each user connects to the MPS, a message will Be displayed:"To assist you with your usage of this computer, your activities may be monitored by your system administrator / To help you use this computer, your actions will be monitored by the system executive."

After confirmation, a new final session bequeath atomic number 4 created for the user, while the administrator wish be able to manage the user sitting online using the MPS Dashboard.

Let's move on to the Mononuclear phagocyte system Dashboard (separate console). The main set forth of the console will be occupied by dynamically dynamical miniskirt-screens of user Sessions. Information technology reminds me of a screen of the security serving for monitoring television signals from cameras, just MPS allows us not only to observe what is happening in drug user Sessions, but as wel to really manage and change them (take hold, block stations or tiro log out, beam IM to selected users, block USB devices or remotely launch / neighbouring applications).

E.g., with from each one user post and its session, we can do the tailing:

Unlock / shut away the station and display a message on the screen of a specific station;
restrict web access away specifying a list of allowed operating theater verboten URLs;
project your desktop on guest stations;

If you whirl back to the MPS Manager, you john see that the connected station is displayed in the Stations tabloid, where you can additionally manage the selected Stations.

The settings of the MPS itself are located on the start contribution of House. For instance, we can turn off notifications that the session is non private, so that users do not have additional questions :)

Multi-Sitting mode carries some security risks, consequently it is assertable to protect the system drive from unwanted changes. To enable Disk Protection, only one click and verification.

If you take up an application that requires a client environs, in or s cases a complete environment, and so this is achieved in MPS by enabling Virtual Desktops. The rule of operation is similar to the pooled ingathering in a full-fledged VDI. To each one "virtualized station" will be created from the template and roll back changes after each user logs out of the arrangement. As you can see, the full functionality of VDI is not achieved, but still the very presence of such an opportunity expands the ambit of MPS.

FAQ

How to remove MPS services aright?

Delete the role through Host Managing director, restart the server and run the script .

What about the PowerShell module for MPS?

There is presently no separate module. In my view, the existent module for RDS will constitute updated to support MPS management.

conclusions

Moving the functionality of MultiPoint Server to Windows Server 2016 is a quite interesting and useful solution, which should revive the applicability of MPS on the dot in those scenarios in which it is recommended to be put-upon. In increase to authoritative training classes, MPS toilet also be used by partners to provide demo stands OR show suite, independent trainers and other professionals whose goal is to correctly convey information to students or customers.

Thanks for care!