Windows Server multi-user remote desktop connection

Working modes for remote desktop connection

Mode 1: Default mode

By default, Windows Server supports remote desktop connections based on the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). It allows up to two users to connect to the server remotely simultaneously. You do not need to configure additional licensing services or purchase Remote Desktop Client Access Licenses (RDS CALs). By default, a user can establish only one RDP session at a time. If a user with an active session starts a new one, the previous session is disconnected. To create new users for remote connections, see Add more users for remote connections.

Mode 2: Multi-user remote desktop mode

To allow an unlimited number of users to access the remote desktop simultaneously, you can install and configure Remote Desktop Services (RDS) on the instance.

Alibaba Cloud ECS does not provide RDS CALs. You must purchase and configure them separately from Microsoft. For more information, see Activate Remote Desktop Services (RDS) licenses for a Windows Server instance. RDS CALs offer two licensing modes. Choose one based on your needs:

• Per Device: Licenses are assigned per device. Each device that accesses the server requires a separate CAL. This mode is suitable for scenarios with a small number of shared devices, such as in fixed office environments or at shared workstations.

• Per User: Licenses are assigned per user. Each user requires only one CAL and can access the server from any number of devices. This mode is suitable for scenarios with a fixed number of users who use multiple devices, such as for remote work or frequent device switching.

Use case

A research and development department uses a Windows Server ECS instance to run design software and store data. Employees access the server remotely to collaborate.

1. Default mode

   Initially, in the default mode of Windows Server, the team found that the system only supported two employees connecting remotely simultaneously. This was insufficient for their daily work needs.

2. Configure Remote Desktop Services

   A technical engineer configured RDS. After the configuration, all employees could connect to the remote desktop simultaneously. For more information, see Configure Windows multi-user remote desktop connection.

3. Encountering a remote session interruption

   After some time, an employee tried to connect to the server and received an error: "The remote session was disconnected because there are no Remote Desktop License Servers available to provide a license." After they contacted technical support, they learned that the 120-day free trial for RDS had expired.

4. Resolving the problem

   To support long-term multi-user access, the company purchased and activated 20 Per User RDS CALs. Employees could then connect to the remote desktop normally. For more information, see Activate Remote Desktop Services (RDS) licenses for a Windows Server instance.

   If two remote connection sessions are sufficient for your work requirements, you can remove the Remote Desktop Session Host service to restore the system to the free default mode. For more information, see the first solution in What do I do if the error "No Remote Desktop License Servers available to provide a license" appears when I connect to a Windows instance?

Common scenarios and solutions