Windows Server : Configuring TS RemoteApp

Benefits of TS RemoteApp include:

• Provide applications from a central location to remote offices

• Support branch offices with inadequate IT staff to offer system administration

• Install applications centrally and access from anywhere

• Manage frequently updated, difficult to manage, or infrequently used applications efficiently

• Improve performance even under limited network-bandwidth scenarios

• Offer applications through hand-held devices (such as Windows mobile powered phones/PDAs) with RDC Client

• Allow multiple versions of same applications to exist (in some scenarios that demand such co-existence)

Configuring TS RemoteApp

Configuring TS RemoteApp includes installing applications in a terminal-server aware mode (on the Terminal Server), enabling remote control configuration, configuring application parameters, adding users, and publishing it on TS Web for Web access.

To install an application in the Terminal Server mode:

1.	Click Start | Control Panel and double-click on Install Application on Terminal Server (see Figure 1). It is recommended to install any new applications only after installing terminal services on the server. Microsoft applications (.msi packages) are terminal services aware and can be installed directly without going through the Install Application on Terminal Server option. Figure 1. Windows 2008 Control Panel Option to Install Applications on Terminal Server
2.	Click Next on the Install program From Floppy Disk or CD-ROM screen of the wizard (see Figure 2). Figure 2. Installing Applications on Terminal Server
3.	Type the location of the set-up file of the application (for example, d:\setup.exe) or click on Browse to locate the set-up file.
4.	Wait until the installation of the software completes. The Finish button will turn gray until the application completes the installation. Do not close this screen until the Finish button becomes active (see Figure 3). Click Finish to complete the installation. Now you can use TS Remote App manager to publish the application you have installed.

To verify the remote connection settings:

1.	Click Start | Run, and then type control system into the Open box. This will open the System tool (see Figure 4). Figure 4. Windows 2008 System Tool
2.	Click on Remote Settings under Tasks.
3.	Click the Remote tab.
4.	Select Allow connections from computers running any version of Remote Desktop (less secure) (see Figure 5). This will allow remote desktop connections from your present setup consisting of Windows XP clients. This option is also preferred when you are not sure about the RDP client versions that may connect to your network. If your network consists of Windows Vista and Windows 2008 or Windows XP with the latest RDP client, you can choose the more secure option, Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (more secure). Figure 5. Remote Desktop Configuration
5.	Click on Select Users and then click Add. Locate the Users or User groups (see Figure 6) and double-click to add. Figure 6. RDP Users Configuration
6.	Click OK to complete the configuration.

To add an application to the RemoteApp Programs:

1.	Click Start | Administrative Tools | Terminal Services, and then select TS RemoteApp Manager (see Figure 7). Figure 7. TS RemoteApp Manager
2.	Click on Add RemoteApp Programs from the Actions pane (right). This will start the RemoteApp wizard.
3.	Click Next.
4.	Click on the check boxes on the left of the applications you want to publish for remote access. For this exercise we’ve installed Microsoft Word 2007 (see Figure 8). Figure 8. Choosing Applications For Remote Access
5.	Click on Properties (see Figure 9). Figure 9. Configuration Applications For Remote Access
6.	Select the RemoteApp program is available through TS Web Access check box. This will enable the application to be accessed by the users through Terminal Service Web Access (discussed later in this chapter).
7.	You also have the option to Change Icon (if required).
8.	Click Finish after you review the settings on the Review Settings screen. On the main screen of RemoteApp Manager now you can see Microsoft Office Word 2007 added to the RemoteApp Programs list. Repeat these steps to publish all the applications that require remote access.