Create a Terminal Services Connection

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

By default, a connection is automatically created and enabled on a computer running Windows Server 2008, even if the Terminal Server role service is not installed on the computer. This connection is named RDP-Tcp and only allows a maximum of two simultaneous remote connections to the computer.

When you install the Terminal Server role service on the computer, the RDP-Tcp connection is changed to allow an unlimited number of simultaneous remote connections. For more information about configuring the number of simultaneous remote connections that a connection will allow, see Configure the Number of Simultaneous Remote Connections Allowed for a Connection.

Only one Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connection can be configured for each network adapter installed on the terminal server. Typically, the default RDP-Tcp connection is the only connection needed to support remote administration of the server or to support the Terminal Server role service. If you want to configure additional connections that use RDP, you must install an additional network adapter for each RDP connection that you want to create.

Use the following procedure to create a new connection.

Membership in the local Administrators group, or equivalent, on the terminal server that you plan to configure, is the minimum required to complete this procedure. Review details about using the appropriate accounts and group memberships at Local and Domain Default Groups (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=83477).

To create a new connection

  1. Open Terminal Services Configuration. To open Terminal Services Configuration, click Start, point to Administrative Tools, point to Terminal Services, and then click Terminal Services Configuration.

  2. On the Action menu, click Create New Connection.

  3. On the Welcome page of the Terminal Services Connection Wizard, click Next.

  4. On the Connection Protocol page, type the name for the connection. You cannot have two connections with the same name on the computer.

  5. If there is more than one Connection Type available on the computer, select the appropriate one for your environment.

    You cannot have more than one of the same Connection Type assigned to a given network adapter.

  6. Click Next.

  7. On the Network Adapter page, do the following:

    • Select the network adapter that the connection will use. If you want the connection to use all network adapters available on the computer, select All network adapters configured with this protocol.

    • Select the number of simultaneous remote connections that the connection will support.

  8. Click Next, and then on the Summary page, click Finish. The new connection will appear under Connections on the main page of Terminal Services Configuration.

Additional references