Making local resources available to a terminal server

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Making local resources available to a terminal server

Depending on the Group Policy settings on the network, you can choose whether to allow a terminal server to have access to the disk drives, serial ports, printers, or smart card on your local computer. This is called resource redirection. Unless Group Policy settings prohibit resource redirection, you can redirect local resources to the terminal server by checking the appropriate checkbox in the Local devices section on the Local Resources tab in Remote Desktop Connection.

Making these resources available to a terminal server means that they can be used by that terminal server for the duration of the session. For example, suppose you choose to make your local disk drive available to the terminal server. While this allows you to easily copy files to or from the terminal server, it also means that the terminal server has access to the contents of your local disk drive. If there are times when this would not be appropriate, you can uncheck the appropriate checkbox to keep your local disk drive, or any other local resource, from being redirected to the terminal server.

By default, resource redirection for disk drives, serial ports, and smart cards is turned off. To turn on resource redirection, see Make your local serial port available in a session, Make your local disk drives available in a session, and Make a smart card available in a session.