RDS: The alternative server name must resolve to the IP address of the redirection server

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012

This topic is intended to address a specific issue identified by a Best Practices Analyzer scan. You should apply the information in this topic only to computers that have had the Remote Desktop Services Best Practices Analyzer run against them and are experiencing the issue addressed by this topic. For more information about best practices and scans, see Best Practices Analyzer.

Issue

The alternative server name does not have a valid DNS entry, or the DNS entry does not resolve to the same IP address as the Remote Desktop Session Host server running in redirection mode.

Impact

The alternative server name must resolve to the IP address of the Remote Desktop Session Host server running in redirection mode. If it does not, RDC 6.1 and earlier clients will not be able to connect.

Resolution

The alternative server name is specified by using Remote Desktop Connection Manager on the Remote Desktop Connection Broker server.

A DNS host record must exist and resolve to the IP address of the alternative server name. The alternative server name is the same as the Remote Desktop Session Host (RD Session Host) server running in redirection mode.

Membership in the Domain Admins, Enterprise Admins, or the DnsAdmins group, or equivalent, is required to complete this procedure.

To verify that a DNS host record exists for the alternative server name

1. Open the DNS snap-in. To open the DNS snap-in, log on to a computer where the DNS snap-in has been installed, click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click DNS.

2. Expand the server name of the DNS server that you want to configure, expand Forward Lookup Zones, and then expand the domain name.

3. Verify that a DNS host record exists for the RD Session Host server running in redirection mode.

4. If the DNS host record exists, double-click the entry and confirm that the IP address matches the name of the RD Session Host server running in redirection mode.

5. In the IP address box, type the IP address of the RD Session Host server that is configured to provide redirection to virtual desktops.

6. If the DNS host record does not exist, do the following:

   1. Right-click the domain name.

   2. Right-click the appropriate zone, and then click New Host (A or AAAA).

   3. In the Name (uses parent domain name if blank) box, type the alternative server name.

   4. In the IP address box, type the IP address of the RD Session Host server that is configured to provide redirection to virtual desktops.

   5. Click Add Host.

7. When you are finished, click Done.

See Also

Concepts

Best Practices Analyzer for Remote Desktop Services: Configuration
Best Practices Analyzer for Remote Desktop Services