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I am trying to retrofit an existing VM that runs Windows Server 2008 R2 to allow some application testing.

What I need is to support Aero over Remote Desktop. I have read that to do that I need the Desktop Session Host (RDSH) role.

But the tutorials I have seen for that involve active directory and the domain controller. Interaction with either of those requires paperwork and a lot of wait time at my company.

Is there some way I can turn this one without needing elevated rights to either of those?

(I have basic "ASK" rights for Active Directory and the VM is part of the domain already.)

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Are you an administrator on that server? The challenging thing is that RDSH requires terminal server CALs. TSCALs generally need to be implemented domain-wide. –  Zoredache Dec 19 '12 at 0:39
@Zoredache - I am an Admin on that server. (I am a software developer and it is a Dev Only Server.) –  Vaccano Dec 19 '12 at 16:03

1 Answer 1

Not sure why you need to enable the RD Session Host role. I was able to enable Aero by just installing the Desktop Experience features on my server. That being said, it made things VERY slow over remote connections on our internet connection.

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How are you defining remote connections here? Within our office, connecting from Windows 7 Clients the performance seems to be fine. Even at my home over my broadband connection it isn't that bad. –  Zoredache Dec 19 '12 at 0:40
Desktop Experience below 10mbit is not supported bprioer to 2012. RemoteFX WAN is needed (2012, graphics Card) for that. This is a documentated Limitation - RemoteFX is a "local area onily" tech Prior to 2012. –  TomTom Dec 19 '12 at 4:44
@Zoredache Sorry, updated the answer to clarify as over the internet connection. –  Brent Pabst Dec 19 '12 at 13:32
@TomTom I don't know about that mbps limitation, we only had a 20 down, 10 up that if it was lucky achieved 18 down and 8 up. (FiOS) Aero worked and displayed, the issue was simply the extra data that had to be rendered and then shipped to the client. It didn't prevent us from turning it on though. –  Brent Pabst Dec 19 '12 at 13:33
Well, specs are clear. in 2012 that is removed - it is usable fully over internet, with very good scaling. YOu have not seen proper rremote desktop until you experienced the changes they did - HUGH. –  TomTom Dec 19 '12 at 15:14

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