Home > Articles

Administering Windows Server 2003 Remotely

This chapter is from the book

In This Chapter

  • Using Remote Desktop for Administration

  • Taking Advantage of Windows Server 2003 Administration Tools

  • Using Out-Of-Band Remote Administration Tools for Emergency Administration

  • Using and Configuring Remote Assistance

  • Securing and Monitoring Remote Administration

  • Delegating Remote Administration

  • Administering IIS in Windows Server 2003 Remotely

Best Practice

bootcfg.exe Syntax

There are several methods by which system administrators can manage the IT environment's server resources. Though it is possible to manage each server locally, managing these resources remotely can greatly improve productivity. Remote administration reduces the administrative overhead required to manage servers in any size IT organization because it provides the flexibility for administrators to be centrally located while managing distributed server resources.

Windows Server 2003 provides the tools necessary for administrators to perform a vast array of management functions on remotely located servers. Server application and operating system upgrades can be performed remotely, as well as domain controller promotion/demotion and disk defragmentation.

This chapter describes the tools available for administrators to manage Windows Server 2003 servers remotely and provides best practices for leveraging remote administration features.

Using Remote Desktop for Administration

Remote Desktop for Administration is one mode of the Terminal Services built into Windows Server 2003. Terminal Services can be enabled in one of two ways:

  • Terminal Server mode. This is the Application Server mode that was available in Windows 2000 Server.

  • Remote Desktop for Administration. This is an enhancement of the Remote Administration mode of Windows 2000 Server.

This second Terminal Services mode is used to administer Windows Server 2003 servers remotely. Remote Desktop for Administration provides remote access to the graphical interface–based tools available in the Windows environment. Remotely managing servers with Remote Desktop for Administration does not affect server performance or application compatibility.

Unlike the other terminal service mode, no terminal server Client Access Licenses (CALs) are required to use Remote Desktop for Administration. Windows Server 2003 provides two remote administrative sessions, for collaborative purposes, and a console session.

Enhancements to Remote Administration with Remote Desktop Connection

By taking advantage of the new Terminal Services client, known as the Remote Desktop Connection (RDC), remote administration is enhanced in Windows Server 2003 in several ways.

The RDC supports a wide selection of hardware devices, so servers can be managed remotely from several different types of client hardware. The RDC is supported on the following hardware types:

  • 16-bit Windows-based computers running Windows for Workgroups with TCP/IP.

  • 32-bit Windows-based computers running every Windows OS from Windows 95 to Windows Server 2003.

  • Windows CE-based handheld devices.

  • Windows CE-based terminals, or thin clients.

The RDC allows for automatic restoration of interrupted network connections. This is key for remote administration. In the event that an administrator is disconnected in the middle of a mission-critical operation, the RDC will reconnect the session without losing the administrator's place in the operation.

The RDC supports a great deal of customization for the look and feel of a remote session. Providing high color, audio, and full screen sessions, the RDC allows you to control the graphic options and connection speed. This is an important feature because as you connect remotely to servers over a slow WAN link you will want to throttle the bandwidth usage for those particular sessions.

One of the biggest improvements to the RDC involves client resource redirection, which is available to Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP. You now have the capability to access local drives, network drives, and printers through the remote connection. Cut and paste, as well as large file transfers, can be accomplished between the client and server in a remote administration session.

Finally, in addition to the two remote sessions available for remote administration, Windows Server 2003 allows a console mode that enables you to connect to the "real" console of the server. Now administrative functions, such as some software installations that previously required local interaction, can be performed remotely.

Enabling Remote Desktop for Administration

Enabling Remote Desktop for Administration is a simple procedure. Unlike Windows 2000, the Remote Desktop for Administration feature is now a separately configurable component from Terminal Services and has some new flexibility options previously unavailable.

The default level of encryption for remote sessions

The default level of encryption for remote sessions is bidirectional 128-bit. Some older terminal service clients might not support 128-bit encryption.

The Remote Desktop for Administration feature is actually installed by default in Windows Server 2003, but it is installed in a disabled status for security reasons. To enable the feature with a default Start menu configuration, perform the following steps:

  1. From the Control Panel, double-click the System icon.

  2. Choose the Remote tab.

  3. On the bottom of the screen, click the check box to Allow Users to Connect Remotely to your computer, as shown in Figure 8.1.

  4. Click OK to complete the configuration.

Figure 8.1Figure 8.1 Enabling Remote Desktop for Administration.

If the Windows Server 2003 will be accessed remotely from a terminal server client that does not support high encryption, the encryption level of the remote session can be set to Client Compatible. This encryption level will provide the highest level of encryption to the remote session supported by the client. To change the default encryption level on the server to Client Compatible, follow these steps:

  1. Open Terminal Services Configuration from All Programs\Administrative Tools.

  2. In the right pane, under the Connection column, right-click RDP-Tcp, and choose Properties.

  3. Set the encryption level to Client Compatible, as shown in Figure 8.2, and click OK to complete the configuration.

Figure 8.2Figure 8.2 Setting the encryption level for Remote Administration.

Best Practices for Remote Desktop for Administration

Understanding the following aspects of remote administration will enable system administrators to make the best use of the new Remote Desktop for Administration features in Windows Server 2003:

Use the Console Mode

With the new console mode of connection available in Windows Server 2003, you can interact with the remote server as if you are directly at the physical server. This enables you to see pop-ups and messages that might only appear at the console.

Configure Disconnect and Reset Timeouts

By default, disconnect and reset timeouts are not set. This has the potential to lock you out of remote sessions if there are two remote sessions that are active but in a disconnected state. On the flip side, when configuring the timeouts, allow enough time so that accidental disconnections can be resumed without resetting the session. By default, when a connection is broken, the session goes into a disconnected state and continues to execute whatever process it is running at that time. If the session is configured to reset when the connection breaks, all processes running in that session will be abruptly stopped. Disconnect and reset timeouts can be configured using the Terminal Services Configuration Administrative tool.

Preventing Eavesdropping

For security purposes, when you are using the console mode of remote administration, the physical console of the server is automatically locked to prevent eavesdropping.

Coordinate Remote Administration

With Windows Server 2003, administrators are able to collaborate through multiple remote sessions. This feature has potential problems, though, if two administrators are unknowingly connected remotely to the same server. For instance, server data might be lost if two administrators attempt to perform disk defragmentation from two remote sessions at the same time.

Distinguish Terminal Services from Remote Administration

Although administrators have the capability to install software through a Remote Desktop for Administration session, Terminal Services running in Terminal Server mode provides better installation and environment settings for office applications. For general desktop and remote application access functionality, use a dedicated Terminal Server solution.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020