Remote Desktop Services (RDS) in Windows Server 2008 R2 provides the ideal platform for companies to implement a centralized desktop strategy, helping organizations improve flexibility and compliance while improving data security and IT’s ability to manage desktops and applications.

RDS is a centralized desktop and application platform solution that uses presentation and desktop virtualization technologies, offering powerful opportunities for IT to deliver and manage corporate desktops and to respond to users’ needs in a flexible way. RDS is the new name for Terminal Services, and reflects the expanded role in Windows Server 2008 R2 so that you can run the desktop or applications in the datacenter while your users can be anywhere.

Virtualization with RDS

RDS allows you to install and manage session-based desktops and applications, or virtual-machine based desktops on centralized servers in the data center. With RDS screen images are delivered to the users, and the users' client machines in turn send keystrokes and mouse movements back to the server. When using Remote Desktop Services, administrators can present users with an entire desktop environment, or with their individual applications and data which they require to complete their task. From a user perspective, these applications are integrated seamlessly—looking, feeling, and behaving like local applications. Learn more about Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) as an alternative desktop delivery model that allows users to access desktops running in the datacenter.