Enable Remote Desktop Connection on SBS 2011 without need for VPN

remoteremote desktopremote-accessremote-desktop-services

I would like to be able to establish a connection from my home PC to my work PC through a Windows Remote Desktop Connection. The server is running on Windows Small Business Server 2011.

A VPN has been set up for me, which allows the RDP to work. However, the company only has three VPN licences at present and thus this represents a limitation.

What would need to be done to allow an RDP connection without VPN? The remote web portal has an SSL certificate.

The previous company I worked for had it set up so that users could log in to https://remote.<<COMPANYNAME>>.domain and see their computer listed, click connect and it would download a .rdp file for them to then log into with their network username and password. I'd like to achieve this.

Best Answer

This is the purpose of the Remote Web Access website which is a component of SBS 2011. You indicate that it may be set up already, but if you are hesitant there are guides online as to how to set it up and configure it as part of Remote Desktop Services.

See:
YouTube tutorial
Microsoft Tech Community
Microsoft Support

As you mention, you will need a server certificate that is trusted by the remote client.

It would be worth thinking very hard how to secure this server from malicious attacks if it is going to be open to web requests from the world.