Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is the native presentation protocol for Microsoft® Windows NT® Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition and Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Terminal Services. RDP allows a thin client, such as a Windows-based terminal, to communicate with a Terminal Server across a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or by means of a dial-up, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), digital subscriber line (DSL), or virtual private network (VPN) connection. RDP uses TCP/IP as its transport protocol and is based on the recommended standard for data protocols for multimedia conferencing (ITU T.120), as defined by the International Telecommunications Union.
RDP version 5.0 has the following key features:
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Unicode compatibility.
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Configuration for any environment that allows network localization, automatic disconnect, and remote configuration.
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Support for three levels of encryption.
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Variable bandwidth allocation through client-side bitmap caching and optional compression for low-bandwidth connections, significantly improving performance over low-bandwidth connections.
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Roaming disconnect that allows a user to disconnect from a Terminal Services session without logging off or being logged off.
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Multichannel-capable protocol that permits separate Virtual Channels for carrying presentation data, serial-device communication (keyboard and mouse), licensing information, and heavily encrypted data.
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Multipoint data delivery that allows data from an application to be delivered to multiple parties without having to send the same data to each session individually.
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Remote control that lets the support staff view and control a Terminal Services session. Sharing input and display graphics between two Terminal Services sessions lets a support person diagnose and resolve problems remotely.
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Network Load Balancing (NLB), available in Windows 2000 Advanced Server and Datacenter Server.
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Copy-and-paste capability between the remote session and the local computer.
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Common clipboard for simple data exchange.
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Local printer redirection so server applications can print locally to the client device.
Windows NT Terminal Server uses RDP 4.0 as its native data protocol. Windows 2000 Terminal Services uses RDP 5.0, while Windows XP Professional Edition and Microsoft Windows CE .NET use RDP 5.1. Local printer redirection as discussed in this white paper is available only with Windows 2000 Terminal Server and later.
The Terminal Services RDP 5.0 client is available on the web at the following location:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/recommended/TSAC/default.asp
The RDP 5.1 Client is also available on the web, for local printer redirection only to Windows 2000 Terminal Servers:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/remotedesktop/
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