Windows® 2000 Remote Desktop Connection

What is a remote desktop connection? How to install and configure it on Windows® 2000?

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft®. Through this protocol the user is provided with a graphical interface to another computer. The protocol is an extension of the ITU-T T.128 application sharing protocol. Microsoft® currently refers to this software as Remote Desktop Services, and was formerly known as Terminal Services. Every Windows® operating system starting with Windows® XP includes an installed Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) or a Terminal Services client (mstsc.exe), the version of which is determined by that of the operating system or the last applied Windows® Service Pack. However, it is possible to connect to a Windows® 2000 PC, too, using the Remote Desktop facility.

• How to install a remote desktop connection on Windows® 2000?
• How to configure the remote desktop connection?
• How to use the Remote Desktop feature?

How to install a remote desktop connection on Windows® 2000?

In Windows® 2000, the Remote Desktop feature was named as Terminal Services. The application was later renamed with the release of Windows® XP. As a result, some users are unable to find the application settings on a Windows® 2000 machine. Terminal Services are not installed automatically on a Windows® 2000-based computer. The user must install the application in ‘Control Panel’, which enables its use. In ‘Control Panel’, select the ‘Add/Remove Programs’ tab and click the button labelled ‘Add/Remove Windows Components’ on the left side of the window. Click the icon labelled ‘Terminal Services’ and then click the ‘Next’ button. Next, you need to select ‘Enable Terminal Services’ and click ‘Next’. After this, you have to select ‘Remote Administration Mode’ and then click ‘Next’. Finally, insert the Windows® 2000 installation CD when prompted to finish the installation.

How to configure the remote desktop connection?

To configure the feature you need to go to ‘Control Panel’ and chose the ‘System’ icon. Then, you need to check the box labelled ‘Allows users to connect remotely to this computer’ and click ‘OK’ to confirm the settings. Next, you need to configure the firewall to allow incoming connections. Then, in ‘Control Panel’, choose the ‘Windows Firewall’ icon. Here, you need to click the ‘Exceptions’ tab in the ‘Configuration’ window, select the box labelled ‘Remote Desktop’, and click the ‘OK’ button. The machine is now configured for Remote Desktop.

To start using the Remote Desktop feature on Windows® 2000, simply click ‘Start’, ‘All Programs’, ‘Accessories’, and then ‘Communications’, and go to ‘Remote Desktop’. This opens the ‘Remote Desktop’ connection window. Now, type the name of the computer to which you want to connect, and then click ‘Connect’. This opens the ‘Log On’ window. Finally, type the user name and password needed to connect to the remote computer, and then click ‘OK’. This opens the ‘Remote Computer’ window.