Enable/Disable RemoteApp Desktop Connections

Enable/Disable RemoteApp Desktop Connections

During maintenance sessions on our SQL and Terminal Server(s), it is imperative to disable remote connections to the server to prevent users from connecting and causing resource conflicts on the servers. 
For instance, if an emergency backup needs to be performed, or perhaps a monthly restoration of Month End data needs to be restored or OS/application software updates and installations are necessary, then a user accessing system resources could for example, write and lock database records or corrupt application updates.  

To disable connections on a set of Host Servers within a Collection, that is, servers that work together to provide RemoteApp services and Remote Desktop Services to users, you must remote in via Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to the server and disallow connections:

1. Remote onto a Host Server in the Collection Pool (the servers in this pool are pre-configured and adding/removing them are beyond the scope of this article). 
2. For Windows Server 2016, the Server Manager application/landing page will appear on the default 'Dashboard' pane.    
      - On the left, select Remote Desktop Services



3. In the Remote Desktop Services pane, click on Collections> right-click on one of the Host Servers in the Collection in the HOST SERVERS box. 
- Select 'Do Not Allow New Connections' to disable connections.  
This MUST be done on ALL Host Servers.

WARNING: DO NOT DISCONNECT FROM YOUR RDP SESSION WITHOUT PHYSICAL ACCESS TO A HOST SERVER OR REMOTE ACCESS TO A HOST SERVER WITH ANOTHER APPLICATION (like Dameware).
Disconnecting without physical access or alternate remote access (i.e. Dameware) will result in a loss of connectivity and ability to allow users to reconnect.  




4. To re-renable connections, you MUST be physically present at one of the Host Servers or using an alternate method of remote connectivity and REVERSE these steps. 



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