I'm looking into transitioning away from Citrix for remote access to in-office PCs, especially since we still have a handful of users who need this capability while working from home. We mainly used Citrix during COVID for remote access, but the costs are rising and I'm exploring alternatives. I've come across RDGateway with HTML5 which seems to work similarly to what we were doing with Citrix—users can log in via a browser and access their desktops without needing to install additional software.
However, I'm struggling to find clear instructions on how to connect directly to physical in-office PCs using this setup. I know there are options like 'Connect to a Remote PC' and 'Personal Desktops,' but I can't pinpoint if or how this works for accessing physical machines directly. Right now, the only method I've figured out is to set up mstsc as a RemoteApp that directs to the desktop, adding an extra step for users. Is that really the only way? Should I consider a paid remote access service, or maybe something like Apache Guacamole instead? I want to avoid moving these users to laptops and VPNs since they're not working from home frequently and they have unique needs that would make switching a hassle. Any suggestions?
7 Answers
The HTML5 web client doesn't support direct connections to physical PCs via the 'Connect to PC' feature. For that, you'll need RDWeb, which allows users to download RDP files for direct access. Using the web client means you'll have to go through a session host, which isn't ideal.
You might want to check out Apache Guacamole; it's a great alternative for remote access. Plus, there are plugins to secure it with Entra if you're considering security measures as well.
If your team really needs robust remote access, consider Parsec with MFA or SSO for added security. It could be a good fit for those power users you mentioned.
You can create a collection for each desktop and have users connect directly. If you don't assign any applications, they will only see an RDP session. Alternatively, configure RD Gateway in MSTSC—it lets you access internal machines as long as users have the right permissions. You may need to either train users on MSTSC or preconfigure the settings for them.
Another option is to look into Cloudflare Tunnels; they offer free access for up to 50 users. It might provide the connectivity you need without extra costs.
For connecting to physical PCs, try setting up MSTSC on the remote office computer and configure the RD Gateway settings under the 'Connect from anywhere' option on the advanced tab. This should simplify the connection process for your users.
Honestly, for just 12 users, investing in the infrastructure for RDGateway might not pay off. I recommend just providing laptops with a simple VPN setup. It'll save you time and headaches in the long run.
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