Enabling Remote Desktop in Windows Azure
Remote Desktop enables you to access the desktop of a role instance running in Windows Azure. You can use a remote desktop connection to configure the virtual machine or troubleshoot problems with your application.
This task includes the following steps:
Step 1: Configure the service for Remote Desktop access using Windows Azure PowerShell for Node.js
To use Remote Desktop, you need to configure your service definition and service configuration with a username, password, and certificate to authenticate with role instances in the cloud. Windows Azure PowerShell for Node.js includes the Enable-AzureRemoteDesktop cmdlet, which does this configuration for you.
Perform the following steps from the computer where the service definition was created.
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From the Start menu, select Windows Azure PowerShell for Node.js.
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Change directory to the service directory, type Enable-AzureRemoteDesktop, and then enter a user name and password to use when authenticating with role instances in the cloud:
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Publish the service configuration changes to the cloud. At the Windows Azure PowerShell for Node.js prompt, type Publish-AzureService:
When these steps have been completed, the role instances of the service in the cloud are configured for Remote Desktop access.
Step 2: Connect to the role instance
With your deployment up and running in Windows Azure, you can connect to the role instance.
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When the deployment status in the Windows Azure Management Portal is Ready, select an instance of the deployment, and click Connect in the Remote Access area of the portal ribbon.
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When you click Connect, the web browser prompts you to save an .rdp file. If you’re using Internet Explorer, click Open.
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When the file is opened, the following security prompt appears:
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Click Connect, and a security prompt will appear for entering credentials to access the instance. Enter the password you created in Step 1, and then click OK.
When the connection is made, Remote Desktop Connection displays the desktop of the instance in Windows Azure. You have successfully gained remote access to your instance and can perform any necessary tasks to manage your application.
Step 3: Configure the service to disable Remote Desktop access using Windows Azure PowerShell for Node.js
When you no longer require remote desktop connections to the role instances in the cloud, disable remote desktop access using the Windows Azure PowerShell for Node.js
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From the Start menu, select Windows Azure PowerShell for Node.js.
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Change directory to the service directory, and type Disable-AzureRemoteDesktop:
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Publish the service configuration changes to the cloud. At the Windows Azure PowerShell for Node.js prompt, type Publish-AzureService:
Additional Resources
Remotely Accessing Role Instances in Windows Azure
Using Remote Desktop with Windows Azure Roles