Using the USB Dongle with Windows Remote Desktop

This article contains information about Remote Desktop Services COM port redirection for Windows Server 2008 R2, 2012 and 2012 R2.

1. Introduction

Windows client computers sometimes require COM port redirection when using Remote Desktop Services (RDS) provided by Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2. This includes the use of Bagel Labs USB Dongle attached to the serial port of the client computer.

This article addresses enabling COM port sharing on the client and COM port redirection on the server. Please follow the steps below to achieve this goal.

2. [Client PC] Enable COM port sharing for RDS

STEPS:

1. Open Remote Desktop Connection.
2. Click Open Options and enter Local Resources.
   
3. From Local Devices and resources, click More and tick the checkbox for Ports to enable COM port sharing to the server.
   
4. Click OK to close and trying logging into the remote computer(server) as usual.
5. Plug Bagel Labs USB Dongle into the client PC's USB port and check if "nRF Connect USB CDC ACM" shows up under Ports in the server PC's Device Manager(Right-click on Windows logo → Device Manager). 
   
6. If it shows up, Bagel Labs Connect installed on the server PC should have no problem accessing the dongle attached to the client PC. 
7. If it doesn't show up, follow the steps below to configure the server PC.

3. [Server PC] Enable COM port redirection using Windows PowerShell

STEPS:

1. Press Windows Logo, type Windows PowerShell, right-click on Windows PowerShell and click Run as administrator to open Windows PowerShell.
2. Type Set-RDVirtualDesktopCollectionConfiguration -CollectionName Name -CustomRdpProperty "redirectcomports:i:1" where Name is the actual name of the RDS Collection. Type " " around the collection name if there are spaces in the name. For example type "My Collection Name".

4. [Server PC] Ensure COM port redirection isn't disabled in Group Policy

STEPS:

1. Press Windows Logo+R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
   
2. Click the arrow next to Computer Configuration under Local Computer Policy to expand it.
    

3. Click the arrow next to Administrative Templates to expand it.

4. Click All Settings to show all group policy settings. 
   
5. Scroll down to Do not allow COM port redirection and double-click on it to view the setting. 
   
6. Ensure the policy isn't enabled and click OK. (Disabled must be selected).
   
7. Again, plug Bagel Labs USB Dongle into the client PC's USB port and check if "nRF Connect USB CDC ACM" shows up under Ports in the server PC's Device Manager(Right-click on Windows logo → Device Manager).