Remote Desktop Session Hosts for Government Agencies

This document is a technical report that outlines the use of Remote Desktop Session Hosts (RDSH) for government agencies, focusing on cost optimization amidst budgetary pressures. It details how RDSH allows multiple users to share a single Windows Server instance, significantly reducing hardware and licensing costs compared to Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), which allocates a dedicated virtual machine per user. The report discusses the architectural differences between RDSH and VDI, highlighting RDSH's shared session environment that minimizes infrastructure footprint and operational complexity. It emphasizes the benefits of RDSH, particularly for task workers and standardized roles, and presents scenarios where RDSH is advantageous, such as in high-density environments and budget-constrained initiatives. The document also addresses licensing models, noting that RDSH typically incurs lower costs due to its server-based approach. Overall, it provides a framework for agencies to evaluate the feasibility of deploying RDSH in their operations.