Windows Server Requirements

All Parallels RAS server components are Windows Server based, with the exception of Parallels HALB appliance and VDI virtual appliances.

RAS Connection Broker and RAS Secure Gateway (64-bit versions only)

RAS Connection Broker and RAS Secure Gateway are supported on the following operating systems:

• Windows Server 2012 R2 up to Windows Server 2022

• On Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022 both Server Core and Desktop Experience installations are supported

Note: RAS Connection Broker and RAS Secure Gateway should not be installed on a domain controller or any other machine where a DHCP server is running. This in general applies to any of the RAS components.

RAS Web Administration Service

Same OS requirements as for RAS Connection Broker (see above). Note that for larger environments (2000 or more concurrent connections), it is recommended to install the component on a dedicated server. For details, please see https://kb.parallels.com/en/124988.

Please also note that Windows Server 2012 R2 must have the following updates installed:

• Windows Server 2012 R2 — KB2999226

Newer versions of Windows Server do not require any specific updates.

RAS RD Session Host Agent

RAS RD Session Host Agent is supported on the following operating systems:

• Windows Server 2008 R2 up to Windows Server 2022

• Windows Server 2016 and newer must be installed using the "Desktop Experience" installation option.

• Windows Server 2012 R2 — Server Core installation option is not supported.

RAS Provider Agent

• Windows Server 2012 R2 up to Windows Server 2022

For the list of supported VDI providers, see RAS Provider Agent Installation Options.

RAS Guest Agent

• Windows Server 2008 R2 up to Windows Server 2022

• Windows 7 up to Windows 11

Remote PC Agent

• Windows Server 2008 R2 up to Windows Server 2022

• Windows 7 up to Windows 11

Parallels RAS PowerShell

• Windows Server 2012 R2 up to Windows Server 2022

• Windows 7 up to Windows 11

• Windows Management Framework 3.0 and .NET Framework 4.5.2 must be installed

Parallels RAS Console

• Windows Server 2012 R2 up to Windows Server 2022

• Windows 7 up to Windows 11

RAS Enrollment Server

• Windows Server 2012 R2 up to Windows Server 2022

For complete software requirements, please see the Parallels RAS Administrator's Guide (the Software Requirements section). To view and download the guide, please visit https://www.parallels.com/products/ras/resources/.

Active Directory

Parallels RAS can be installed using Active Directory or Local Windows Security.

• VDI for RAS requires Active Directory.

• Installation of any RAS component on an Active Directory Domain Controller is not supported.

If using Active Directory, Windows Servers must be joined to a Domain and the right hostname configured before installing RAS.

• Do not change the server hostname after installing Parallels RAS or reconfiguration of Parallels RAS would be required.

Networking Requirements

Use a static or permanently reserved DHCP address.

SSL on the Gateway servers requires name resolution. For Gateways to function properly, one of the two following conditions must be met:

• DNS resolution must be available.

• HOSTS files can be configured for DNS resolution.

See the Active Directory and Infrastructure Services Considerations chapter.

Windows Firewall Requirements

RAS v15 and higher can automatically configure Windows Firewall settings during installation or deployment of additional RAS farm components to allow communication between different RAS servers in a farm.

• For manual configuration of the Windows Firewall, do not check the "Add Firewall Rules" when deploying RAS components.

• A comprehensive list of required Firewall ports can be found in the Port Reference section of the Parallels RAS Administrator’s Guide, which can be download from http://www.parallels.com/products/ras/resources/.

When pushing RAS components to another server from the RAS console, one of the following conditions must be met on the remote server:

• Open Windows Firewall ports TCP 135, 445, 49179, then push the RAS components and have the Windows Firewall ports automatically configured.

• Temporarily disable Windows Firewall, push the RAS components and have RAS automatically configure the firewall settings, and then re-enable the Windows Firewall.

• Manually configure Windows Firewall settings as described in the Port Reference section of the Parallels RAS Administrator's Guide, and then install the RAS component(s).

HALB requirements

The below highlights the prerequisites required to use HALB:

• Firewall or router in front of a HALB configured to preserve the source IPs of client devices