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What is RDSWeb Custom?

RDSWeb Custom is a modern web portal for accessing Remote Desktop Services (RDS) applications and desktops. It’s designed as a complete replacement for the legacy Microsoft RD Web Access interface, offering a contemporary user experience while maintaining full compatibility with your existing RDS infrastructure. Built with Angular 21 and Express.js, RDSWeb Custom provides a fast, responsive single-page application that connects directly to your Active Directory and RD Connection Broker.

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Why Replace RD Web Access?

The legacy RD Web Access interface has several limitations:
  • Outdated UI: Built with legacy ASP.NET technologies and Internet Explorer-era design patterns
  • Poor mobile support: Not responsive, difficult to use on tablets and smartphones
  • Limited customization: Hard to brand or modify to match your organization’s needs
  • No modern auth flows: Lacks support for modern authentication patterns and session management
RDSWeb Custom addresses all of these issues while maintaining seamless integration with your existing RDS deployment.

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Key Benefits

Modern Interface

Clean, responsive UI built with Angular Material that works on any device

Active Directory Integration

Native LDAP/AD authentication with automatic user and group resolution

Easy Deployment

Simple setup with environment-based configuration and optional simulation mode

Secure by Default

JWT-based sessions, HTTP-only cookies, and Helmet.js security headers

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Architecture Overview

RDSWeb Custom is a two-tier application:

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Backend (Express.js API)

The backend provides a REST API that handles:
  • Authentication: LDAP/AD authentication with JWT token generation
  • RemoteApp Catalog: Retrieves available applications from RD Connection Broker
  • RDP Generation: Creates dynamic .rdp files with user-specific configurations
  • Session Management: Cookie-based authentication with configurable timeouts
Key API endpoints:
  • POST /api/auth/login - Authenticate users against Active Directory
  • GET /api/apps - Retrieve RemoteApps and desktops for the authenticated user
  • POST /api/launch/:appId - Generate and download an .rdp file

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Frontend (Angular 21 SPA)

The frontend is a modern single-page application featuring:
  • Responsive design with Angular Material components
  • Authentication flow with login, session management, and logout
  • Application catalog displaying available RemoteApps and desktops
  • One-click launch that downloads pre-configured .rdp files

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Core Features

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Active Directory Authentication

Authenticate users directly against your domain controller using LDAP. The system validates credentials, retrieves user information (display name, email, groups), and issues a secure JWT token.

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RemoteApp Catalog

Automatically discovers and displays RemoteApps published through your RD Connection Broker. Users see only the applications they have permissions to access based on their AD group memberships.

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Dynamic RDP File Generation

Generates .rdp files on-demand with:
  • Pre-populated username in DOMAIN\username format
  • RD Gateway configuration
  • Session timeout settings (20 minutes standard, 240 minutes private mode)
  • Resource redirection (clipboard, printers)
  • Connection Broker server address

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Simulation Mode

For development and testing, RDSWeb Custom includes a simulation mode that works without requiring actual AD or RDCB infrastructure. This allows you to:
  • Test the UI and user flows
  • Develop new features without production dependencies
  • Demo the system without infrastructure access

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Technology Stack

Backend:
  • Express.js 4.x
  • jsonwebtoken for JWT handling
  • activedirectory2 and ldapts for AD/LDAP integration
  • Helmet.js for security headers
  • dotenv for configuration management
Frontend:
  • Angular 21.2 with standalone components
  • Angular Material 21.2 for UI components
  • RxJS for reactive programming
  • TypeScript 5.9

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Use Cases

Replace your legacy RD Web Access with a modern interface that users can access from any device. Maintain your existing RDS infrastructure while providing a significantly better user experience.
Enable employees to access corporate applications from personal devices through a secure, web-based portal. The responsive design works seamlessly on laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
Customize the branding and configuration for different customers while maintaining a single codebase. The modular architecture makes it easy to adapt to different deployment scenarios.
Use simulation mode to test RDS workflows and develop custom features without requiring full infrastructure. Perfect for development teams and proof-of-concept deployments.

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What’s Next?

Ready to get started? Head over to the Quick Start guide to set up RDSWeb Custom in your environment. For detailed configuration options and deployment strategies, check out the Configuration and Deployment sections.

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