RDP VPN: Achieving Remote, Secure Access to Office Desktops

An RDP VPN is a straightforward way to ensure employees can access their office desktops remotely. It combines the best attributes of a remote desktop protocol (RDP) and a virtual private network (VPN), balancing ease of access with security.

RDP lets users control their office computer from home, while the VPN part secures the data traveling over the internet. This makes RDP VPN a viable option for remote work scenarios.

When remote employees connect to their office desktops using RDP over a VPN, their data is encrypted, and they can securely access sensitive company files just as if they were sitting at their desks. This setup not only provides convenience but also safeguards against potential eavesdropping.

How to integrate RDP with VPNs

Integrating remote desktop protocol (RDP) with your VPN produces a secure and functional remote working environment. It’s a practical, real-world application that many corporations have found invaluable for maintaining productivity and security.

To configure an RDP VPN setup, you would first establish a VPN connection to the corporate network. The VPN connection ensures that all data transmitted between your device and the central corporate network is encrypted and secure. You might use WireGuard or another VPN client provided by your IT department.

Once the VPN is active, you can then use RDP to connect to your office desktop. This can be done using the remote desktop connection client available on Windows or alternatives like Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac. You just enter the IP address or hostname of your office computer, and voila, you have access to your work environment.

A practical example of an RDP VPN setup is a typical finance team, who frequently need to access sensitive financial software that’s installed on their office machines. By using their VPN with RDP, they can securely access this software from anywhere, ensuring that sensitive financial data is not exposed over unsecured networks.

Why RDP VPN is a practical remote access solution for enterprise networks

Enhances security

Using a VPN alongside RDP can significantly enhance security. When you use a VPN, your connection to the network is encrypted, adding an extra layer of protection to your remote desktop sessions. This setup helps hide your RDP traffic from prying eyes, making it much harder for hackers to intercept your connection.

Configuring the firewall rules is also crucial for boosting your network security. You can restrict RDP access to only the VPN’s IP address pool, which means only devices connected to the VPN can attempt to RDP into your server. This setup drastically reduces the attack surface by making your RDP server invisible to anyone not connected through the VPN.

Additionally, you can combine the VPN with network-level authentication (NLA) on your RDP server. This way, even before fully establishing the RDP session, the server requires authentication. So, even if someone manages to find your VPN-connected RDP server, they won't get far without proper credentials.

Improves access control

Using an RDP over a VPN ensures that only authorized users access your systems. This extra step adds encryption and secures your data against potential eavesdroppers on the open internet. 

A VPN that supports two-factor authentication makes your network even more secure. It ensures that even if a bad actor obtains your password, they can't access your systems. They would need your phone to verify the login attempt. 

Additionally, when setting up the VPN, make sure to update your firewall rules to only allow RDP connections coming from trusted IP ranges, like those provided by the VPN server. This setup means that even if someone tries to connect to your RDP port without going through the VPN, they won't get through.

Improves the remote work experience

The RDP VPN setup can transform the way you work. It allows your team to access network resources, databases, and applications from anywhere, anytime, without the usual hiccups of remote access.

Take for instance, the scenario where you need to run bandwidth-heavy applications. With RDP, all the heavy lifting happens on the remote server. The local device simply displays the screen output and registers keystrokes and mouse clicks. This means even if your internet connection is patchy, your experience remains smooth.

Database access is particularly beneficial for remote workers. With a VPN alone, databases can be sluggish because they’re designed for local network speeds. But with RDP, the database runs on the server, and you're just interacting with it from afar. 

Result? Fast and responsive database access just like you’re in the office.

Printing and scanning can also be a headache for remote workers. Different devices, drivers, and network configurations can all throw a wrench into the process. But with RDP, printing becomes a breeze. Some solutions can simplify the setup, ensuring that print jobs are seamless, no matter where you are.

Another perk of RDP VPN is resource sharing. RDP allows you to share resources like drives and printers. It even allows for multiple displays. So, if you love having dual monitors at the office, you can replicate that setup remotely with RDP. You can even temporarily disconnect from your session without logging out of apps, ensuring continuity.

Boosts network performance

VPNs are crucial but performance can be a headache. Unless you combine it with RDP. RDP is much less traffic-intensive than accessing network shares directly over a VPN. 

When users connect to a remote desktop, they essentially see a screen from a computer that is on the local network. This setup means that the major tasks, like file access or running applications, are done by a machine with a fast connection to your corporate network. The only data being sent over the VPN is the visual representation of the screen, which requires much less bandwidth.

RDP also helps when your HQ upload bandwidth is limited. If you're not using split tunneling, all of a user's internet traffic goes through the VPN, which can saturate your HQ's upload bandwidth, especially if multiple users are downloading Windows updates or other large files. With RDP, this isn't as big an issue, as the data flow is predominantly in one direction—towards the user.