This blog post will show you how to deploy RDS on a Domain Controller, I have received a lot of messages over the past months on this saying that it's not possible. Firstly I would personally never recommend deploying RDS on a domain controller as there are a number of security risks and best practices that get thrown out of the window.

The first thing I have done is deploy a Domain Controller:

I have spun up a Virtual Machine, installed Active Directory and then promoted it to a Domain Controller.  Domain being the same as the blog site - Ryanmangansitblog.com

Go to Server Manager Select Add roles and Features, then select Remote Desktop Services Installation.

Select the Standard Deployment option

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Select the Domain Controller for all services, RD Connection Broker, RD Web Access, and RD Session Host.

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Once you have confirmed and selected Restart. RDS will then start to install.

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The installation will Fail............ But wait don't panic, everything still works !!! I will explain. The Connection Broker installs, but the RD Web and Session Host fails. Running the install process again, will resolve the issue.

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Close the window.

Start the process again ....

This time you will see The RD Connection Broker with the Domain Controller name:

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Continue all the way to completion:

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Once your happy,  Click Deploy......

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There you have it ..... The Domain Controller now has the Connection Broker, Web Access and Session Host roles.

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The Other way:

Use the add roles and features wizard, select Remote Desktop Services, Roles Services and then Tick Remote Desktop Connection Broker

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Install the RDCB role. Then start a RDS installation and you will see the connection broker role present.

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Follow the same process as before..

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As you can see the install will not fail.

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I hope this helps.... and answers everyone's question ! You can deploy RDS on a Domain Controller.

For more information please see the following Links:

Remote Desktop Services role cannot co-exist with AD DS role on Windows Server 2012

Installing RD Session Host on a Domain Controller