The common problem which is encountered in using a VPS is mainly because most of the users are not quite familiar to the functionality of the remote desktop multi-session. What does a multi-session mean?
Remote desktop enables us to be connected to a VPS with different sessions. In other words, we can run (mostly 2) independent desktops, separately and not connected to each other. It is like running 2 (two) sets of computers at the same time (similar analogy, but it’s actually not quite the same).
What is Multi-session?
For an instance, if we are running a broker A trading session in the first session, and haven’t closed it yet (haven’t been disconnected), and we try to login again to the VPS using another remote desktop connection (second remote desktop), the new desktop (second session) will then appear. In this case, the latest remote desktop will not be showing the programs that are already running in the first session, which is the broker A trading session (since it is acting as the second desktop, a different one from the first session). This is what commonly known as multi-session.
Why does it happen?
Multi-session on Windows occurred due to some reasons:
1.Forget to disconnect (being allowed to run continuously)
2.Sudden loss of internet connection (hanging connection)
3.Hang computer or condition
4.On purpose
Multi-session Check
Most users might think that a VPS is not running as it should be, since the broker A trading session doesn’t appear, and would restart the broker A trading session, all over again. Whereas in fact, the programs are actually already running in another session (in the first session).
Therefore, it’s very important to make sure that we only have to run one session at a time.
To find out sessions that are currently running at a particular time on your VPS, could be done by:
click Start >> Run >> type “taskmgr.exe” and click USERS:
If there’s more than one user listed, then it means that there are two or more running sessions.
We can just directly choose to logoff this additional session by right-clicking on the particular session and choose the designated logoff option, not disconnect, to end the second session.
Preventing Multi-session Windows Connection
One way to prevent Windows on establishing a multi-session connection (as mentioned above), is by limiting it. Make sure you fully understand about the risk involved.
Following is the procedure on preventing (disabling) the multi-session Windows connection ability (or by means, to allow only one connection of RDP session at a time):
1. Click Start >> Run
2. Type gpedit.msc
3. Browse/search Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Terminal Services >> Limit Number of Connections.
4. Click Enabled, and type the number 1
All Windows VPS on WINNERvps as of December 15th 2012 have been already using the Multi-session Protection technology by default.
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