Managing Windows Devices

The Client Manager feature allows the administrator to convert Windows devices running Windows XP up to Windows 10 into a thin-client-like OS. To do this, the administrator must first select to manage devices connecting to the farm. In order to be managed, Windows devices must be running the latest version of the Parallels Client for Windows.

Below are the procedures required to connect the Parallels Client for Windows to a RAS farm and further enroll and manage the device.

Install Parallels Client on a Windows Computer

To install and configure Parallels Client for Windows, follow the steps below. You can also read the Parallels Client for Windows User's Guide for the complete instructions on how to install and configure Parallels Client. Specifically, the guide provides instructions on how to install Parallels Client using an invitation email.

1. Download the Parallels Client for Windows from one of the following locations:
   • 32-bit: http://download.parallels.com/ras/v15.5/RASClient.msi
   • 64-bit: http://download.parallels.com/ras/v15.5/RASClient-x64.msi
2. Double click the RASClient.msi or RASClient-x64.msi and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation wizard.
3. Create a new RAS connection by clicking File > Add New Connection.
4. Select Parallels Remote Application Server and click OK.
5. Next, configure the following connection properties:
   • Primary Connection — Specify the Parallels Remote Application Server  FQDN or IP address.
   • User Credentials — Enter username, password, and domain.
6. Click OK to create the connection and then double-click it to connect to Parallels Remote Application Server.

Upon completion, the Windows device will appear in the RAS Console (Client Manager / Devices / Devices list) and will have access to published resources.

Windows Device Enrollment

Features such as Power Off, Reboot, and Shadow require that the Windows device is managed. Windows devices can be set to be automatically managed by your farm or require that the admin approves them first.

To approve a device to be managed in Parallels Remote Application Server:

1. In the RAS Console, navigate  to Client Manager / Devices.
2. Select a device on the Devices tab page.
3. Click Tasks > Manage Device.

The device state will change to Pair pending until the device reconnects. Ensure the Client Manager Port option is enabled for a gateway. To verify that it is:

1. Navigate to Farm / Site / Gateways.
2. Select a gateway and click Tasks > Properties.
3. Click the Network tab and make sure that the Client Manager Port option is selected

Once the Parallels Client reconnects, the enrollment process is completed and the device state is updated to Logged On, which indicates that it's now managed by Parallels Remote Application Server.

Alternately, you can set Parallels Remote Application Server to automatically manage Windows devices. To do so:

1. In the RAS Console, select the Client Manager category.
2. Click the Options tab.
3. Enable the Automatically manage Windows devices option.

The administrator can now check the state of the device and perform power control actions such as Power On, Power Off, Reboot, and Logoff.

Note: Devices running older versions of Parallels Client cannot be managed and are marked as Not Supported.

Shadow a Windows Device

By shadowing a Windows device, you can gain full access to Windows desktop on the device, control applications running locally on the device, as well as any remote applications published from Parallels Remote Application Server.

To shadow a Windows device:

1. In the RAS Console, navigate to Client Manager / Devices.
2. Select a device and click the Shadow icon below the device list.

Note: The Windows user will be prompted to allow the administrator to take control and can choose to deny access. The Request Authorization prompt can be deactivated by the administrator from Client Manager / Devices / <select Windows device> / Tasks > Properties > Shadowing.

Desktop Replacement

The Replace desktop option limits users from changing system settings or installing new applications. Replace the Windows Desktop with the Parallels Client to convert the Windows operating system into a thin-client-like OS without replacing the operating system. This way, the user can only deploy applications from the Parallels Client providing the administrator with a higher level of control over connected devices. Additionally, the Kiosk Mode limits the user from power cycling only when enabled.

To enable the Replace desktop feature:

1. Select a Windows device and click Tasks > Properties.
2. Click OS Settings.
3. Select the Replace Desktop option.
4. Click OK.

Note: This feature requires an administrative password set to switch between user and admin mode on the Windows device. If Use Group Settings is enabled, settings are inherited from the group that the device belongs to.

Switching to Admin Mode

In User Mode, the user is restricted to use only the applications provided by the administrator. In order to change system settings, switch the device to administration mode.

Change to Admin Mode by right-clicking on the system tray icon, selecting Switch to admin mode and providing the password configured.

The following table outlines features that are available in the Admin Mode and the User Mode.

Configuring Local Applications When Using the Parallels Client Desktop Replacement

With the Replace Desktop option enabled,  the administrator’s goal should be to deploy remote applications or remote desktops and use the native OS to simply deploy the software needed to connect remotely. However, in some instances, local applications may be required. The administrator still has the ability to configure local applications to be shown within the Parallels Client Desktop Replacement, however it is necessary to switch to admin mode prior to it.

Publish a local application according to the following steps:

1. Shadow the user’s session or use the user device station directly.
2. Switch the Parallels Client Desktop Replacement to admin mode.
3. Click File > Add New Application
4. Fill in the application information
5. Applications added will be visible in the Application Launcher.
6. Switch back to user mode once all the applications needed are configured.