Steps to configure Remote Desktop Access from your Host Computer running Windows 11 to a Guest

Computer running Windows Server 2019 in VMware Workstation.

1. Configure the Guest Machine (Windows Server 2019)

Step A: Enable Remote Desktop

Step 1: Log in to the Guest Machine (Windows Server 2019).

Step 2: Open Server Manager > Select Local Server.

Step 3: Find Remote Desktop and click the corresponding value (e.g., Disabled or Enable).

Step 4: In the System Properties window:

• Select Allow remote connections to this computer.

• Click OK.
Step B: Configure Firewall

Step 1: Open Windows Defender Firewall in the Guest Machine.

Step 2: Select Advanced Settings > Inbound Rules.

Step 3: Locate the rule for Remote Desktop (TCP-In) and ensure it is Enabled.

o If no rule exists, create a new one:

▪ Click New Rule > Select Port > Choose TCP > Enter 3389 > Allow the connection
> Name the rule.

2. Configure Network Settings in VMware Workstation

Set the Network Connection Type

1. Open VMware Workstation on your host machine.

2. Select the Guest Machine > Go to VM > Settings.

3. Navigate to the Network Adapter section.

4. Choose Bridged Networking:

o This allows the Guest Machine to share the same network as your Host Computer.

Find the Guest Machine's IP Address

1. In the Guest Machine, open Command Prompt and run:

2. ipconfig

3. Note the IPv4 Address of the Guest Machine.

3. Test Network Connectivity

On the Host Computer, check if you can reach the Guest Machine:

1. Open Command Prompt on the Host Computer.

2. Run the following command using the Guest Machine's IP:

 3. ping <Guest_IP>

o Example: ping 192.168.1.100.

4. Connect via Remote Desktop

1. On your Host Computer (Windows 11), open the Remote Desktop Connection application.

2. Enter the Guest Machine's IP Address and click Connect.

3. Log in with the credentials of the Guest Machine's administrator account.

5. Optional: Additional Configuration

• Static IP: Assign a static IP to the Guest Machine for consistent connectivity.

o Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings >
Right-click on your network adapter > Properties > Select IPv4 > Assign a manual IP.

• Port Forwarding (NAT): If using NAT instead of Bridged Networking, configure port
forwarding in VMware for RDP (port 3389).

Troubleshooting Tips

• Firewall Issues:

o Ensure no third-party firewalls (e.g., antivirus) are blocking RDP traffic.

• Credential Errors:

o Verify that the Guest Machine account is part of the Remote Desktop Users group.

• Network Issues:

o Ensure that the Guest Machine and Host Computer are on the same subnet if using
Bridged Networking.

This setup allows you to seamlessly access and control the Guest Machine from the Host Computer
using Remote Desktop.
Step 1: Check SQL Server Configuration on the Host Server

(Assuming SQL Server is already installed on the server)

1.1 Enable TCP/IP Protocol in SQL Server Configuration Manager

1. Open SQL Server Configuration Manager.

2. Navigate to SQL Server Network Configuration > Protocols for [Your SQL Instance].

3. Right-click TCP/IP and select Enable.

4. Double-click TCP/IP, go to the IP Addresses tab.

o Under IPAll, set TCP Port to 1433 (or any custom port).

5. Click Apply and OK.

6. Restart the SQL Server service:

o Open Services.msc, find SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER), and restart it.

Step 2: Configure Firewall Rules on the Host Server

2.1 Inbound Rule (Allow SQL Server Connections)

1. Open Windows Defender Firewall on the host server.

2. Click Advanced Settings.

3. Select Inbound Rules, then click New Rule.

4. Choose Port and click Next.

5. Select TCP and enter 1433 (or your SQL port) in Specific local ports, then click Next.

6. Select Allow the connection and click Next.

7. Choose Domain, Private, and Public, then click Next.

8. Name the rule (e.g., Allow SQL Server 1433) and click Finish.

2.2 Outbound Rule (Allow SQL Server Responses)

1. Go to Outbound Rules, then click New Rule.

2. Follow the same steps as the Inbound Rule but apply it for Outbound Traffic.

Step 3: Allow Remote Connections in SQL Server

1. Open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) on the host server.

2. Connect to the SQL Server instance.

3. Run the following query to enable remote connections:

sql
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EXEC sp_configure 'remote access', 1;

RECONFIGURE;

4. Go to SSMS > Server Properties > Connections.

5. Check Allow remote connections to this server.

6. Click OK and restart SQL Server.

Step 4: Get Host Server IP Address

On the host server, find the IP address:

1. Open Command Prompt and run:

sh

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ipconfig

2. Note down the IPv4 Address (e.g., 192.168.1.10).

Step 5: Connect from the Client Server

1. Open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) on the client server.

2. In the Server Name field, enter:

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192.168.1.10,1433

(Replace 192.168.1.10 with the host server’s IP).

3. Select SQL Server Authentication or Windows Authentication as required.

4. Enter Username and Password.

5. Click Connect.

Step 6: Test Connection via Telnet

1. Open Command Prompt on the client server.

2. Run the command:

sh

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telnet 192.168.1.10 1433

 o If the screen goes blank, the connection is successful.

o If it fails, check firewall rules and SQL Server settings.

Troubleshooting

• Ensure SQL Server Browser is Running

o Open Services.msc → Start SQL Server Browser.

• Check Windows Firewall Settings

o Ensure rules allow inbound/outbound TCP traffic on port 1433.

• Check SQL Server Error Logs

o Run in SSMS:

sql

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EXEC xp_readerrorlog;