aid: rdp
name: RDP Vocabulary
description: >-
  Domain vocabulary for the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), a proprietary network
  protocol developed by Microsoft for remote graphical access to computers. Also
  covers the Refinitiv Data Platform (RDP) — the LSEG financial data delivery API
  platform sharing the same acronym. Includes protocol components, session types,
  security features, and related services.
created: '2026-05-02'
modified: '2026-05-02'

terms:

  - term: RDP
    label: Remote Desktop Protocol
    definition: >-
      A proprietary Microsoft network protocol that provides a graphical interface
      to connect to another computer over a network. RDP transmits display, keyboard,
      mouse, and audio data between client and host. It typically operates on TCP/UDP
      port 3389 and is defined in the MS-RDPBCGR open specification.
    tags:
      - Protocol
      - Microsoft
      - Remote Access

  - term: RDPSession
    label: RDP Session
    definition: >-
      An active or disconnected remote desktop session on an RDS host. Each session
      has a unique session ID, state, and associated user. Multiple sessions can
      exist simultaneously on a single host.
    tags:
      - Remote Desktop Services
      - Session Management

  - term: RDSHost
    label: Remote Desktop Session Host
    definition: >-
      A Windows Server role (RDSH) that allows multiple users to connect
      simultaneously to run programs or access desktops. Formerly known as
      Terminal Server.
    tags:
      - Remote Desktop Services
      - Server Role

  - term: RDGateway
    label: RD Gateway
    definition: >-
      A role service that enables authorized users to connect to resources on an
      internal network from the internet using HTTPS. RD Gateway acts as a proxy
      between remote RDP clients and internal RDS servers.
    tags:
      - Remote Desktop Services
      - Security
      - Network

  - term: NLA
    label: Network Level Authentication
    definition: >-
      An authentication method for RDP that requires the connecting user to
      authenticate before a full remote session is established. NLA reduces the
      attack surface by rejecting unauthenticated connection attempts earlier
      in the handshake.
    tags:
      - Security
      - Authentication

  - term: VirtualChannel
    label: Virtual Channel
    definition: >-
      A multiplexed data channel within an RDP session that carries specific
      types of data (clipboard, audio, device redirection, etc.) independently
      from the primary display and input streams.
    tags:
      - Protocol Architecture
      - RDP

  - term: DeviceRedirection
    label: Device Redirection
    definition: >-
      An RDP feature that makes local client devices (printers, drives, smart
      cards, audio devices, USB) available within the remote session as if they
      were connected to the remote host.
    tags:
      - RDP Features
      - Remote Desktop Services

  - term: RDPFile
    label: RDP File
    definition: >-
      A plain-text configuration file with the .rdp extension containing all
      connection parameters for an RDP session. RDP files can be opened directly
      by the Microsoft Remote Desktop client on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
    tags:
      - Configuration
      - Client

  - term: RemoteApp
    label: RemoteApp
    definition: >-
      A Remote Desktop Services feature that publishes individual applications
      as if they were running locally on the user's machine, without exposing
      the full remote desktop.
    tags:
      - Remote Desktop Services
      - Application Delivery

  - term: RefinitivDataPlatform
    label: Refinitiv Data Platform (RDP)
    definition: >-
      A cloud-based financial data delivery platform from LSEG (formerly Refinitiv)
      that provides REST APIs for real-time and historical market data, news,
      reference data, ESG scores, and analytics. Authentication uses OAuth 2.0
      with short-lived access tokens. The Refinitiv Data Platform APIs are now
      published as LSEG Data Platform APIs.
    tags:
      - Financial Data
      - LSEG
      - REST API

  - term: SessionState
    label: Session State
    definition: >-
      The current status of an RDP session. Valid states include Active
      (connected and interactive), Connected (connected but no user logged in),
      Disconnected (user logged on but session is disconnected), Idle, and others
      defined by the WTS_CONNECTSTATE_CLASS enumeration.
    tags:
      - Session Management
      - Remote Desktop Services

  - term: EncryptionLevel
    label: RDP Encryption Level
    definition: >-
      The encryption strength negotiated for an RDP session. Levels range from
      None to FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards). Modern deployments
      should use TLS 1.2+ with High or FIPS encryption.
    tags:
      - Security
      - Protocol