Does anyone know how much data it uses when I use Windows Remote Desktop Connection for an hour for normal office uses?
I'm asking because I need to connect to a computer remotely and I have to pay for the amount of data I use. Thanks
#1244988 23-Feb-2015 16:36
How much bandwidth RDP uses depends on the settings used: color depth, resolution, themes on etc etcOn your home PC end you can check how many Bytes/sec the rdp client is using in Resource Monitor > Network, look for the process named mstsc.exe [Note: values show are in B not KB /s]ExampleSettings: 32bit color, 1920x1080, single screen/monitor, font smoothing on, desktop comp on, visual styles on, client win7, server 2008R2- Idle/Minimized = nothing- Browsing folders/files in Windows Explorer = Wi-Fi. Click on the Wi-Fi connection you are connecting to [hot spot].
Then set the connection as a Metered connection as shown in the image above.
OneDrive Bandwidth limiting or disabling using metered licencing:
To prevent OneDrive syncing data, you would need to edit the settings within one drive.
When using the metered connection, you would need to ensure the highlighted tick box is selected “Automatically pause sync when this device is on a metered network.”
If you really do need OneDrive, then you can also configure bandwidth limiting on one drive.
You can set both the download and upload rate within the network tab of Windows.
Disable windows updates whilst using a metered connection:
One of the biggest consumers of data is windows updates. Check to ensure that updates are not being downloaded when a metered connection is enabled.
Ensure the option “Download updates over metered connections” is disabled.
Windows Sync
Ensure you are not syncing your settings as this will consume data.
VDI / RDP Techniques to reduce bandwidth
MSTSC – Remote Desktop Connection
This is section of the article most which will be more interesting for most organisations. Using RDP / Remote access technologies is one of the best ways to ensure home workers can connect to company resources with a very small data footprint.
If you are using the RD Gateway to connect to a home PC, you can adjust your bandwidth using MSTSC.
This allows you to reduce the required bandwidth and demand of data. You will note that in the experience section, I have shown two speed settings “low-speed broadband [256kbps – 2 Mbps]” / “Modem [56Kbps]” and have un-ticked all the visual nice to haves. There are draw backs to this from a visual perspective, but i am sure you would agree its better than paying significant amounts for a data plan.
Microsoft Remote Desktop Services – Custom RDP file
Same as above but for a collection of users within Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Services.
using powershell, you can set the bandwidth using a custom RDP property:
you will note that i have used a linefeed character [`n].
Set-RDSessionCollectionConfiguration –CollectionName QuickSessionCollection -CustomRdpProperty “enableworkspacereconnect:i:0 `n disable wallpaper:i:1 `n allow font smoothing:i:0 `n allow desktop composition:i:0 `n disable full window drag:i:1 `n disable menu anims:i:1 `n disable themes:i:1 `n disable cursor setting:i:0”
Custom RDP File:
you can also create custom RDP files and send these out to your users to connect this works well if you users are connecting to work PC’s in the office.
VPN users:
The way to manage VPN users would be to set traffic management and configure a maximum bandwidth per client were possible.
This would stop any large files being sent over the VPN to a mobile hot spot.
The recommended approach would be to use MSTSC [RDP Files] configured with low bandwidth, allowing users to access work PC’s or VDI. Pixel streaming is one of the best ways to reduce network bandwidth and preserve a mobile data plan.
Avoid using VPN application / Desktop access portals unless they offer the ability to manage performance bandwidth for each client connecting.
Parallels RAS:
Parallels allows you to deploy policy’s under groups which allows you to enable bandwidth reductions measures on a subset of users [slow network users].
you can apply similar settings within Parallel’s RAS’s Client Policy section.
See the link for more information //kb.parallels.com/en/124488
VMware Horizon View:
For those organisations using Horizon View, it is definitely worth understanding which users are running slow connections and adjusting their connection to a lower bandwidth profile. You can do this by configuring smart policy’s or by using the PCoIP ADMX template file [Set controls using Group Policy.].
Find out more about VMware’s Horizon Bandwidth profiles here
Citrix Info:
The following link details some of the XenApp and XenDesktop policies you can adjust or turn off to reduce the required client bandwidth.
//docs.citrix.com/en-us/xenapp-and-xendesktop/7-15-ltsr/policies/reference/ica-policy-settings/bandwidth-policy-settings.html
Summary:
In summary, I have detailed some of the measures you can take to preserve data. I have also covered some of the common remote working tools used and provided suggestions to reduce the bandwidth requirements per client.
I hope this helps businesses and users out there who have to use Mobile Data for the day to day running of work and life.
Any questions or help, message me.
References:
Communities.teradici.com. 2020. Pcoip Bandwidth Maximums For Software Clients – Teradici. [online] Available at:
Docs.vmware.com. 2020. Pcoip Bandwidth Settings. [online] Available at:
Docs.vmware.com. 2020. Bandwidth Profile Reference. [online] Available at:
Parallels Knowledge Base. 2020. KB Parallels: Managing Client Policies In Version 16.5. [online] Available at:
Docs.citrix.com. 2020. Bandwidth Policy Settings. [online] Available at:
information, H. and charges, C., 2020. Check Data Costs For Your Mobile Phone Or Device From Vodafone. [online] Vodafone.co.uk. Available at:
Watchguard.com. 2020. Traffic Management Examples. [online] Available at: