Windows RDP Server

What is an RDP server and how does it work?

An RDP server is a Windows Server machine whose screen, keyboard and mouse you use remotely over Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol; programs run on the server and only the screen image is sent to you. That is why your trading platform, bot or accounting software keeps running without interruption even if your internet connection is weak or your computer is switched off.

The connection is encrypted: the RDP session is protected with TLS, and with Network Level Authentication (NLA) enabled, not even the login screen is shown before authentication. The server is independent of your own hardware; whether you connect from an old laptop, a tablet or a phone, the work is done by the server's CPU and memory.

In short, an RDP server can be thought of as a Windows computer that lives in the cloud and never switches off.

Who is an RDP server suitable for?

An RDP server suits anyone who needs a Windows program to stay open 24/7 or needs to reach the same environment from several places. The most common user groups are:

• Forex and crypto traders: people running expert advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 4/5; details on the forex VPS page.
• Stock traders: people running market data terminals, formulas, signals and trading robots that need a constant connection.
• Small businesses and accountants: teams that want to share desktop accounting and ERP software from outside the office.
• Automation users: people running browser automation, data collection or a Windows-based bot server.
• Remote teams: teams that want to keep a licensed desktop application on one central machine.

If you want to host a website or run Linux-based services, an RDP server is not the right tool; VPS or hosting plans are better suited to that work.

How do you connect to an RDP server?

All you need to connect is the server's IP address and the administrator username and password; these appear on the service screen of the customer panel once provisioning is complete. Depending on your device:

1. Windows: type Remote Desktop Connection in the Start menu or run mstsc, then enter the IP address.
2. macOS: install Microsoft's official remote desktop client (Windows App) from the App Store and add a new PC.
3. iOS and Android: use the mobile version of the same official client.
4. Linux: the Remmina or FreeRDP client is enough.

A certificate warning on the first connection is normal; the server uses a self-signed certificate. By sharing local drives and the clipboard in the connection settings, you can move files with drag and drop. If you cannot connect, first check whether your local network blocks outbound connections to port 3389.

What does Windows Server 2022 give you?

LIONFIN RDP plans are installed with Windows Server 2022; this release is on Microsoft's long-term servicing channel and receives security updates regularly. The Desktop Experience interface resembles Windows 10/11: the Start menu, Task Manager and Control Panel are where you expect them.

Unlike desktop editions of Windows, Windows Server:

• Can add server roles (IIS web server, DNS, file server, Remote Desktop Services).
• Allows more than one administrator session by default.
• Can run background services while no user is logged in.
• Is managed centrally with Group Policy and advanced firewall rules.

Check your software vendor's system requirements to confirm that it supports Windows Server; most desktop applications run without problems, but some consumer software officially supports only Windows 10/11.

How many people can use the same RDP server?

Without extra licences, Windows Server allows two simultaneous administrative sessions; that is enough to manage the server and for a small team to connect occasionally. If more people need to work at the same time, each with their own desktop, the Remote Desktop Session Host (RD Session Host) role must be installed and a Remote Desktop Services Client Access Licence (RDS CAL) obtained for every user or device.

Microsoft grants a limited grace period for licensing after the role is installed; once it ends, unlicensed sessions are refused. If you plan multi-user use, sort out licensing from the start.

Creating a separate account for every user is far safer than sharing the same administrator account: you can see who did what, and when someone leaves, only their account is disabled.

Why is RDP preferred for forex, trading and accounting software?

What these programs have in common is that they need uninterrupted operation and a stable connection; an RDP server removes the risks of power cuts at home or the office, restarts after Windows updates and dropped internet connections.

• Forex robots: MetaTrader expert advisors only work while the platform is open. Because the platform stays open on the server, the robot trades through the night. A short network path to your broker's trade server reduces order transmission time.
• Market data terminals: live data feeds and formula scanners need a constant connection; running them on the server takes that load off your computer. Confirm with your data provider that your data licence allows use on a remote server.
• Accounting software: the database stays in one central place, and the office and the accountant reach the same data remotely; data is not scattered across personal computers.

The program's own licence is usually per device or per user; check your software vendor's terms before moving it to a server.

How do you secure an RDP server?

An RDP port open to the internet is one of the most common targets for brute-force password attempts, so the few settings you make on day one largely determine how secure the server is.

1. Strong password: set an administrator password of at least 14 characters with no dictionary words, and change the password delivered at first login.
2. Change the port: using a port other than the default 3389 reduces automated scanning noise.
3. IP restriction: if you have a static IP, open the RDP rule in Windows Defender Firewall only to that address.
4. Account lockout policy: temporarily lock the account after a set number of failed attempts.
5. Keep NLA on: do not disable Network Level Authentication.
6. Updates: keep Windows Update enabled and schedule restarts outside trading hours.

At the network level, LIONFIN's RouteFence firewall filters volumetric DDoS attacks before they reach the server; password security and account management, however, are your responsibility.

What infrastructure and network connection does the RDP server have?

RDP servers run on the LIONFIN network with 600 Gbit/s of total upstream capacity, in data center racks where the cold aisle is kept between 18 and 24 °C. The infrastructure is monitored 24/7 by NOC (network and hardware monitoring) and SOC (security monitoring) teams; our uptime target is 99.99%, which is a target, not a guarantee.

How smooth an RDP session feels depends on how quickly screen updates reach you; the servers are in Türkiye, so the closer you are to the region, the more responsive the mouse and keyboard feel. To improve smoothness:

• Choose the correct connection speed on the Experience tab of the connection settings.
• Turn off the desktop background and visual effects.
• Remember that very high resolutions or multi-monitor connections need more bandwidth.

The server's internet connection is independent of your home connection; large downloads and software updates finish much faster on the server.

Which RDP plan should you choose?

Choose an RDP plan by the total memory consumption of the programs that will be open at the same time and by the number of users; CPU is the second factor and disk the third. A practical way to measure:

1. Open your programs on your own computer as you would on a typical working day.
2. Note each one's memory and CPU usage in Task Manager.
3. Add headroom for Windows Server's own consumption.
4. If several users will connect, multiply the browser and office application usage per user.

Several MetaTrader terminals, a data terminal with many open charts or Chrome-based automation use more memory than expected; on a Windows server at its memory limit, programs start to freeze. Current vCPU, memory and disk values are in the table on this page; some plans include daily backups, as stated on the plan card. If your needs grow, you can move to a larger plan.

Which settings keep an RDP server running without interruption?

The three most important settings for running an RDP server for weeks without interruption are Windows Update scheduling, starting programs automatically and switching off unnecessary load. Default Windows settings are designed for desktop users; a trading server that runs 24/7 needs a few changes.

1. Update hours: set active hours so that Windows Update does not restart during market or office hours, and apply updates yourself at the weekend. Turning updates off completely leaves security holes.
2. Auto-start: put a shortcut to MetaTrader, your data terminal or your bot in the shell:startup folder, or define an "at log on" trigger in Task Scheduler, so programs reopen by themselves after an unexpected restart.
3. Sessions: some platforms need an interactive session; in that case get used to disconnecting rather than signing out.
4. Unnecessary load: disable unused startup programs in Task Manager and limit open browser tabs.
5. Antivirus exclusions: Windows Defender scanning folders that are written to constantly can strain the disk; add exclusions only for program folders you trust.

Once these settings are done, restart the server once and check that the programs open on their own.

What is the difference between an RDP server and a VDS?

An RDP server is a product focused on desktop work, delivered with Windows Server installed for use over Remote Desktop; a VDS is a general-purpose virtual server with dedicated cores and an operating system of your choice.

The practical distinction: if your job is keeping a program open on a Windows desktop, choose an RDP server; if it is setting up a server and publishing services, a VDS or VPS is the right start. You also have administrator rights on an RDP server, so you can add server roles, but the product is prepared for desktop use. If you will run several compute-heavy robots or a busy database, a VDS server with dedicated cores gives more consistent performance. The full decision guide is on the RDP server vs VDS page.

How do you back up and protect data on an RDP server?

Backing up data on an RDP server is your responsibility; even though some plans include daily backups, you should set up your own routine for critical files such as accounting databases or trading history.

• Windows Server Backup: install the Windows Server Backup feature via Server Manager → Add Roles and Features and define scheduled backups.
• Application backups: use the built-in backup tools of your accounting and ERP software; copying an open file can produce an inconsistent backup.
• Off-server copy: regularly copy backups to storage outside the server.
• Ransomware precautions: do not open unknown attachments or software on the server, and keep at least one backup that cannot be written from the server.

Running restore tests regularly is the only way to know whether a backup really works.