Note: The configuration of these prerequisites may vary depending on the smart card vendor.

Drivers for the smart card AND the smart card reader installed on the RDP server as well as on the client machines that will connect to the RDP server.

A RDP server (2008, 2008R2, 2012, 2012 R2) joined to the same domain and it should allow the domain users to log in via smart card.

Enterprise PKI and issued user certificates.

Active Directory configured for authenticating domain users with smart card.

Stage 1: Smart Card Setup Prerequisitesīefore Parallels Remote Application Server is able to authenticate users with smart cards, the system must be configured correctly according to the prerequisites listed below. In this guide we will walk through a 4 stage setup procedure to use smart card authentication with a Parallels Remote Application Server environment. When users insert their smart cards through the smart card reader, the card implements multiple factors of authentication which secures the threat of hackers gaining access to sensitive applications, desktops and data stored in a datacenter. This makes the smart card a perfect solution to security conscious businesses. The smart card chip can store authentication information for a specific user such as PIN. Organizations worldwide are adopting strong authentication solutions to validate an individual’s identity before providing access to computer networks, systems and applications. Smart cards are small plastic cards, similar to credit cards with an embedded microchip that can be set up to store user authentication information.

Smart card reader mac