Creating a new Windows Server 2016 RDS Collection fails with: “.FQDN Unable to configure the RD Session Host server .FQDN. Invalid operation”

Problem

You need to add an additional RD Session Host Server to an existing RDS deployment then create a new RDS Collection with the server so you proceed to add the server:

image

Once you’ve successfully added the server, you proceed to add the server as a RD Session Host Servers in the Remote Desktop Services management console:

image

image

Once successfully added as a RD Session Host server, you proceed to create a new collection with the server:

image

The collection is successfully created by the add server operation fails with the following error message:

<ServerName>.FQDN Unable to configure the RD Session Host server <ServerName>.FQDN. Invalid operation

image

Solution

As per the following KB article:

You cannot create a session collection and an error occurs in Windows Server 2012
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/3014614/you-cannot-create-a-session-collection-and-an-error-occurs-in-windows

… this can be caused by GPOs configuring one of the following two settings:

Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesWindows ComponentsRemote Desktop ServicesSecurity

Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesWindows ComponentsRemote Desktop ServicesRemote Desktop Session HostLicensing

In this example, the environment had a GPO that configured the RDS Licensing server:

image

To correct the issue, move the computer object to another OU to prevent the GPO from being applied thus unconfiguring the licensing server:

image

Delete the collection and recreate it:

image

image

3 Responses

  1. Thank you very much, your picture of License Server registry key led me by the right way. Because I had no GPO configured as suggested by MS KB, it was just some leftover after decomissioning RD License Server. Looks like the Server Manager's remove role didn't removed the role correctly 🙁

  2. This is brilliant!. Immediately i disabled the policy. it worked !!!

    Thank you Man!

  3. That's strange, that existing License server interfere with new collection. Ain't I allowed to use my current license server for new collection?