RDP Performance (Windows CE 5.0)

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The RDP mode of operation affects performance. When not running in GWES, RDP calls into GWES frequently to perform tasks related to updating the graphical display. Because GWES runs in its own process space, each call into it has the overhead of a call to a function in another process. When running in GWES, this overhead does not exist, so performance increases significantly. However, because RDP shares the heap with GWES, the maximum number of simultaneous sessions is reduced. For more information, see RDP Modes of Operation in Windows CE.

RDP performance may suffer when bitmap cache is first created and is being intitalized.

If data transmitted over the network is expensive, then choose a large RAM cache and turn on the persistent cache. By default, persistent cache is turned off. You can enable it by using the BitmapPersistenceEnabled value in the registry. For more information, see Configuring the Terminal Services Client or Terminal Services Client Configuration through the .rdp File.

Persistent caching can improve performance but requires additional disk space. For information about setting persistent caching, see Bitmap and Caching Properties of IMsRdpClientAdvancedSettings.

The performance of the graphic driver will greatly impact the performance of RDP.

The following table shows some other ways that may improve RDP performance:

Task Description
Turn off the desktop background setting on the RDP client. You can do this by using functions. For more information, see IMsTscAdvancedSettings::get_allowBackgroundInput and IMsTscAdvancedSettings::put_allowBackgroundInput.
Turn off the 'Show contents of window while dragging'. To do this, set the disable full window drag value in the registry or .rdp file to 0.
Turn off the 'Menu and window animation'. To do this, set the disable menu anims value in the registry or .rdp file to 0.
Turn off 'Themes'. To do this, set the disable themes value in the registry or .rdp file to 0.
Leave 'Bitmap Caching' disabled. To do this, set the BitmapPersistenceEnabled value in the registry or .rdp file to 0.

To improve performance, the user can do the following:

  • Turn off all redirected audio and redirected devices, including printers, disk drive, smart cards, and serial port.
  • On the Display tab in the RDP client UI, choose 256 Color.
  • On the Experience tab in the RDP client UI, select Modem (28.8 Kbps).

See Also

Remote Desktop Protocol | RDP User Scenario Performance Test | Terminal Services Client Configuration through the .rdp File | RDP Registry Settings

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