Goose IT
2026-09-07 • By Jeffrey de Leeuw

Deploying a Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Deploying a Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Introduction

Parallels RAS is a fantastic product for SME companies. For an overview of what Parallels RAS is and the services we provide to help organizations design, deploy, and manage their RAS environments, visit Parallels RAS page.

Deploying Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is often much simpler than many organizations expect. Whether you're delivering applications to remote workers, creating a centralized desktop environment, or modernizing your digital workspace, a successful deployment starts with proper planning.

This article walks you through the key stages of your first Parallels RAS Farm in combination with a Microsoft RDS environment.

Prerequisites


Before starting, check the Hardware Requirements on the Parallels website.
Also verify if the following components are in place in your environment:

• Active Directory set up
• DNS resolution
• Up to date Windows Server(s)
• Remote Desktop Services licensing is available (Cals)

The total amount of servers depends on the choices you make during the installation.
In this post we will install all the components on one server, which is fine for small business or POC environments.

Installing RAS


After downloading the installation package, launch the setup wizard on the server.


1. On the first screen click NextWelcome.png


2. Accept the terms in the License Agreement and click NextTerms.png

3. Enable or Disable the use of the Parallels Customer Experience ProgramCustomerExperience.png

4. Select a installation destionation and click NextDestination.png

5. At this point choose _Custom_ to manage your own choices and click NextSelectType.png

6. Here we choose wat we want, in this particular go through we catch everything on the same machine so we let everything default and hit NextChoose.png

7. Accept that firewall rules will be created and click NextFirewall.png

8. Read the notice so you would be aware of the ports mainly if you will run all the components on one machine, like we do in this example. Click NextNotice.png

9. In another article we will bring up the SSO feature, so in this case we will install the SSO module as wellsso.png

10. Hit InstallInstall.png


Set up your environment

Now you have installed all the components you can set up the environment.
Start the Parallels RAS Console.

Parallels first start.png

Enter the FQDN or IP address of the server where you have RAS Publishing Agent installed. If you've installed all core RAS components (Publishing Agent, Secure Client Gateway, etc.) on the same server, enter that server name or address. Like in this post we have installed all the components on the same server so we choose to login to localhost.

Because its the first time the Parallels Remote Application Server Console is launched, you need to specify the credentials of a user with administrative privileges (usually a domain or local administrator). The specified user will be automatically configured as the Parallels Remote Application Server administrator. So be aware off the choice you make.

After you logged in for the first time first finish your license activation.

The farm is now ready for future publication of resource.


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