Remote desktop sessions using the RDP often face a specific type of connectivity problem. If you try to run a license-protected app on a remote server, you’ll find that you have trouble recognizing your local USB devices over RDP (dongles in our case). In many cases, vendors disable the ability to access security keys over RDP, leading to reduced productivity and wasted time.
This article demonstrates a simple and convenient method of using USB dongles in remote desktop sessions with a dedicated and very efficient software solution.
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Native features and functionality make it difficult to use a USB dongle with Windows Remote Desktop. Donglify enables you to access a locally attached USB dongle from a remote desktop session. The dongle will be recognized as if it is directly attached to the remote session.
Donglify is simple to use and install. The tool does not require any extensive configuration and is compatible with virtually any USB dongle.
After establishing the connection, the client machine’s Device Manager will recognize the dongle as if it is physically attached. The full functionality of the security key will be available to the user in the remote desktop session.
USB Network Gate is a versatile software tool that has many uses when working with remote USB devices. Using this capability, USB Network Gate can connect a remote desktop session with a USB dongle.
This USB dongle redirector software enables users to connect to locally attached dongle keys over RDP. A connection made in this way makes the license dongle over RDP appear as it has a direct connection to the remote session.
USB Network Gate eliminates the problem of being unable to use the features of a protected app on your remote session due to issues with dongle connectivity. This simple method of redirecting a USB dongle over RDP ensures your session will be able to recognize and access the key’s information.
Here is a handy video that will help you get started.
A nice feature of USB Network Gate is that it only displays USB devices that have been shared by the host machine. You can search for other available network-connected USB devices with the app.
There is also an “RDP auto-connect” option that automatically establishes remote desktop dongle connectivity so you can get right to work without opening USB Network Gate’s interface.
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In this article, you’ve learned how to securely and efficiently attach USB dongles to the remote desktop session. Depending on your preferences and use case, it can either be done with Donglify, which is specialized in sharing security dongles among multiple users, or with USB Network Gate, which is more tailored towards sharing USB dongles natively over RDP.
