Are you thinking of purchasing an RDP but confused between Shared RDP and Admin RDP? If yes, then this article is for you. This article will discuss the types in detail, along with their differences here. By the end of this article, you will understand the difference between shared RDP and admin RDP.
RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) is a protocol for remotely connecting to a desktop computer. While buying an RDP from a server hosting company, they have several plans with prices increasing from the plan with the least control on the server to the plan with full control.
There are two types of RDP, defined as Shared RDP and Admin RDP. The Shared RDP, usually the base plan, has shared access to resources. And the Admin RDP, usually the highest price plan, provides full control.
What Is Shared RDP?
Shared RDP is similar to an account, not a server. In Shared RDP, a developer will not get any personal resources or IP addresses. All the major resources like RAM, CPU, Connectivity, and Bandwidth will be shared within the host server among other developers.
They will only get a dedicated storage space in a server. In Shared RDP, all the user accounts use a single server to store data. Also, the number of other developers or users you will have to share the resources with is defined by the subscription plan type.
In Shared RDP, management of accounts is through Active Directory Service of Windows Server. Being shared in nature, Shared RDP does not have any regular maintenance except that which occurs maybe once a month. If any individual Shared RDP consumes a high number of resources, it might affect other users.
If the server does not have any security or configuration, there will be some security issues in the user accounts. A website manager will not perform basic tasks involving the installation/uninstallation of software to the server. It will limit the possibilities of a website. Such websites with limited resources are only good for browsing-related uses.
Benefits Of Shared RDP
Some of the most sought-after benefits of using a Shared RDP are:
- Lowest cost for single-user accounts.
- No requirement of a website manager.
- An accelerated computational speed in comparison to conventional servers.
- Dedicated storage space, where most server hosting companies provide SSD storage.
- Faster network speeds.
What Is Admin RDP?
In Admin RDP, known as Dedicated RDP, the website manager gets administrator rights. The allocated size in the server is also much larger in comparison to Shared RDP. The resources obtained in Admin RDP are dedicated to the developer only, and they don’t have to share it with some other customer of the RDP host server.
A developer gets dedicated RAM, CPU, Storage, and Administrator level server rights. An unlimited size of resources is available from the host. The size of the dedicated resources may differ according to the plan subscribed from the host.
Administrator rights allow a developer to perform all actions such as, but not limited to, installation, uninstallation, rebooting, credential changes, partitioning, data resetting, etc.
With these, they can perform all the actions on the server as if they were their own without any restrictions. Complete access to the server also allows the developer to integrate security according to their server requirements. Admin RDPs are configurable, making them easy to regulate and manage.
Benefits of Admin RDP
Some of the best qualities of Admin RDP which make them popular among server RDPs are:
- A dedicated resource set makes the RDP connection much faster and reliable.
- Complete root access to the server.
- Increasable resources.
- Firewall creation options and access to security features.
- Customizable operating systems and programs.
- Dedicated IP address.
What is the Difference Between Shared RDP and Admin RDP?
1. Cost Of Shared RDP and Admin RDP
When asked the difference between shared RDP and admin RDP, the first thing that comes to mind is the price. Shared RDP is cheaper in comparison to Admin RDP because it has limited resources. Also, the host has no obligations to provide quality security and configuration to the server. Another reason why Shared RDP is cheap is that the host server company has to invest in only limited resources.
All the users simultaneously use the RAM, CPU, and Bandwidth, and the partitioning of storage is according to the addition of new customers. So, they don’t need much finance to run their server RDP business, reducing the cost bore by the final user, that is, the customer.
Admin RDP can be three to four times more costly than a Shared RDP with the same resources. Sometimes the cost can go much higher according to the resources allocated. The high price is due to the dedicated allocation of resources. The usage of RAM, CPU, Storage Space, Bandwidth, etc., will only be by the customer, and no one else will share these allocated resources.
Also, the IP address provided is dedicated, and no other website hosted by the server company will have similar IP. The customers will also get administrative rights to the server providing full freedom over managing and operating. The subscription plans reflect these additional services and have provisions to allocate more resources on demand.
2. Administrator Level Access In Shared RDP and Admin RDP
Shared RDP does not have Administrator level access to the server. The developer must take permission for integral changes or ask the developer to make the necessary changes. These changes include installing or uninstalling programs, erasing memory, resetting data, changing operating system, adding and removing users, etc.
An Admin RDP provides administrator-level access to the customer. The customer can use the hierarchy to make all possible changes to the server. They can also modify the server according to their changing requirements and applications. Such freedom in the server decisions makes it possible to not rely on the host company to do troubleshooting or corrections when some error occurs.
It allows the customer to provide their users with better services and rapid solutions to problems.
3. Resources In Shared RDP and Admin RDP
All the resources in a Shared RDP are of common use to the customers of the host company, and only the storage space provided is dedicated and inaccessible to any other customer. The Limited resources often affect the user experience in the server. When a single customer of the company uses up the resources to a high level, it affects the performance of other users as well.
It is not a good server quality when the customer wants to give multiple users access to their server. It is why Shared RDP is only preferred for browsing websites and has no facilities of user accounts or user data storage where multiple people can log in simultaneously.
The resources in Admin RDP are solely at the customer’s discretion, and no other customer of the host company has access to these. Dedicated resources allow the customer to utilize the resources to the maximum limit without depending on whether another customer is using them.
Such dedicated resources help the developer have a website with several registered accounts with extra storage facilities.
4. Installation Of Bots and Programs In Shared RDP and Admin RDP
The customer does not have permission or facilities to install any bot, program, or application in Shared RDP. It restricts the flexibility of the server according to the developer’s requirements.
Admin RDP allows bot and program installations to the server without any restrictions. The customer can add, remove or modify programs on their own without permission from the hosting company.
See Also: What is the Difference Between VPN and RDP?
5. IP In Shared RDP and Admin RDP
In a shared RDP, the customers get a shared RDP. It becomes similar to an account where they log in using credentials like other customers of the same hosting company. There is no individuality to the websites created in this space as they all have a common IP address.
A hosting company of Admin RDP has a different IP address for every customer. The customer gets a dedicated server along with the IP.
6. Ports In Shared RDP and Admin RDP
One of the main ports to use RDP is TCP port 3389. Shared RDP has access to this port but no other major port like port 25. The limitations in port access lead to limited features.
Admin RDP has access to all the ports. It gives the customer access to all the features of the RDP connection through Admin RDP plans.
7. Accounts In Shared RDP and Admin RDP
Most companies that provide Shared RDP servers can facilitate only one user. It means only one user can log in to the server through the credentials provided. If multiple users want to use the account, they will have to use the same login credentials.
Some Admin RDP allows up to 50 users in a single RDP server. Admin RDP allows different members of varying ranks to have restricted or open access to details according to their level. Multiple users also allow different website managers to manage the server.
8. Choice Of OS In Shared RDP and Admin RDP
In Shared RDP, the user has no choice but to go with the server operating system provided by the host. It might affect the performance as sometimes the host may not necessarily update or upgrade the versions upon release making new features inaccessible to the customer.
Admin RDP has full control over what operating system to use and when and how to install it. The user can choose any server operating system they prefer and install it to the server directly without taking help from the server host.
They can patch updates and upgrades to access new features of the server operating system. They can also perform server operating system restore to restore the changes made to the system.
9. Security In Shared RDP and Admin RDP
Another crucial answer to the question, the difference between shared RDP and admin RDP, is security. Security in Shared RDP is almost non-existent. The server host performs security checks at their convenience once or twice a month.
For websites with risk factors, this is too low. The week security affects the integrity of data transfer through the RDP connections.
With an Admin RDP connection, a user can use any security enforcement they require. They can perform security and error checking at any stipulated interval of time. With the increase in security, there is also an increase in the integrity of data transfer. It prevents data leaks and hacks during transmission.
10. Virtualization In Shared RDP and Admin RDP
Hosting of accounts in Admin RDP is through Virtualization. Shared RDP does not have any features of Virtualization.
Conclusion
We discussed Shared RDP and Admin RDP in detail. The difference of application of both types of RDP connections is in the major factors like cost, resources, and security.
The preference for Shared RDP is for single-user connections and is limited to browsing facilities. Admin RDP allows multiple user connections along with dedicated resources and integrated security.
Even though all major server hosting companies provide RDP hosting through Shared RDP and Admin RDP, you should select one specific to your needs. Shared RDP is for personal uses, while Admin RDP has business potential. Much importance is of Admin RDP because of its full control feature.
If you can afford the cost and have only one user, Admin RDP has better security features which is a must for RDP connections through the internet. Now you must understand what is the difference between shared RDP and admin RDP. Then go and select the best type of RDP from an excellent hosting company.