Installing the RemoteFX Cap Driver
Updated: February 16, 2011
Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1
The RemoteFX cap driver allows you to use a baseboard management controller to view the server console during the BIOS sequence, while in safe mode or when the Windows operating system stops unexpectedly and an error message appears on a blue screen. Installing the RemoteFX cap driver is useful if you need to manage your RemoteFX server remotely using KVM over IP.
Important
If you install the RemoteFX cap driver, the integrated video adapter is disabled while the operating system is running.
The following table provides considerations for whether to use the RemoteFX cap driver. Each row is a separate option for how to enable RemoteFX when using a baseboard management controller that uses an XDDM driver.
| Option | Is the console visible by using a KVM? | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
BIOS |
Safe mode |
Windows is running |
||
|
The integrated video adapter that uses an XDDM driver is disabled in the BIOS. |
No |
No |
No. (The server can be viewed by using an RDP connection but not through the baseboard management controller.) |
|
|
An external KVM is connected to the GPU on the RemoteFX server, which uses a WDDM driver. The integrated video adapter that uses an XDDM driver is disabled in the BIOS. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes. (The server can be viewed through the external KVM or by using an RDP connection.) |
|
|
The RemoteFX cap driver is installed and the integrated onboard video adapter remains enabled. |
Yes |
Yes |
No. (The server can be viewed by using an RDP connection but not through the baseboard management controller.) |
|
Before installing the RemoteFX cap driver, the WDDM driver for the video adapter should be installed and RemoteFX should be enabled. When installing the RemoteFX cap driver, ensure that the following steps are completed in order:
Enable the baseboard controller in the BIOS per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Install the WDDM driver for the video adapter.
Enable RemoteFX by using Server Manager.
Install the RemoteFX cap driver.
To install the RemoteFX cap driver
From an elevated command prompt, type dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-RemoteFX-EmbeddedVideoCap-Setup-Package, and then press ENTER.
After the command has completed successfully, restart the RemoteFX server.
Note
If you manage a KVM switch over IP with an onboard management adapter, install the RemoteFX cap driver after you have enabled RemoteFX. The RemoteFX cap driver supports KVM access over IP prior to the point where the Windows operating system loads (so that you can access the BIOS). After the operating system has loaded, you can access the RemoteFX server by using RDP or a non-Microsoft solution to manage the KVM switch over IP.
You may choose to disable the RemoteFX cap driver to troubleshoot issues on the RemoteFX server. To disable the RemoteFX cap driver, type the following at a command prompt: dism /online /disable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-RemoteFX-EmbeddedVideoCap-Setup-Package, press ENTER, and then restart the computer.