Last updated on February 8, 2021
How to set up and use the Parallels HTML5 Client
First of all, what is the Parallels® Remote Application Server (RAS) HTML5 Gateway? The HTML5 Client is part of the RAS Secure Client Gateway and provides users access to Windows® applications and desktops from a web browser.
The Parallels HTML5 Client has been developed using only HTML5 technologies; this makes it a very fast, stable, and 100% device-independent alternative to native clients.
Using the HTML5 Client, there is no need for any installation or configuration. This is a key benefit, as it reduces the administrator’s touchpoints while increasing the deployment time. Another advantage of using the HTML5 Client is that access to your work environment is made incredibly easy! You can access your work environment from literally anywhere with an Internet connection, without the need for any specific device or setup. Users also have unified access to applications, desktops, and data securely through HTTPS.
This how-to guide is divided into two parts: the administrator’s perspective and the end user’s perspective. The administrator’s perspective focuses on the configuration and settings needed for the HTML5 Client to properly operate, since, as part of the Secure Client Gateway, the HTML5 Client needs to be implemented using the Parallels RAS Console. The end user’s perspective explains how to connect and use the HTML5 Client.
Setting Up the Parallels HTML5 Client
The HTML5 Client is part of the RAS Secure Client Gateway and provides users access to Windows® applications and desktops from a web browser. Read how you can setup this client through the RAS Console and distribute it seamlessly to your users.
Overview of the Parallels HTML5 Client
The Parallels HTML5 Client has been developed using only HTML5 technologies; this makes it a very fast, stable, and 100% device-independent alternative to native clients.
When using the HTML5 Client, there is no need for any installation or configuration. This is a key benefit, as it reduces the administrator’s touchpoints while increasing the deployment time. Another advantage of using the HTML5 Client is that access to your work environment is made incredibly easy! You can access your work environment from literally anywhere with an Internet connection without the need for any specific device or setup. Users also have unified access to applications, desktops, and data securely through HTTPS.
This how-to guide is divided into two parts: the administrator’s perspective and the end user’s perspective. The administrator’s perspective focuses on the configuration and settings needed for the HTML5 Client to properly operate, since, as part of the Secure Client Gateway, the HTML5 Client needs to be implemented using the Parallels RAS Console. The end user’s perspective explains how to connect and use the HTML5 Client.
Setting up the Parallels HTML5 Client
This section describes how to configure HTML5 Client in the Parallels RAS Console.
To use HTML5 Client, SSL must be enabled on the RAS Secure Client Gateway. By default, a self-signed certificate is created, but you may opt to use a certificate issued by a Certificate Authority. If the published certificate is not issued by a trusted Certificate Authority, the users connecting via the HTML5 Client may receive a prompt on their browser stating that the site they are about to enter may be unsafe. The Parallels RAS Console includes a certificate management interface Farm/<Site>/Certificates that allows you to manage all of your SSL certificates in one place.
HTML5 configuration can be managed from the Farm/<Site>/Gateway section of the Parallels RAS Console.
Select the Gateway you would like to add the HTML5 Gateway to, right-click, and then select Properties
Another dialogue box will appear; select the SSL/TLS tab. Check that the Enable SSL on Port checkbox is enabled and configure the other options according to your security requirements.
Finally, in the HTML5 tab, administrators can enable the feature through the Enable HTML5 Client checkbox and configure different HTML5 client usage options such as allowing users to choose which client to use, set a predefined client, or allow clipboard and file transfer commands.
To open Parallels HTML5 Client, enter the URL in an HTML5-enabled web browser. The URL has the following format https://[hostname].[domain]/RASHTML5Gateway
Establishing an RDP Session using the HTML5 Client
To establish an RDP Session, open an HTML5-compatible browser and enter the link in the address bar. The link may be provided by the administrator or received in an invitation email. Enter user credentials, as shown below, and then click on the Login button.
Once logged in, the HTML5 Gateway will check if the Parallels Client is installed on the device. If the Parallels Client is not detected and working accordingly to the administrator’s configuration, the user may be able to choose whether to use the HTML5 Client — once or always — or to install Parallels Client.
Once you have chosen the preferred option to open applications, all the available applications and desktops will be shown. To open a published application or desktop, simply double-click on the icon— yes, it’s as easy as that!
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