As user expectations rise and remote work becomes the norm, connection reliability is more critical than ever. Microsoft’s RDP Multipath is a major leap forward in delivering fast, resilient connections to Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) — especially when compared to traditional RDP Shortpath.
What is RDP Multipath?
RDP Multipath builds upon RDP Shortpath by intelligently opening multiple UDP-based transport paths between the client and session host. It continuously selects the best-performing path, improving latency, connection stability, and overall user experience.
STUN (Shortpath) vs TURN (Multipath)
✅ STUN (green): Used by RDP Shortpath to establish a direct UDP path.
✅ TURN (purple): Introduced by Multipath for added redundancy and failover.
Multipath vs Shortpath – At a Glance
| Feature | Shortpath | Multipath | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Paths | 1 | Multiple | Redundancy and failover |
| Failover | Manual reconnect | Automatic switching | Seamless experience |
| Bandwidth Handling | Limited | Optimised per flow | Better performance |
| Connection Stability | Moderate | High | Reliable session continuity |
Benefits of RDP Multipath
🔄 Resilient failover — fallback options without disconnects
⚡ Improved performance — always chooses the fastest route
🌍 Better experience for global users
🧑💼 Smoother sessions and higher productivity
How to Implement RDP Multipath in AVD
1. Firewall Configuration
Allow outbound UDP to Microsoft STUN/TURN endpoints on ports:
🔐 Port 3389 (standard RDP)
🔐 Port 3390 (Shortpath / Multipath)
💡 Protocols: UDP & TCP
2. Host Pool Requirements
✅ AVD Client: MSRDC 1.2.6074+ or Windows App 2.0.366.0+
✅ Session Host OS: Windows 11 Enterprise or Server 2022+
✅ No special Azure Portal setting needed
3. Registry Key / Group Policy
Add the following registry key to enable Multipath:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\RdpCloudStackSettings] "SmilesV3ActivationThreshold"=dword:00000100
Can also be applied via GPO or Intune.
How to Confirm It’s Active
Using Nerdio to Simplify Deployment
Nerdio Manager for Enterprise streamlines deployment at scale:
🔧 Registry key automation
📊 Nerdio Insights to monitor Multipath performance
⚙️ Zero-touch provisioning across hosts
Learn More
Final Thoughts
RDP Multipath is a game-changer for enterprise-grade AVD reliability and performance. It’s easy to enable and delivers immediate results — especially when paired with automation tools like Nerdio Manager.
Need help implementing Multipath or upgrading your AVD environment? Fabs Solutions is here to help.
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