Error: "The connection has been terminated because an unexpected server authentication certificate was received from the remote computer"

book

Article ID: CTX138904

calendar_today

Updated On:

Description

When a Windows XP user attempts to connect to a Load Balancing virtual server, the following error occurs:
“The connection has been terminated because an unexpected server authentication certificate was received from the remote computer.”

Resolution

To resolve the issue, open the .RDP file in a notepad and set the authentication attribute to 0 as follows:

authentication level:i:0

Now, Windows XP user can connect to the Windows servers through the Load Balancing virtual server.

Problem Cause

This issue occurs because a custom remote desktop connection file with the .RDP extension is used to start the connection. The RDP file is generated from the Remote Desktop client (MSTSC.EXE) that runs Windows XP. The security enhancements in the later versions of the Windows Operating System are not supported in Windows XP. So, the connection opened by the Remote Desktop client enforces the security enhancements because of the “authentication level:i:2” attribute defined in the .RDP file.

This attribute identifies the target Windows computer prior to connection. Windows XP does not support this security enhancement, and also the Load Balancing virtual server has no certificate. The connection invoked with the .RDP file and the Remote Desktop client has failed automatically.

Issue/Introduction

This article provides a resolution for the error "The connection has been terminated because an unexpected server authentication certificate was received from the remote computer".