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Do I need Terminal Server?

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by jimmyc

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I have 3 long distance sites that are tied together by VPN. The server at one site runs an accounting package that we also need access to at site #2. We tried mapping the server drive and loading the program at the remote site - but moving that much data on the VPN is entirely too slow. We tried setting up three "dummy" terminals and running pcAnywhere on the VPN. This works but the terminals have to be rebooted 2 or 3 times a day. What are my options?

13 replies

by spydergst1

You could use teminal server or Citrix Metaframe.You could have all servers in one location the application should be balanced between all the server (serverfarm). Users would then access the application which is configured as a published application load balanced between all servers. So the next connection to come in will be routed to the server with the least active connections. All processing is done on the server side. The only data going across the network will be screen shots of what is happening on the server. If you decide to go with with thin client solution I suggest using 128 bit encryption. The are a few ways clients can connect. The can dial in, connect via the web, or if they are already on the network they can connect directly no matter what their location.

While there are a lot of benifits to using thin client i'm not sure if this is the right solution for you. All variables must be wieghed before you can make that decision.If there is easier way to resolve your problem then I'm not aware it.

I hoped my insight helped. Reguards.

by garetjax

Jimmy -

In your situation, I would definitely consider deploying MSTS (and maybe Citrix MetaFrame on top of TS as well). Accounting packages want lots of bandwidth. Numbers from Great Plains state that 256Kb of bandwidth is needed per user. Thats 6 per T1 max (not counting other user traffic). Using TS, your bandwidth requirement goes down to 14.4-28.8Kb per user. Performance is also faster for the end user because data is moving back and forth.

Good luck.

by aekland

I would give it a try. I haven't used nt4 terminal but 2k terminal server is great. Test first as some apps do not support 2k or terminal mode, also licensing can be expensive without 2k clients. The web client is a nice feature and can make access very easy with only a web plugin for install. If you have 2k I would install the term services and give it a test. Depending on the number of users and the amount of work you may need a big system or systems.

by asosa

I recomend you first to evaluate the type of app, It is as server/app i mean you use sql or oracle as a database mgr, or you usa acces or fox pro.
If your are the second option, let metellyou that not all the app run well on terminal server

by mckaytech

Windows2000 Terminal Services would probably work well if your accounting package is supported. However, licensing costs are not trivial and it may require some bodacious hardware on the server depending on the number of concurrent users.

Those costs need to be balanced against the costs of increasing the speed of your VPN, but I'm guessing that Terminal Services would be your most cost-effective solution.

paul

by gregory w. smith

Also keep in mind that NT 4 TSE is basically disappearing from the channel and support for it is not as good as the support for 2000 with Terminal services. You could easily setup a 2000 server and just license it for user access by the 3-5 people you want to use the accounting package...

Gregory W. Smith, MCSE+I, Citrix Certified Administrator

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