Would you like to have:
Your IT infrastructure centralized?
ALL your invaluable data backed up and secure?
Your branches connected as they where a floor above?
Your sales people having real time access to your applications?
.
Terminal Services overview
Terminal Services provides remote access to a Microsoft® Windows® desktop through "thin client" software, allowing the client computer to serve as a terminal emulator. Terminal Services transmits only the user interface of the program to the client. The client then returns keyboard and mouse clicks to be processed by the server. Each user logs on and sees only their individual session, which is managed transparently by the server operating system and is independent of any other client session. Client software can run on a number of client hardware devices, including computers and Windows-based terminals. Other devices, such as Macintosh computers or UNIX-based workstations, can use additional third-party software to connect to a server running Terminal Server (Citirix Presentation Server).
Terminal Server provides an effective and reliable way to distribute Windows-based programs with a network server. With Terminal Server, a single point of installation allows multiple users to access the desktop on a server running one of the Windows Server operating systems. Users can run programs, save files, and use network resources as if they were sitting at that computer.
Benefits and Limitations
The following is a general summary of Terminal Server benefits and limitations.
Benefits
- Reduced administration time and cost
- Quick and easy 'roll-out' of all of your windows applications as you simply need to install them once on the server instead of on every single PC. This is the easiest way to get complete firm-wide standardisation and a stable user 'desktop'.
- Makes upgrading and patching of existing software quick, easy and simple. Instead of having to attend and troubleshoot multiple PC's you simply need to apply an upgrade or patch to the server and this will be immediately available on every PC session.
- Administration of the entire system including each individual users 'PC session' as well as remote support, similar to Windows Remote Assistant, can be done from the administrators own 'PC session'. This could be done from any location, even from home. This means there is no need to physically 'visit' each user at their desk. An absolute godsend if users are at remote branches or working from home (May need Citrix Presentation Server).
- The overall infrastructure is modular and scalable which means that should the number of users increase these can be accommodated by simply connecting them in. Also, additional Terminal Servers can be added very easily should a significant increase in users or processing requirements occur.
- Low-bandwidth access to data
- Where remote office or home users are involved instead of having a high bandwidth leased line you might well be able to connect them using the Internet. With leased lines costing many $1000's to install and the same per annum for rental this could be a massive cost saving.
- Gives remote users at branch offices or home a connection to the system which operates at a similar speed/response to ' head office'. This gives users the opportunity to do real work without compromising efficiency or becoming stressed over poor response time and its effects on performance.
- Increased security for Remote Users while simplified and more user friendly handling.
- As all applications and data are running centralized it is possible to make access to the system extremely secure preventing any unauthorised use.
- It is possible to have a new user go to a website, have it login and all the required software will be downloaded automatically as an active-x control or Java applet. The connection will be secured over SSL and no additional steps required on the client side (Requires several additional Citrix Products).
- Possibility to run Windows applications on any kind of computer.
- As the PC simply becomes a 'display device' there is no need to have to continually replace your existing PC desktops. Any type or age of PC will quite happily operate over Microsoft Terminal Services as long as they have an adequate monitor and graphic card.
- Could not convince your long time graphics designer to switch from Mac to Windows? No problem, install the Terminal Server Client Software on his Mac and he is able to use your Windows based applications (May require Citrix Presentation Server).
Limitations
- Not suitable for graphic intensive programs. For example: CAD, Desktop Publishing, Video - Audio editing and so on.
- Needs a reliable connection with an average latency. Satellite is not reasonable for daily use, due to its high latency, but will work for short essential tasks. Dial-UP, in most cases, works well.
- Some old or very specialized programs may not be compatible with Terminal Server.
- Some special devices cannot be accessed over a Terminal Server session.
Do I need Citrix Presentation Server?
The Definitive value-add for Microsoft Windows Terminal Server
Microsoft® Windows® Terminal Server is the underlying platform for Citrix Presentation Server™ – the application virtualization solution for providing any user with secure access to client/server applications from anywhere using any device or connection. Windows Terminal Server provides base-level functionality designed for low-complexity environments. Complexity isn’t necessarily associated with size or scale as Presentation Server provides significant value-add for even the smallest deployments of Terminal Services. Low complexity scenarios is viewed as having an environment with a few number of applications, where no load management is needed, and the users have simple printing needs.
However, most IT organizations have complex environments, where they need to face the day-to-day challenges of:
- Providing instant, easy, and secure access to applications across the organization
- Meeting the end-user demand for a consistent access experience to information
- Reducing the complexity of delivering and maintaining applications
- Supporting incompatible applications and multiple types of devices
- Increasing data security and controlling access to business information
- Reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) while supporting business expansion and growth
- Ensuring business mobility
Presentation Server delivers high value on top of Terminal Services while lower TCO, improves security, and delivers better performance for client/server applications.
