Setting up Win2k Terminal Server Advice

[RageMonkey]

Hi guys.

Im weighing up the options of allowing remote workers to access our accounting software.

So I'm looking at Terminal services. As most of our people have WinXP pro they should have a license already?

So my question is more of an "Am i on the right lines"

We would require two servers.
1) That deals with Terminal services
2) That is a license /VPN server.

So this means two separate purchases of win2k server.

By buying a version of 2k server that has 5 or so CAL users - does this mean any 5 users to Terminal servers.. Or does it mean only 5 users with a valid license i.e. owning a copy of XP or Win2K Pro.

We wont be using terminal services for anything other than allowing remote users in to use our accounting software etc as most machines here are running on laptops etc. Even then the amount of remote users wont be more than 5 light users.

Id really appreciate any advice

 

[mrmoneymatters]

First of all, your license server can be the same server that hosts terminal services. It doesn't have to be two different servers.
Second, Win2k and XP have a license to access terminal services already.
The 5 you are talking about is connections, meaning 5 people can access the server.

 

[TravisM]

Actually, you must install the license server on a domain controller.

It probably would be wise to have a seperate VPN device, but is there any compelling reason to use W2K instead of a VPN appliance? What are you using for your WAN stuff? What about your firewall, does it support VPN in some way? It could be a bit expensive sing W2K for it, which you could pick up a PIX or a cheap router/firewall device that will support VPN.

If all the clients accessing the machine will have XP/2K then you will not have to worry about TS CALS, but you still will be limited in connections by the server CALs, so just make sure that you do per session, not per seat and then you can at least get 5 people in at once.

 

[pweegar]

If you want to remotely connect to a server, why not go with something like RealVNC (It's FREE!). Terminal Services can be a pain in the butt. Why? Suppose you log into server1. Program A is running on the server, started by someone else. You will NOT see that program! The task manager may show it running as a service. The ONLY way to shut down that program (IF you want it shut down ) is to kill it thru task mananger. Not very nice. However, with VNC, you see all the programs running on a server and can control them. Best thing about VNC is it's FREE and You can make as many connections as you want. However, performance may become an issue.

Performance is about the same as TS. I use both here at work and very much prefer VNC to TS. Just my 2 cents.

 

[RageMonkey]

Thanks guys

If i make the server the domain controller too, can i then have terminal services and the license server on it as well?

(we are talking about 4-5 people max and light users)

"It probably would be wise to have a seperate VPN device,"

Our router is a VPN endpoint, but the documentation isnt that fantastic. Its an D-Link DI 824VUP.

"If you want to remotely connect to a server, why not go with something like RealVNC"

I already use this to connect to the NT box at the other office, its a great program. However it doesnt quite meet our needs. We are using sage to do accounts and Stock lists and whats not. So we need simultanious remote connections to this software as the database is heavily file based so no ODBC or simple VPN option

So to use realVNC we would need 5 PCs (which with a few old crappy 98 boxes around isnt a terrible idea lol)

Thanks for all the help guys, im starting to join the dots

 

[dissolved]

Yes licensing and terminal services are installed on the same machine usually. Terminal services is the answer here. VNCs technlogoy is fine for LANs, but once you get it across WANs you're asking for trouble . By the way, how are your sites connected?

 

[RageMonkey]

Trouble is with VNC is as well you need to ask them to logon, which gets annoying lol

The sites are connected just now using two bog standard adsl lines. Im a little concerned with the 25k upload speed. But then again, like i mentioned, its unlikely that the users will be hammering it.

Just one more quick question.

If we got the 5 CAL License, does that mean only 5 simultaneous mapped net work drives to the server? I.e. public drive.