Terminal server vs citrix

[bentley45]

I currently use Citrix XP to publish applications for remote users. The users access their applications via Program Neighborhood Agent. I DO NOT publish the Citrix server desktop.

I have seen some comparisons of Citrix and TS 2003, but none have addressed how the client actually gets to the application. The old TS way was to publish the desktop and let them run programs from there. I do not want to do that. I like the way Program Neighborhood Agent functions and how the apps appear to the user, but if we can get the same functionality from TS 2003, with the reduced cost, I will go that way.

Botttom line, does TS 2003 work the same way as Citrix in that I do not have to publish the desktop for clients to get to their applications? If so, how? Thanks!

 

[4Runnah]

Hey bently45,

If I'm understanding you correctly, you should be able to go under options of an RDP connection on the client, put in the ip or name of the TS then go to the programs tab, enter the path of the executable in there, go back to options and then save the RDP connection to the users desktop. When they open it, it will go directly to the app on your TS without any access to the desktop. Hope this helps.

 

[hannahsh]

Yes that works, it should be said terminal services with all the new features of server 2003 is increadable. The only issue I believe is it uses slightly more bandwidth, everthing else is available on the server either via terminal server or by other server services - load balance and clustering,

Citrix is finally dead

 

[ascotta]

Yes but they don't automatically get the icons on their desktop and start menu. What if you add apps or change file locations. To do published apps Citrix is the only way to go. Just so much less work for us !!

[blue]Arguably the best cat skinner around ! [/blue]

Cheers
Scott

 

[hannahsh]

This arguement all depends on the number of users involved and whether users are local or on a remote site. And another important point, it depends on whether your financial director is in a position to fund Citrix just to publish an icon or 2 on some users desktop.

The problem IT staff have is they think they should have everything just to make their jobs easier without consideration of the financial costs and implications to their company.

We'd all like a Porsche Turbo, but some of us have to make to with a Merc or BMW, not quite the same Marque but still a damn respectable car.

In the real world for many companies, Citrix is on its way out, there is very little genuine reason to buy it, slightly less bandwidth and published apps is not a good enough excuse for a handfull of users, but if you had 100's and numerous remote sites then OK the overhead on IT resourses may just justify the costs.

Its all perspective

what happened to XP remote desktop, which enables u to go in and create the odd RPD icon? u dont even have to get off ur arse

 

[fs483]

One major issue with TS is that it doesn't allow USB and network capable printers to be easily mapped. I've found work arounds for some of my customers that use DOT4 (HP Printer) on TS but it's not very elegant. With Citrix, network printer works very well (after you do all the necessary tunning...)