Terminal Services, multiple sessions, single user ID 1

[rileypetty]

Hello,
We installed a Win 2003 Standard Server with 40 TS Cals and 40 HP thin clients. The system is used for visitors to access the Internet to check their mail and do a little surfing too. We only set up one user ID. Our thinking was to issue a single user ID rather than many different ones to make it easier on us. Unfortunately, it's not working that way and it looks like we're going to have to set up 40 user ID's. I can't seem to find any documentation that allows or disallows a single user ID with multiple sessions to the same sever. Can someone tell if this is possible? Did we miss something in the TS configuration? Thanks, Riley

 

[Roadki11]

On the TS get into the Terminal Services Configuration Snapin. Under Server Setting change "Restrict each user to one session" from Yes to No. That should take care of it.

RoadKi11

 

[rileypetty]

Thanks for the quick response and I appreciate the help. I had looked off and on this afternoon but could not seem to think of the right question to ask. Also, I did not have access to the machine at the time to look at the configuration. Thanks again for the help.

 

[Roadki11]

You are welcome.

 

[rileypetty]

Your answer to my first question has solved my initial problem but now I seem to have another. Many different people can now logon using a single user ID and it works, as it should. However, if user1 logs in to check their Yahoo mail and user2 also logs in on another client, also to Yahoo mail, then user2 sees user1's email inbox. User2, somehow thinking he logged into the wrong account promptly logged out of Yahoo mail. This caused user1 to get logged out. Surfing is no problem because everyone is bouncing around to different sites anyway so the browser just moves on to the next request. But, where cookies or secure login is required, there is a problem. Do you know how I can correct this short of setting up 40 unique user ID's?

 

[monsterjta]

You'll have to disable cookies for that user account, which may have ill effects to individuals' Internet browsing experience. If you're only using one account for 40 users, ALL user settings will be the same. This is certainly not an optimal approach to user experience OR security. In fact, you are putting your user's at risk whenever they view private/privilaged information online.

I would suggest nothing less than creating 40 user accounts. It's not that big of task. In fact, there are many scripted solutions you can plug in to create the account for you.

I hope you find this post helpful,

Jonathan Almquist
Minneapolis, MN

 

[rileypetty]

Your right and that's what were going to do. Thanks very much for the help. Riley