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What is Microsoft Terminal Server? |
By:
Matt Peterson |
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Microsoft Terminal Server is a component of the Windows
operating system that allows users to remotely access servers
and applications over the internet or a local area network.
Terminal Server runs on Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000 Server
and Windows NT 4 Terminal Server. Client devices connecting to a
Terminal Server can be Windows workstations, Macintosh or Linux
machines, mobile devices and dumb terminals.
When Terminal Server is installed and enabled on a Windows
Server, users can connect to virtual desktops, or single
instances of an application. User's applications, or virtual
desktops, are executed on the server instead of the client. The
end user sees their terminal services session across the network
or internet connection, similar to VNC or Citrix.
Unlike these other remote control programs, a Windows Terminal
Server runs a in a multi user mode that allows multiple users to
log into the server at the same time. Depending on the hardware
and resources that the server can provide, a single Terminal
Server can support dozens or even hundreds of simultaneous
users.
Terminal Server sessions provide support for many client side
resources. For example, a Windows 2003 Terminal Server supports
accessing your local disk drives, printers, serial ports, sound
and the windows clipboard while connected to a Terminal Services
session.
The Windows XP Pro operating system also provides similar
functionality. It is called "Remote Desktop". The main
difference is that it only supports one user at a time. If you
connect to a Windows XP Pro machine via a Terminal Services
session, it will actually lock the console of the physical
machine. "Remote Desktop" can be enabled on an XP Pro machine by
accessing the "System" applet, selecting the "Remote" tab and
checking the option that says "Enable Remote Desktop on this
computer".
Building a stable Terminal Server solution can be a lot of work,
and this article merely scratches the surface of the technology,
but hopefully you now have a better idea of what it is and what
it can do.
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Article Source: http://www.powerdirectory.net/articles/article51541.html |
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