Terminal Services Basics - Page 2

Even if you decide to use your server as a full-blown terminal server, users will still be able to use the server in the normal way, if you permit them to. However, doing so defeats the entire purpose of having a terminal server. The idea behind running a terminal server is that one (or more) very powerful server runs all the applications. Therefore, users can log in and use any application regardless of how old their PCs are. Another advantage of using a terminal server is that because everything is running on the server, there's little danger of users damaging their PC configurations or running unauthorized applications. This benefit can greatly reduce calls to your help desk.

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Of course, you probably aren't looking to totally change your network infrastructure. Most likely you just want a good way to manage your servers. This is where administrative mode comes in. Administrative mode allows you to keep everything the same from a client standpoint: It simply adds the capability for a limited number of terminal sessions to also attach to the server.

By enabling this limited capability, you can attach to a server from your desktop PC, notebook, or even a Windows CE device, and interact directly with the server console no matter where you are. For example, in my house, I have 13 servers running in my basement. If I want to look at something on a server while I'm upstairs, I don't have to go to the basement. Instead, I simply use a palm-top computer and a wireless network link to access a terminal session on whichever server I want to look at. The same technique can easily be applied on a larger scale in just about any office environment. I'll show you how in the articles that follow. //

Brien M. Posey is an MCSE who works as a freelance writer. His past experience includes working as the director of information systems for a national chain of health care facilities and as a network engineer for the Department of Defense. Because of the extremely high volume of e-mail that Brien receives, it's impossible for him to respond to every message, although he does read them all.