Centrally deploy and manage Windows-based applications, including Small Business Server 2000 client applications, on virtually any type of client computer and over virtually any type of network connection. Organizations can use Terminal Services in Application Server mode to deliver Windows-based applications
to heterogeneous desktop environments, over local-area network (LAN), wide-area network (WAN), and dial-up connections. This is a cost-effective way to deploy line-of-business applications that are frequently updated, hard to install, or need to be accessed over low-bandwidth connections.
Ensure that all clients are using current versions of an application. With Terminal Services, software is installed only once on a server rather than on each individual desktop in the company. This model reduces the costs and challenge of updating desktop computers, especially for remotely located desktops or in branch-office environments. In addition, you can use Terminal Services features such as Remote Control to simplify application support.
Support users in remote locations. Terminal Services also offers benefits to companies that have networks with remote users or remote offices. When a company deploys Terminal Services, users who connect to the Small Business Server 2000 network can access applications hosted on the Terminal Server regardless of the remote environment. This enables the company to easily deploy and manage the desktop environment of remote users. Users will never need to install applications on home, mobile, or remote systems.
Strengthen network data and security management by storing and managing business information centrally. When you require users to use Terminal Server sessions for remote connections, you can easily manage individual user sessions. When users work in a Terminal Server session, any data that the user is accessing or working with is kept on the Small Business Server 2000 network, eliminating the overhead of managing multiple data stores on remote systems. This can be particularly important when many users are accessing a line-of-business application from multiple locations.
Take advantage of phased hardware upgrades. By giving users access to current applications on hardware that might otherwise be of little use, Terminal Services can help companies that are gradually replacing older computers.
Perform remote administration–such as directory maintenance, virus scans, backups, and reboots–of Windows 2000-based servers. Using Terminal Services can give administrators greater flexibility and mobility. Administrators can securely manage their Windows 2000-based servers over any network connection from any device using the Terminal Server Client software. You can even promote a server to be a domain controller. The client device does not need to be running Windows 2000 Professional.
A Windows 2000 server running Terminal Services in Application Server mode (also called a Terminal Server) will run the client portion of Small Business Server 2000 applications–for example, Outlook 2000. Client computers then access this server by using the Terminal Server Client installed locally.
Small Business Server 2000
Small Business Server 2000 contains the server components for the client productivity applications you will run on both PC clients and Terminal Server clients. This server runs Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SQL Server, your domain controller, and all of the administrative tools for adding and changing users, printers, and computers on your network. This article assumes that you have already set up and are running Small Business Server 2000.
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Multiple Client PCs
In this scenario, the PC runs only the Terminal Server Client and has access to the Terminal Server to run Small Business Server 2000 client applications. The PC can be attached to the same local area network as the Terminal Server and Small Business Server 2000, or it could be in a remote office or at a user’s home.
Terminal Services also supports the use of dedicated Windows terminals. These devices do not run any programs locally except for the Terminal Services Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), which enables them to connect to the Terminal Server. They are very low cost and do not require a great deal of administration.
Finally, Terminal Server allows remote computers, such as a laptop computer to connect over the Internet or through a direct dialup connection using the standard Windows Remote Access Services (RAS) feature.
