Is Terminal Server the solution to my problem? (Newbie)

  • Thread starter Thread starter jgaines911
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jgaines911

I have 20 users that would like to remote desktop into 20 Windows 2003 EE
servers. The problem is that many of these users want the ability to connect
to many of these servers at the same time (over the 2 user terminal
connection limit).

Will installing terminal server services (and the license server) on one
physical server enable these 20 servers to allow more than 2 terminal
connections (assuming enough licenses were installed)?

These users are a group of software developers that require direct access to
each box.

Thank you,

John Gaines
 
jgaines911 wrote:
> I have 20 users that would like to remote desktop into 20 Windows 2003 EE
> servers. The problem is that many of these users want the ability to connect
> to many of these servers at the same time (over the 2 user terminal
> connection limit).
>
> Will installing terminal server services (and the license server) on one
> physical server enable these 20 servers to allow more than 2 terminal
> connections (assuming enough licenses were installed)?
>
> These users are a group of software developers that require direct access to
> each box.


One license server with 20 User licenses is all you need to
allow access to the 20 TS servers. This will allow you to
have 20 users on each server at one time.

Installing Terminal Services software on all of these
servers is a whole other ball of wax and most likely a bad
idea, unless you are ready and willing to put in some work.

I am guessing that these 20 W2K3 servers already have software
installed on them and are in production?

If you want to install TS on each of these servers, ALL current
applications will have to be reloaded on EACH server after
you install TS.

I would definitely assess whether or not the developers need
to be on all 20 servers at the same time. The 2 user limit
refers to concurrent users.

moncho
 
Thanks for the quick reply moncho.

So, in order to have more than 2 concurrent user connections on a server, it
will need terminal services installed? I just want to be sure I understand.

Yes, these servers already have application software installed on them (but
are in a test/dev environment). I did start the installation of terminal
services on one of the servers and was warned that all existing software
would have to be uninstalled/reinstalled in order to be used (big headache).

I was hoping that I would be able to have one terminal services server and
present the desktop of these 20 servers to it, and have the users connect and
work on them through it (the terminal service server). I think this is what
can be done using Citrix (very limited knowledge of this though).

Thanks again,

John


"moncho" wrote:

> jgaines911 wrote:
> > I have 20 users that would like to remote desktop into 20 Windows 2003 EE
> > servers. The problem is that many of these users want the ability to connect
> > to many of these servers at the same time (over the 2 user terminal
> > connection limit).
> >
> > Will installing terminal server services (and the license server) on one
> > physical server enable these 20 servers to allow more than 2 terminal
> > connections (assuming enough licenses were installed)?
> >
> > These users are a group of software developers that require direct access to
> > each box.

>
> One license server with 20 User licenses is all you need to
> allow access to the 20 TS servers. This will allow you to
> have 20 users on each server at one time.
>
> Installing Terminal Services software on all of these
> servers is a whole other ball of wax and most likely a bad
> idea, unless you are ready and willing to put in some work.
>
> I am guessing that these 20 W2K3 servers already have software
> installed on them and are in production?
>
> If you want to install TS on each of these servers, ALL current
> applications will have to be reloaded on EACH server after
> you install TS.
>
> I would definitely assess whether or not the developers need
> to be on all 20 servers at the same time. The 2 user limit
> refers to concurrent users.
>
> moncho
>
 
jgaines911 wrote:
> Thanks for the quick reply moncho.
>
> So, in order to have more than 2 concurrent user connections on a server, it
> will need terminal services installed? I just want to be sure I understand.


Yes, this is correct.

>
> Yes, these servers already have application software installed on them (but
> are in a test/dev environment). I did start the installation of terminal
> services on one of the servers and was warned that all existing software
> would have to be uninstalled/reinstalled in order to be used (big headache).


Definitely a big headache but must be done.

>
> I was hoping that I would be able to have one terminal services server and
> present the desktop of these 20 servers to it, and have the users connect and
> work on them through it (the terminal service server). I think this is what
> can be done using Citrix (very limited knowledge of this though).


It all depends upon your current setup and how you want to attack the
problem.

Based on what you stated, there is the following

1. Create one TS, 20 users can log in, then use RDP on the TS server
to connect to the other 20 machines. In this scenario, 20 users
can connect to the ONE TS, but only two users can connect to each
of the other 20 machines.

2. Setup Remote Access and only have two users connect at one time
to all servers.

There are probably other ways to accomplish what you want but
that comes down to money, security and company policies.

How are they currently connecting to these servers or are you still
in the planning stages?

>
> Thanks again,


Welcome

moncho

>
> John
>
>
> "moncho" wrote:
>
>> jgaines911 wrote:
>>> I have 20 users that would like to remote desktop into 20 Windows 2003 EE
>>> servers. The problem is that many of these users want the ability to connect
>>> to many of these servers at the same time (over the 2 user terminal
>>> connection limit).
>>>
>>> Will installing terminal server services (and the license server) on one
>>> physical server enable these 20 servers to allow more than 2 terminal
>>> connections (assuming enough licenses were installed)?
>>>
>>> These users are a group of software developers that require direct access to
>>> each box.

>> One license server with 20 User licenses is all you need to
>> allow access to the 20 TS servers. This will allow you to
>> have 20 users on each server at one time.
>>
>> Installing Terminal Services software on all of these
>> servers is a whole other ball of wax and most likely a bad
>> idea, unless you are ready and willing to put in some work.
>>
>> I am guessing that these 20 W2K3 servers already have software
>> installed on them and are in production?
>>
>> If you want to install TS on each of these servers, ALL current
>> applications will have to be reloaded on EACH server after
>> you install TS.
>>
>> I would definitely assess whether or not the developers need
>> to be on all 20 servers at the same time. The 2 user limit
>> refers to concurrent users.
>>
>> moncho
>>
 
Ah, I feel much better now that I understand this concept. Not so good now
that I know how long this is going to take to implement.

These developers are currently connecting to each server using remote
desktop, and when a 3rd user tries to connect to the same server they get
denied.

I think I have what I need now. Thank you moncho!

john

"moncho" wrote:

> jgaines911 wrote:
> > Thanks for the quick reply moncho.
> >
> > So, in order to have more than 2 concurrent user connections on a server, it
> > will need terminal services installed? I just want to be sure I understand.

>
> Yes, this is correct.
>
> >
> > Yes, these servers already have application software installed on them (but
> > are in a test/dev environment). I did start the installation of terminal
> > services on one of the servers and was warned that all existing software
> > would have to be uninstalled/reinstalled in order to be used (big headache).

>
> Definitely a big headache but must be done.
>
> >
> > I was hoping that I would be able to have one terminal services server and
> > present the desktop of these 20 servers to it, and have the users connect and
> > work on them through it (the terminal service server). I think this is what
> > can be done using Citrix (very limited knowledge of this though).

>
> It all depends upon your current setup and how you want to attack the
> problem.
>
> Based on what you stated, there is the following
>
> 1. Create one TS, 20 users can log in, then use RDP on the TS server
> to connect to the other 20 machines. In this scenario, 20 users
> can connect to the ONE TS, but only two users can connect to each
> of the other 20 machines.
>
> 2. Setup Remote Access and only have two users connect at one time
> to all servers.
>
> There are probably other ways to accomplish what you want but
> that comes down to money, security and company policies.
>
> How are they currently connecting to these servers or are you still
> in the planning stages?
>
> >
> > Thanks again,

>
> Welcome
>
> moncho
>
> >
> > John
> >
> >
> > "moncho" wrote:
> >
> >> jgaines911 wrote:
> >>> I have 20 users that would like to remote desktop into 20 Windows 2003 EE
> >>> servers. The problem is that many of these users want the ability to connect
> >>> to many of these servers at the same time (over the 2 user terminal
> >>> connection limit).
> >>>
> >>> Will installing terminal server services (and the license server) on one
> >>> physical server enable these 20 servers to allow more than 2 terminal
> >>> connections (assuming enough licenses were installed)?
> >>>
> >>> These users are a group of software developers that require direct access to
> >>> each box.
> >> One license server with 20 User licenses is all you need to
> >> allow access to the 20 TS servers. This will allow you to
> >> have 20 users on each server at one time.
> >>
> >> Installing Terminal Services software on all of these
> >> servers is a whole other ball of wax and most likely a bad
> >> idea, unless you are ready and willing to put in some work.
> >>
> >> I am guessing that these 20 W2K3 servers already have software
> >> installed on them and are in production?
> >>
> >> If you want to install TS on each of these servers, ALL current
> >> applications will have to be reloaded on EACH server after
> >> you install TS.
> >>
> >> I would definitely assess whether or not the developers need
> >> to be on all 20 servers at the same time. The 2 user limit
> >> refers to concurrent users.
> >>
> >> moncho
> >>

>
 
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