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