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