Re: What do I need to use Terminal Server?

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Bob wrote:
Thanks for the advice. I read the article and although it is well written it still seems complicated to someone with no MS Server experience. Maybe a hands-on experience will change that. One point that concerns me is the use of domain. Will this work if you are only using a workgroup? This is still a small operation so they are using a standard company name workgroup.

I'm starting to see some major modifications to the overall network setup ahead. While this is not bad from my perspective, I see major resistence from the powers that be, seeing this as excessive compared to what they are used to.

Any more thoughts appreciated.

In addition to the excellent advice you got from Lanwench, I'm going to suggest that you have a qualified local professional come on-site to set you up properly. This will not be someone from your local version of BigStoreUSA/GeekSquad. Before you have the computer professional come on-site, have all the information from your specific application's tech support handly. The computer professional may need to speak to them.

A lot of niche software (industry-specific software) uses some form of an Access database into which their program hooks. They may also use some form of SQL Server, either as part of their software or installed separately.

I understand that this isn't what you wanted to hear, but I feel I would be doing you a disservice if I said, "oh sure, you can do this with a Workgroup and you can learn as you go - no problem". This will probably not be the case. If you were my client, or a prospective client, here's what I would do:

1. Come on-site and do a survey of what machines/operating systems you've got, your network, etc. I would also take a look at the specialized software you're running and see what is required. I might also contact that program's tech support to talk to them so I had a true understanding of what was involved. While I can't answer for the professionals in your area, I normally don't charge anything for this preliminary work.

2. Then, based on what I found in #1, I would order the proper hardware and software for you - server, workstations, SQL Server if required, etc. - and then come in and set you up properly. This would include:

a. Making sure that all workstations are properly secured and running a good (and current) antivirus.
b. Making sure that all extant workstations (if going to be retained) are virus/malware-free and updated with Service Packs.
c. Making sure that there was a backup strategy and system included in the setup.
d. Installing and configuring the specialized software and making sure it worked, probably also being in contact with their tech support.

The above doesn't cover everything, naturally, but it should give you an idea of what needs to be done. The payment to the computer professional is a cost of doing business and trying to do this yourself in a catch-as-catch-can manner will bring Tears Before Bedtime. You need to make sure your network is secure, your people can do their jobs, and that you can recover from a computer disaster quickly and efficiently.

I hope you have not taken my words amiss and have instead taken them in the spirit they are meant - that I wish you the best success and that the computing end of your business goes well. One thing to mention to "the powers that be" is the cost of recovering all your data will be much higher if you don't do this professionally if 1) your network is not secured and it is compromised; or 2) you have a hard drive failure without having a disaster strategy and backups.


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
.

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