The Issue With Terminal Server

One of the more general complaints about NT Server and then Windows 2000 was that you couldn't manage the system unless you were either in front of the computer or had a third-party remote control software package.

Well, I recently was re-introduced to Terminal Server. Phillip Stafford of EASE Consulting, New York City, brought it to my attention.

It had been so long that I quite frankly forgot about this new addition to the Windows arsenal. Phillip did a demo, and it was mighty impressive on his Windows 2003 Server.

So, I did some research and found out why I rejected the notion about using Windows Terminal Server when I first started using Windows 2000 Server. My clients weren't about to spend more money for software. According to Microsoft, (http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/howtobuy/pricing/default.asp)a Windows 2000 Server (With 10 Client Access Licenses) is $1,199; with 5 Client Access Licenses, it's $999.

How could I tell my clients that we needed to spend more money when they already owned a third-party package? Now, in all honesty, Terminal Server does work faster " I had my client mis-configured to work at Modem Speed, and I wasn't going crazy waiting. Terminal Server gives you uninterrupted control of sound, drives, ports and printers, all with a click of a switch.OK, so how did Microsoft go wrong? In two major areas. The first is in pricing, at least for W2K Server. As far as I'm able to figure out, Windows 2003 Server Terminal Server is part of the product.

The second area, which really blows my mind is that Terminal Client runs on almost anything (Windows 95, Windows 98 and 98 Second Edition, Windows Me, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 or Windows XP and Mac), but only Windows 2000 Server (and above), Windows 2003 Server and Windows XP have the Server portion. What about the zillions of people who run Windows 2000 Professional?

What happened to the W2K Professional Server? Where is it? XP has it, why doesn't W2K Professional. Hey, Microsoft: I Want my W2K Professional Terminal Server!