Remote Desktop / Terminal Server

Remote desktop, perviously known as Terminal Server, is Microsoft's competeting product to Citrix, LogMeIn, and GoToMyPC. This product allows multiple users to run programs on a remote computer with a virtual desktop. The newest versions of Remote Desktops include RemoteApp that allows applications to run as if on the local computer.

Common Solutions

Most small to medium bussinesses find this useful for running applications over a distributed enterprise. Programs like QuickBooks, Peachtree, MAS 90 require clients to be on a same network as the server. Remote Desktop poses as an ideal solution for letting users use the programs over slower and unrialble connections.

Fringe Benefits

One major benefit to Remote Desktop and in particular RemoteApp is the ability to centralize an application. During annual upgrades the process of upgrading is limited to one computer. Compare this to upgrading an accounting package on 50 to 100 computers.

Scalability

With the advancment of cheap hardware, Remoted Desktop allows one computer to serve event more users. When the limmits of a Remote Desktop server is reached, Microsoft has included the ability to load balance over multiple machines. This can be done manually, or via the Remote Desktop Gateway: this is reffered to as 'load balancing'.