Terminal Server

[EzyStvy]

TS is a weak area for me

My company leases servers to host databases. Our client then use our accounting software to access these databases.

One client isn't happy with the performance with our software so we're looking into hooking them up with a Terminal Server setup. The machine in question is a brand new Dell 3360 Quad Core Xeon 2.83 gHZ/4 gigs of ram and a SAS drive.

Question #1: Is Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition good enough?

Question #2: There will be 20 to 40 users accessing the server. Anyone have a ball park idea what 20 to 40 CAL’s cost?

Question #3: From what I understand, the user’s machines will need a “thin client” printing type of software. Any recommendation would help.

Thanks in advance for any info.

[EzyStvy]

Found out that

#1 -> Yes
#2 -> $80.00 each...per year I think.

#3 -> The following we recommended:
print Desktop Engine – Printing across Remote Desktop Connections from Windows desktops
http://www.thinprint.com/?s=5235&lc=61

[glc]

I've never heard of an annual fee for a CAL. What about SBS Server? I think you are allowed up to 50 CAL's and as I remember, CAL's are cheaper than standard ones.

[EzyStvy]

I just now confirmed that the price on the CAL's is a one time fee.

But, I was just told by the data center sales guy that that I would have to have Active Directory enabled.....Can anyone confirm that?

[glc]

It makes sense - otherwise, how are the remote users going to be able to authenticate?

[EzyStvy]

CAL's for TS come in two flavors - per user and per device. Per device would work better for our situation and hopefully TS's license manager can deal with that

And hopefully we can resolve their performance issues without going to a TS setup. We sell accounting software and don't want to get into the IT business

[Lespaul20]

Originally Posted by glc It makes sense - otherwise, how are the remote users going to be able to authenticate?

Why couldn't you just create local accounts?

It's pretty easy to set up AD if only for user authentication.

[Khalil]

$80 is really steep for Server 2003 Cals. Where are you buying them from? They should be under $30

[EzyStvy]

Originally Posted by Lespaul20 Why couldn't you just create local accounts? It's pretty easy to set up AD if only for user authentication.

Good question....We'd have to get creative with the user names. Due to the nature of the business my client is in, they have a high turnover. Guess we could use names like Office1..to Office18.

Originally Posted by Khalil $80 is really steep for Server 2003 Cals. Where are you buying them from? They should be under $30

From my best friend who works for a MS Reseller
The data center that hosts the machies quoted $5.00 per month.

[mojo]

Originally Posted by Khalil $80 is really steep for Server 2003 Cals. Where are you buying them from? They should be under $30

$80 sounds about right for terminal services CALs. The CAL to have multiple users using terminal services (more than the 2 or 3 that are built in) is different than the CAL just to be a domain client, which I think is what you mean by the $30 CAL.