Alternative for Terminal Server

1: The hardware has finally caught up
When Terminal Services debuted with Windows NT, server hardware was hard pressed to support multiple server sessions. Furthermore, 10 Mbps networks were still the standard at that time and could easily become saturated by network-intensive applications, such as Terminal Services. Today, server hardware is far more powerful than it has ever been, and running multiple operating system instances on a server is the norm. Today's servers are well equipped to handle the demands of hosting Terminal Service sessions.

2: Windows Server 2008 R2 offers a full VDI solution
Windows Server 2008 R2 allows administrators to deploy a full virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution. This means that the terminal server can be configured to host virtual desktop operating systems. When users log off, any changes they made are rolled back, and the virtual hard drive is left in a pristine condition, ready for the next user.

3: You can create dedicated virtual desktops
Normally, a virtual desktop pool is designed so that every virtual desktop within it is identical. Because users are not allowed to make changes to the virtual desktop, each VDI session begins with a pristine virtual machine. Although this technique works well, the business needs of some organizations require users to be able to make certain changes to their desktops. In these types of situations, Windows Server 2008 R2 allows you to dedicate a specific virtual desktop to an individual user. That way, the user has his or her own virtual desktop to configure as needed.

4: You can host individual applications rather than entire sessions
One of my favorite new features in Windows Server 2008 is RemoteApp. RemoteApp allows you to virtualize individual applications, as opposed to virtualizing an entire desktop. Not only is this approach less resource intensive for the server, it allows administrators to centralize application management without having to commit to a full-blown thin client environment.

5: Desktop hardware has a longer lifespan
The economy has seen better days, and everyone is looking to make the most of their IT budget. By using Terminal Services, organizations can squeeze more life out of their desktop computers. Because all the processing occurs at the server end, the desktops are essentially acting as dumb terminals. This means that using existing desktop hardware remains a viable option for much longer than it would if applications were run locally. Likewise, running applications on a terminal server may allow organizations to purchase lower-end desktop hardware than they otherwise would, resulting in cost savings.

6: Users can access their "work computer" from anywhere
Supporting users who need to work from outside the office is nothing new. But if you've ever supported remote users, you know that keeping mobile computers up to date can be challenging. And if they use one computer at work and a different computer away from the office, they may be less productive when working remotely unless the two computers are configured identically. Implementing a Terminal Services environment allows remote users to have a consistent experience regardless of whether they are working in the office or on the road.

7: Application maintenance becomes easier
In a Terminal Services environment, applications are installed on a terminal server rather than on individual desktops. As a result, application patching becomes much easier because there is only one copy of each application. You no longer have to make sure that application-level patches are applied to every desktop in the organization. It is worth noting, though, that each desktop retains its own operating system, which must still be kept up to date.

8: Desktop PCs have a smaller attack surface
Because Terminal Services involves applications or desktop sessions that are centrally hosted, there's no need to install applications on individual desktops. This helps to reduce the attack surface of the desktops in your organization. Typically, the desktop computers will require an operating system, some antivirus software, and a Terminal Services client (which is included with Windows). Everything else can be run on the server.

9: Desktop provisioning becomes easier
Once an organization has adopted Terminal Services, desktops can be configured to run a minimal configuration. This makes the process of provisioning desktops a lot easier. Image files become smaller and can therefore be deployed much more quickly, and the issue of application compatibility testing (at the desktop level) goes away.

10: You may be able to give up your desktop management software
I have seen at least one real-world example of an organization that decided to give up its desktop management software after implementing Terminal Services. It had purchased the desktop management software primarily to maintain hardware and software inventories across the organization. Because the vendor required an annual maintenance contract, ongoing costs were associated with using the software. Switching to a Terminal Services environment eliminated the need for software management at the desktop, thereby allowing the organization to reduce expenses by getting rid of its desktop management software

XP Unlimited has all the benefits of a Terminal Server but not the restrictions:
One license per server. One fixed price per server.

eXtra Productivity on WXP Pro or Vista Business/Ultimate
With our software your average Windows PC will give you eXtra Productivity by enabling you to use your system by multiple concurrent users.
The actual number of remote desktops is only limited by practical issues like the processing power of your system and the amount of internal memory. The performance that one can expect from a system with our XP Unlimited software is comparable with Microsoft Terminal Server 2003.

eXtra Productivity on Windows Server
XPUnlimited on Windows Server gives you functionality similair or better then Citrix, but not for the Citrix price tag. Seamless desktops, Application Control, Web Server for Remote Desktops, SSL Gateway and Load Balancing, all in one package.

Unlimited Performance
Several XP Unlimited servers can work together in a Farm with the objective to share the load of the users. Once again, there is no limit in our solution; you can have as many servers work together as you need. The only limits are within your own infrastructure.
You can mix WXP Pro, Vista and Windows Server, all running XPUnlimited Enterprise, in one big XPUnlimited Farm.

Total Cost of Ownership
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of owning and using several PC's and servers is determined by three factors:
- The cost of hardware.
- The cost of software / licenses.
- The cost of keeping the PC's and servers running.
When you want to run "uptodate" software on all your PC's and servers, you end op buying new hardware and new software licenses every 2 a 3 year. Your old hardware is still working, but it can not be used for the most recent version of your business software. Next to this, you need a skilled professional for several hours a week or day that will assist you in fixing the continuous stream of problems with the PC's and servers.
When using XP Unlimited, you can cut down on the all the three types of costs. Suppose you have 50 employees:
- You can still use your old, "outofdate" hardware. You don't have to buy 50 new PC's, but only 1 or 2 which will be equipped with the XP Unlimited software.
- You don't have to buy 50 new sets of licenses for Windows, Office, mail, virus scanner, etc. Depending on the license schemes of the software you are using, you might have to buy only 2 licenses for those 2 new PC's.
- Your old "outofdate" hardware is not running any application anymore. The only thing these old PC's are doing is a remote desktop session. Therefor, the chances are much smaller that one of those PC's get corrupted, infected, instable, etc. Of course, your 2 PC's with XP Unlimited are now used by all the users, but if you have to worry only about securing and configuring 2 PC's, the job of PC-maintenance will be easier and cheaper.

Very easy installation
Run the Setup-program, one reboot of your system, and you are ready to go.

Integrated webserver for an Online Desktop Portal
The integrated webserver gives the company an easy solution for an online desktop portal. Using a browser, employees can surf to the XPUnlimited server and get a company desktop. The look-and-feel of the online desktop portal and its functionality can be customized.

Run the Application you want to run
All the users and all your applications that are already available on your Windows XP Professional system, or all the users that are defined in your Domain, can now use the system using Remote Desktops.
Most likely your old DOS-application will run fine on a XPUnlimited server in combination with WXP Pro.
Every application that can be installed on Windows XP Professional, can still be installed after the installation of the XP Unlimited solution. For example, your average Microsoft Office product will run fine on a System with the XP Unlimited solution (which is not the case with Microsoft Terminal Services.......)
In case costs are an issue (when are they not an issue....) consider the use of Open Office. It works fine on a XP Unlimited server.
Please note: Some software companies do not allow you to use their software by multiple users. Other software companies want you to buy separate licenses for each user. You should read all your software licenses carefully and act accordingly. Our product should not be used to violate license terms.
Please note: Some applications are not suited to be run using a remote desktop. For instance games. Those applications need a (very) fast videocard and (very) fast videoprocessing. Although the technology behind remote desktops is fast enough for your average office or home application, it is not suitable for lots of games or (very) fast video-oriented software.

Application Control and Publishing
You can deliver one or more Applications to your users or groups WITHOUT a desktop (Citrix-like functionality). The users are restricted to those Applications you want them to use. Please download the manual and read the full potential of our Application Control.