The principle behind Terminal Services is that most network users do not require the functionality of full PCs, but can instead work with a keyboard, mouse and display linked to a central server which handles all program execution. This arrangement, similar to that employed by mainframe computers, has many consequential benefits which reduce the total cost of ownership of a network.
Key advantages of Terminal Services include simplified application deployment, a reduced risk of unauthorised or damaging software being installed, and the ability to use dedicated thin clients which require little or no management. For users who primarily run office productivity and Internet software, Atomwide continues to promote solutions based on Terminal Services as a realistic, effective and secure alternative to fully-featured PCs.
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"We have used terminal clients in our school-wide network in order to minimise installation and maintenance costs, and they have proved to be a robust and cost-effective way to manage heavily used computer suites."
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After first implementing Terminal Services in a variant of Windows NT Server v4, Microsoft now includes the facility in all server editions of Windows, so the only purchase required to use Terminal Services with recent Windows clients is an appropriate number of special client licences.
Terminal Server sessions can run in full screen mode or in a window alongside local applications; in both cases, users can naturally access other network-based file and print resources as usual.
With the addition of Citrix MetaFrame software, audio support can be added to Terminal Services, along with connectivity for other client platforms including Apple, Acorn and Linux systems.
