Paul Lemon
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Virtualized PCs
Hi, we have an application that is downloaded from the server onto the client PC to run. Due to the nature of the application, I would prefer if the PC was used as a dumb terminal to access the application from a server. Would something like virtulised PCs/VMs, Citrix metaframe be the answer. Many Thanks.
ASKER
Hi thanks for your reply. There are about 40 users accessing the app
You could set up VMs using something free like VirtualBox.
Perhaps a second server running Windows remote desktop services would be in order? Just make sure the application supports it.
Otherwise how much computing power is required on the client side? For something web-based or very low resource demands, maybe you could actually use Windows based "dumb terminals"?
I guess it depends on why you would rather not run the program right on the client.
Perhaps a second server running Windows remote desktop services would be in order? Just make sure the application supports it.
Otherwise how much computing power is required on the client side? For something web-based or very low resource demands, maybe you could actually use Windows based "dumb terminals"?
I guess it depends on why you would rather not run the program right on the client.
ASKER
Hi thanks for your reply. The application is a access front end with a backend Database on a server. We have to lockdown the PCs so that data cannot be downloaded. It is also preferable that no trace of the access front end is left on the PC. That's my reason for looking at using the PCs as thin clients and have the virtual desktops on a secure PC.
ASKER
Meant secure Server not secure PC
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40 users simultaneously? You could certainly do that with RDS if you have enough RAM and CPU in the server.
ASKER
Many thanks for your replies. Are there any articles on setting up remote desktops on the server and on the session broker on the server or VMs onthe server. Many thanks
Just one piece of advice, make sure that your application is supported running on remote desktop. Don't want to go through all of this and discover it doesn't work.
How many PCs need to access the application at once? That's a critical question.
What OS are you using on the server? If it is Windows Server, you can look at setting up Remote Desktop (will need client licenses) on it. That will let you keep the application on the server and access it from multiple PCs simultaneously.
You could also set up as many virtual PCs on the server as you need simultaneous accesses, but that could get complicated.
I'm not familiar with Citirx metaframe. Someone else will likely give you an informed opinion on it here.