Terminal Server

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Terminal Server is a multi-user version of Windows NT. It can host multiple, simultaneous client sessions from a variety of Windows-based desktops. It can also support computers that are running other operating systems (OSs) by using third-party add-on products.

Terminal Server consists of one or more of the following servers:

  • Microsoft® Windows NT® Server version 4.0
  • Terminal Server Edition (Terminal Server)
  • Microsoft Windows® 2000 Server, or Windows XP Professional

You can perform a variety of tasks with the Terminal Server. The following list shows some of these tasks:

  • Upgrade existing "green screen" ASCII terminals to a Windows programming environment.
  • Upgrade computers that are functioning as terminal emulators to a Windows programming environment
  • Deliver Windows-based applications to a range of desktop computers, including those that are running UNIX, Macintosh, or the Microsoft MS-DOS® OS.
  • Deliver Windows-based applications to Windows-based computers that cannot be upgraded to a 32-bit Windows OS due to hardware limitations.
  • Extend a Windows OS to thin clients, giving users another option for Windows-based applications, and help lower the total cost of ownership.

Although Terminal Server supports third-party presentation protocols, this documentation makes no recommendations regarding design guidelines for Windows Thin Clients that are running third-party software. It is limited to Windows Thin Clients that are powered by Windows CE and that use the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).

See Also

Windows Thin Client Configuration

Last updated on Wednesday, April 13, 2005

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