I am moving away from having a couple of high-end tower computers, and toward playing with servers. I am thinking about mounting a Windows server over in a corner, behind a firewall box, and connected to the DSL through the router and DSL modem. I will put as many required security layers as required in place, but I want to be able to login to that home server from wherever I am (probably with VPN) and run a thin-client session back to the server. I would install dozens of apps on the server, plus separate data drives, and run the apps via Citrix or using the thin-client built into the Windows OS. Finally, I want to be able to be talking to a family member or friend, and just say, "Oh, sure, that's up on the document directory", or "Yeah, just log onto the app server like I told you last time, use your password, and run that program off my server." I would separate the shared apps and documents from my personal ones. I want to be able to run multiple thin-client sessions, maybe have up to a dozen licenses or sessions available, from over the Internet.
I could do Windows XP Pro, or wait for Dot NET for the server side, could do Win2K Pro or server, but would probably prefer to use no older a Windows Server environment, so no Win NT4 or SBS 4.5 for this.
If I definitely want more than just one thin-client session, can I take XP Pro and add on some Citrix to get there, or do I have to look at beg/borrow/acquire Terminal Services and Internet Connector licensing for Win2K or newer? Who knows the sweet spot, and has a definite opinion here, to advise? I can hook up with someone who works at Microsoft, right here across town (I'm close to Redmond), so I could probably get whatever I need, cost not being the issue. It's how complex do I want to dig myself in, what's the *working*smart* solution here? Thanks!
The Highly Technical Forum is not for purchase advice.
AnandTech Moderator
I could do Windows XP Pro, or wait for Dot NET for the server side, could do Win2K Pro or server, but would probably prefer to use no older a Windows Server environment, so no Win NT4 or SBS 4.5 for this.
If I definitely want more than just one thin-client session, can I take XP Pro and add on some Citrix to get there, or do I have to look at beg/borrow/acquire Terminal Services and Internet Connector licensing for Win2K or newer? Who knows the sweet spot, and has a definite opinion here, to advise? I can hook up with someone who works at Microsoft, right here across town (I'm close to Redmond), so I could probably get whatever I need, cost not being the issue. It's how complex do I want to dig myself in, what's the *working*smart* solution here? Thanks!
The Highly Technical Forum is not for purchase advice.
AnandTech Moderator
Facebook
Twitter