I am going to buy a server with mainly because I want to use Raid 1. The server comes with Windows Server 2003 installed but I was wondering how easy it is to set up a remote desktop type application. Basically so I can logon from my home PC to the server located in the factory and use it as though I were there? Will this take hours of installation and configuration or is it quite straight forward to set up? Also, will I need a static IP address for the server so I can connect to each each time?

Thanks in advance
James

Hey James,

I'm sorry, this is not my area of expertise, I've sent out a PM to all of the Server Gurus on staff. They should be around sometime in the next day. Keep an eye out for their posts.

TTFN

LGW

Hi James,

Windows 2003 has Remote Desktop support - comes installed with every version of windows since NT 4 (at least).

It's really easy to use and it's as if you're on the computer from wherever you are.

If you need help setting it up, once you get the server please let me know and I'll walk you through it...it's extremely simple

Thank you, I will let you know if I need help setting it up once the server arrives.

I have a BT line running an 8mbit connection which feeds into a 'gateway' which the server will be connected to via an ethernet cable. I have the option of aquiring a static IP address that BT will set up for me. Will I need to do this? I guess I will so that I have an address to type in from any computer in the world?

Thanks again, I really appreciate the help and support.
James

yep you will need a static ip address from bt to do this also you will need to foward port but GaRHaR will tell you all that once you get the server and are setting it up

Thank you for the reply Adrian.

I do have another question that is about software on the server.

I understand that if you install MS Office on a stand alone home computer you only need the one copy therefore the one license and that it can be used by all local users that logon to that PC.

Can I therefore: install programs such as Office, Photoshop etc on the server. Be able to remote desktop to the server from home and use the Office and photoshop products etc all still only with the one license. Therfore can I have multiple users on the server and they can all remote to the server from their own PCs at home and use these products still with only one license or do I need to purchase a license for ever user connecting to the server even though the products will only be installed once and that will be actually on the server.

Just to clarify: basically I have a server located in my factory about 30 miles from my home. I want to be able to remote desktop to the server and check emails etc and basically work as if I was sat in the factory. I also have 2 other PCs in my home which my family use (sons). Could I get away with having their user profiles on the server and getting them to remote to it to use office etc therefore only needing to install the product once (on the server) and not on each PC (as I would have to buy separate licenses for each PC).

Hope that makes sense but as you have probably gathered, I do not have much experience setting up this type of thing.

Thanks again for all your help
James

Hey James,

Nice idea, but you will still be using 2 or more licenses. If you have it installed on one machine, this counts as one license in use. If you are using it remotely from another PC, this counts as two. If two of you are dialled into the server, using Office at the same time, this also counts as a third. Also, if your looking at having multiple remote connections to this server, what you would also need to buy is terminal services licenses as well.