Tom wrote :
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tom Childers [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
>We're now preparing to get Win2k Server
> w/ Terminal Services and FMPro Server so multiple remote users
> can log in simultaneously. I
> plan to post the details of this solution to the list once we get
> it up and running.
>
> HTH,
>
> Tom
> www.joyofsports.org
What follows is a bit about TechRocks experiance with TS. I will be looking
forward to hearing your experiances.
Clif
FYI - TechBit - Win2000 Terminal Server a potential solution
Common Problem:
Many non-Profits have multiple office sites which need access to central
data stored in ebase or other databases and/or wish to offer work at home
ability to workers.
Win2000 Terminal Server a potential solution:
Ebase and other FileMaker based databases have always allowed accessing a
remote host over the internet, but that connection was generally too slow
and insecure to be considered a real remote access solution. With the
introduction of Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, remote access capability
using Windows Terminal Server is included as part of the Windows server
software. This provides one possible method of offering cost effective
remote access, at least for Windows users, using Internet connections.
Cyrix, an extra cost related software, expands that access to remote clients
running MAC, UNIX and other systems.
Background:
TechRocks has been experimenting with methods of providing central database
access from our various offices and for workers "on the road" using dial up
access.
This TechBit describes setup and initial test results from a test of
Terminal server / FileMaker Server configuration which was built using
existing hardware. Both the Terminal Server and the FM Server were
installed on non-server grade computers located in the TechRocks Montana
office. Remote users were located in California, Maine and Pennsylvania.
While the test "servers" met the minimum CPU and Memory requirements for
Terminal Server and FileMaker Server, the test hardware was not ideal for
the use. Fast-wide SCSI drives and other obvious hardware and software
changes could be expected to substantially improve performance and
reliability.
What this test does show is that even running on low cost non-server grade
hardware, Terminal Server could be used to provide fast secure remote access
to a number of shared office programs both FileMaker hosted and otherwise.
Windows 2000 Server was installed and Terminal Services configured on a
desktop grade PC with one IDE hard drive partitioned to give a Primary drive
of 1.9 GB and a Secondary Drive of 7.4 GB.
FileMaker 5.03 was installed to "Programs\FileMaker" directory on the
Secondary Drive from a multi-user network "site license" FM install disk.
Note: Standard consumer install disks do ID checking and would need a
separate install in separate directories for each user.
FileMaker Plug-ins were installed on the Secondary Drive in the
"\Programs\FileMaker\FileMaker Pro 5\System" Directory.
Each Individual user has individual logon name and ID. User "personality"
and directories are saved on the Secondary drive under the "Documents and
Settings" directory. Local single user FileMaker database files are placed
in each users "My Documents" directory.
Each individual user account needs to have email configured at least for
outgoing SMTP through a supported email program for ebase email features to
work.
Remote users Using Win 2000 were configured for remote access by running a
simple two floppy disk install process and filling in the IP address of the
Terminal Server.
Printing to the remote users local printers required no additional setup.
Install Notes:
. Remote users should exit a TS session using the TS session "Start" menu
"Shut Down" dialog and be configured in TS to exit the session after logging
off rather than leave the session running when off line.
. Win2000 assigns access permissions to individual files. After placing a
third party FileMaker plug-in the FileMaker System directory, the access
permissions for that file will default to the installer only. Check and
reset permission to allow other users to "see" third party plug-in.
Performance:
. Login and connection from Win2000 to Terminal Server over a standard home
DSL line was "Just like being there" regarding the speed of loading and
running programs resident on the Terminal server.
. Performance from a remote client through an 56k dial-up internet account
is almost exactly the same as DSL. This is a real plus for regular or
occasional dial-up users.
. Access and use of FileMaker Server based files from TS sessions was
equivalent in performance to accessing the same files from a single user
machine on the local LAN.
. Multiple remote TS clients performing the same FileMaker task on the same
FM Server hosted database at the same time saw no substantial performance
difference vs. a single user.
. Users using Windows emulations on MACs to access terminal server have
had timeouts, possably due to limitations of the emulation.
--------------------------------------------
Clif Graves, Programmer
TechRocks
74 Narrows Pond Road
Winthrop ME 04364
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
eFax: 425.790.2058 Web: http://www.techrocks.org
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