Remote Desktop Services
Summary
Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is a project to provide Windows terminal services on central servers. Possible uses include:
- faculty and students can see and use a close approximation of a lab
Windows machine from their own machine (Windows, Linux, or Macintosh);
- instructors could use it to see what a lab desktop is like or what software is installed;
- students could use it to access specific applications the do not have on their own machines;
- application software that is difficult to install on lab Windows workstations might in some instances be easier to support on a RDS server;
- short-term applications for special instruction might be easier to install on a RDS server than in Wagner or other teaching facilities.
Limited service might be available by June, 2003.
Discussion
This kind of capability is not new; third-party vendors have offered software that provides a Windows session on a central server for some time (e.g., Citrix). Several recent developments make such a service more feasible for CLC:
- improved networking -- connectivity from homes, offices, and dorm rooms to our central server areas has improved over the years;
- improved client software -- the compression and bitmap caching offered by the remote desktop clients from Microsoft make it much more usable than in the past;
- client comes with Windows XP -- XP users don't have to download or install anything;
- improved server software -- Microsoft has improved terminal server software in Windows 2003 server;
- PSU Access Accounts -- having all accounts replicated in the win domain and roaming profiles was a prerequisite for this project.
It is not clear who will find the service useful and how often it might be used. If access is to be restricted to various groups (e.g., only faculty/staff; only University Park students), then a mechanism for building and maintaining security groups will have to be developed. Other unknowns include load balancing across multiple servers, load limiting, application compatibility and licensing, printing, and usage tracking.
Things Done
- projected budget for hardware and software licenses
- preliminary testing with Windows .Net Server (now Windows 2003 Server) beta releases
- built servers and provided access for staff testing via mydesktop.win.psu.edu (currently not available, 4/1/03)
- installed many/most of the lab applications (many need to be used once by a user from an XP workstation before it will run for them on the terminal server server)
- order two servers for prototype (previous servers needed for another purpose), 3/21/03.
Things To Do
- April 15, 2003 -- install RTM version of OS on test servers
- May 15, 3003 -- check all applications
- Staff review and testing
- Limited end user access
This site maintained by the Classroom and Lab Computing group of Information Technology Services.
Suggestions and comments about this web site: CLC Webmasters; Other contacts here.
This page was last modified: 5/20/2003 2:17:30 PM.