The Old Joel on Software Forum: Part 3 (of 5) - controlling a Win2k3 pc from a Win2k machine?

controlling a Win2k3 pc from a Win2k machine?

My work pc is running win2k3 Server, while my home machine uses win2k professional. I have VPN to the office and I'd like to be able to "drive" my work machine from home. I know about VNC, but I understand that windows has better functionality built in. Should I be using RDP or Terminal Services? Which one, why, and anything hard I need to know before I try.

Thanks,

Ted Graham
Monday, January 19, 2004

Terminal Services, if you run it in administrative mode then you'll get one for one access to the machine/desktop.

Simon Lucy
Monday, January 19, 2004

"Easy-to-use Remote Desktop Connection
Remote Desktop Connection (the new "Terminal Services Client") is an RDP 5.1 client that features a much improved user interface, enabling users to save connection settings, easily switch between windowed and full screen mode, and to dynamically alter their remote experience to match the available bandwidth.
Enhanced Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
When connecting to a terminal server using an RDP 5.1 client, many of the local resources are available within the remote session, including the client file system, smart cards, audio (output), serial ports, printers (including network), and the clipboard. These redirection facilities allow users to easily take advantage of the capabilities of their client device from within the remote session. For instance, files can be opened, saved and printed to the users local PC, regardless of whether the application is running locally or remotely.
Greater Color Depth and Screen Resolution
With RDP 5.1, color depth can be selected from 256 colors (8-bit) to True Color (24-bit), and resolution can be set from 640 x 480 up to 1600 x 1200. For example, an IT administrator can use Terminal Server to support store kiosks displaying merchandise. They can be set to provide true color images for the best product image. "

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/overview/technologies/terminalserver.mspx

While VNC may have other uses, if your setup allows for RDC, don't even think about VNC.

Just me (Sir to you)
Monday, January 19, 2004

My work machine is 2k3 Server and my home PC is XP Pro. I use remote desktop - it works great.

nathan
Monday, January 19, 2004

The only issue I have seen with Terminal Services is that it sometimes does not display system tray icons that would otherwise appear with a "regular" desktop.

huh?
Monday, January 19, 2004

Make sure you get the latest RDP/TermSvcss client running on your Win2K machine from
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/rdclientdl.asp
as it gives you things like a cooler full screen mode and ALT-TAB switching on the remote machine.

Duncan Smart
Monday, January 19, 2004

To solve the "missing tasktray icons" problem, log onto the console (aka, WinStation 0) session by invoking terminal services client like so:

mstsc /console

That gives you an identical experience to being logged into the machine physically (and obviously, is only usable is nobody else is logged into WinSta0 either physically or with the /console switch).

Brad Wilson (dotnetguy.techieswithcats.com)
Tuesday, January 20, 2004

Thanks, Brad! It works! :)

huh?
Wednesday, January 21, 2004