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Tech Tips / Windows 2000 Server / Terminal Services

Installing Terminal Services

Terminal Services is the Microsoft implementation of a thin-client server. That means that the Terminal Server delivers applications to the client while performing all the actual processing on the server itself. In practice, even a DOS-based system could run Office 2000, although it really depends on the overall capacity of the server, as well as the capacity (both real and statistical) and the processing power of the client.

Note: Terminal Services no longer supports DOS clients natively. You can create 16-bit client disks, but that support is for Windows 3.11 only.

Before you set up Terminal Services, you'll need to run through and see that your DNS and DHCP (if you're using them locally) are configured properly. Also, define your server's domain name as either a registered domain name or, as suggested by Microsoft, in the form of sub-domain.domain.local. Otherwise, you might experience some difficulties with clients trying to access the server.

1. Insert the Windows 2000 Server CD in the drive.
2. From the Autostart menu, click Add/Remove Programs. When the dialog appears, switch to Add/Remove Windows Components.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the list and enable the Terminal Services check box. You can leave Terminal Services Licensing off for 90 days while you make sure your installation is working perfectly.
4. Click OK.

Doing this will set a series of actions into motion that will result in the installation and configuration of Active Directory, which is necessary to use Terminal Services. Just follow the clear directions, and you'll have a complete Terminal Services installation.