Do we go remote terminal?

[SteveAll]

The company needs to upgrade to a SQL platform. We have been advised to use terminal servers and have 100+ users all remote terminal access our ERP system from all areas. I can understand for the users using the diginet lines but is it advisable for the 50% using the onsite LAN network.

 

[Moederloos]

Sounds like lousy design.

 

[Juggy]

Citrix Metaframe server would be the best in my opinion for external users. Internal should be able to connect directly, check if there are any licensing issues.

A company I worked for ran SQl with Siebel to about 350 users internal and external, it was easier upgrading client side stuff on 8 NLB clustered terminal servers than running around to each desk or writing scripts to do it for you.

 

[SecretCode]

You need to get some very solid reasons for this. I've seen terminal-server installations that basically could no longer operate on 64K diginet (with a handful of users in each remote office) because the response time needs for remote terminals are stringent.

There's a significant chance this advice comes merely because whoever will support the environment can't support or don't like wide area networking.

At the very least, you need to pilot a full-use application with one or two remote sites - and some local LAN users - and have all costs of network upgrades included in the cost case.