(RD) Expert advise needed

i need to setup a working env few branch in different location for my
company...

My plan:
Remote client from all different branch use XP RD to connect to main office
server using W2k3.

My conern:
1.) How many concurrent connection W2k3 able to handle ?
2.) Is there any license required for each connected client?
3.) what's the best security implementation recommended (ISA/VPN?)
4.) what's the recommended hardware requirement for the W2k3 to let
all the remote client running an app with the speed.

please help, thanks a lot!

You cannot really use remote desktop for that. Remote desktop to a server
(or remote admin) is provided so that you can remotely administer your
server and is limited to two connections. To provide that sort of service
for clients you need to use Terminal Server, and you do need client licences
for that to operate.

If you want tighter security, you can set up VPN connections and then
run Terminal Services across the VPN connection. You can use Microsoft VPN
(RRAS or ISA Server) or third party VPN software/hardware.

"Den" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>i need to setup a working env few branch in different location for my
>company...
>
> My plan:
> Remote client from all different branch use XP RD to connect to main
> office server using W2k3.
>
> My conern:
> 1.) How many concurrent connection W2k3 able to handle ?
> 2.) Is there any license required for each connected client?
> 3.) what's the best security implementation recommended (ISA/VPN?)
> 4.) what's the recommended hardware requirement for the W2k3 to let
> all the remote client running an app with the speed.
>
> please help, thanks a lot!
>
>

hi, answers inline:
--
Dragos CAMARA
MCSA Windows 2003 server


"Den" wrote:

> i need to setup a working env few branch in different location for my
> company...
>
> My plan:
> Remote client from all different branch use XP RD to connect to main office
> server using W2k3.
>
> My conern:
1.) How many concurrent connection W2k3 able to handle ?
Depends of applications runned by users - how much memory and proccessor wil
use that application.You have to install Terminal Services on W2k3 server to
have more then 2 remote connections.
2.) Is there any license required for each connected client?
For Terminal Server you have to set a Terminal Server licensing and buy from
microsoft and install there licenses. If you dont buy the TS will stop
working(client will cant connect to server) after 120 days.
3.) what's the best security implementation recommended (ISA/VPN?)
RDP is secure, but if you create a VPN is much better - i suggest you to
create a site-to-site VPN to be transparent for users - they will not create
and connect a VPN that will be the router job.
4.) what's the recommended hardware requirement for the W2k3 to let
all the remote client running an app with the speed.
as i said at #1 depends on applications - run on a user that applications
(all in same time if there are more then 1) and see what is goinng on with
memory and processors.
>
> please help, thanks a lot!
>
>
>