Benefits and Limitations of Terminal Server

BENEFITS

• Security and Flexibility: Provides secure access to resources on the DEB network and utilizes centralized file storage so that files can be available from machines in multiple locations.
• Authenticated, access to UCSF resources that DEB users cannot access with a regular dial-up account or DSL/cable.
• Allows remote access to Outlook, which is much more robust than the web client, OWA (Outlook Web Access).
• Files that are saved to the server (M Drive) are available from anywhere users can log onto Terminal Server.
• Non platform-specific. Windows, Macintosh and Unix users can all use Terminal Server.
• Cost-effectiveness:
  • Users get the latest version of the Microsoft applications without having to upgrade individual workstations.
  • Phased hardware upgrades: by letting users access current applications on hardware that might otherwise be of little use, Terminal Services can help projects that are gradually replacing older machines.
  • Users can purchase an inexpensive terminal for use in the office rather than a full computer system.

• Available applications are MS Office Suite, Stata, SAS (restricted access), SPSS, Teleform (restricted access), Visio, Atlas ti, EndNote, FileMaker 4 and 5, and Acrobat.
• In order to access Terminal Server, every user needs a connection to the network, either via the local area network or the internet. Terminal Server cannot be accessed from an airplane, for example, unless internet connectivity is provided.
• Any time a user works offline and saves documents to a local drive, the user is responsible for copying any updated files back up to the server in order to preserve centralized access from multiple locations.
• Users need to spend time learning about how Terminal Server works in order to maximize its potential.