Rds And Webserver

[Joe]

Hello,
I'm new to Windwos Server, I have a network I will be setting up and I need to know if windows Server 2008 will do what I'm expecting and what I need to do it.
The system will have 3-5 user profiles. Two -maybe three- workstations will connect via RDP from XP machines the third will run locally. If possible one connection from a VPN or from the Web may occur too. I need to know if I need some type of user license for the client PC's that run XP to connect to the server, also will the basic 5 user CAL cover the 3-5 user profiles that will be on the server. I've done this in server 2000 but this seems entierly differnt now.
Additionally I plan to use the same Server as a Web server to host a web site. I know this is not the right place to ask but I need to know if a web server service can be run from the same System.

Thank you,
~Joe

 

[mmthomas]

Hi, Joe,

That's a lot of questions, but let's see what can be answered.

First, licensing.
- You don't need to worry about licensing for local accounts on the server. You can have as many profiles on the server as you want. That's pretty much covered by the server license itself.
- The CALS each cover one PC or user that connects to the server through the network.
- In Windows Server 2008, you no longer need CALs for each person who accesses a web site hosted on the machine.

Second, RDP. Only two RDP sessions to the server can be active at one time in administrative terminal services mode. If you will need more than two RDP sessions active, then you will need to install what used to be called Terminal Services but in Win2008 is called Remote Desktop Services. While these services can be installed for free, Microsoft expects you to purchase terminal service CALs for the clients.

VPNs are set up through Routing and Remote Access Services. That counts as a connection for server CALs.

IIS is the built-in web server service for Windows. It isn't installed/active by default. In Windows 2008 you would enable the Web Server Role to install the services.

I think that covered most of your questions.