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AnswerWin2008 Terminal Services vs TS2003 benefits and licensing

  • Tuesday, November 03, 2009 3:12 PMdakoroni Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
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    Hello Forum users,
    Any advise on the following will be much appreciated.
    I have a customer who is currently using Windows 2003 Terminal Services and plans to deploy Windows 2008 Terminal Services in short future,
    but he priorly wishes to know if it worth the effort...

    - Which are the benefits that he will gain from the new deployment, compared to what he has already?
    - Are there any differences in licensing? Since he is already entitled for Win2003 Terminal Services Server & client CALs (through Enterprise Agreement),
    what licenses he is supposed to buy?

    Thanks in advance
    Rgds, Nick.
     

Answers

  • Tuesday, November 03, 2009 5:34 PMClaudio Rodrigues Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
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    There are many differences, especially now with Windows Server 2008 R2. The first thing to be aware is 2008 R2 is 64-bit only and therefore not all applications and drivers will work. Make sure your customer apps and printers are indeed supported if willing to go down that route.
    In terms of what is different, many things. I will list only a couple:
    - True RDP over HTTPS support using the new TS Gateway and TS Web Access.
    - Session Broker.
    - Two way audio (for apps like Skype).
    - Virtual IP support (so users do not show as if coming from the same IP - the TS IP).
    - Much better multimedia support (it now supports multimedia redirection for certain things - meaning the client renders it what gives you much better performance).
    - RemoteApps
    And much more!
    You can read more on any of these links:
    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd560658%28WS.10%29.aspx
    http://www.thincomputing.net/articles/specifics-of-what-is-new-in-windows-server-2008-r2-rds.html
    http://www.thincomputing.net/blog/what-is-new-in-windows-server-2008-r2-terminal-services-2.html

    Cheers.

    Cláudio Rodrigues
    CEO, WTSLabs Inc.
    Citrix CTP

    http://www.wtslabs.com
    CEO, TSFactory Inc.
     
  • Wednesday, November 04, 2009 9:04 AMDanny van Dam Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
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    Hi,

    For Server 2008 TS or Server 2008 R2 RDS you need RDS CALs for Server 2008, the Server 2003 TS CALs will not work.

    Your customer has an Enterprise agreement with Microsoft so he can upgrade to Server 2008 (R2) and Server 2008 CALs without additional license costs.
    Only Server 2008 RDS CALs can be purchased at the moment, older CALs are no longer available (backwords compatible with Server 2003 TS)

    Keep in mind that the Server 2008 CALs have te be hosted on a Server 2008 license server, you cannot use a Server 2003 TS license server for this (Server 2003 TS servers can use the Server 2008 TS/RDS license server)


    Server 2008 R2 is only available on the x64 platform.
    Server 2008 not-R2 is available on the x86 and x64 platform.

    Ofcourse the R2 version has a lot of new features and improvements over the not-R2 Server 2008 version so upgrading to R2 is the best choice if your application will run in the 32bit emultion mode on the x64 platform . If R2 and x64 is not option then upgrading to non-R2 x86 server 2008 is still worth the effort.

    You can also implement application virtualization (App-V) if applications will not run on the R2 version. (also available with the Entprise Agreement)

    Danny



    Now you can follow al the hot TS forum threads on twitter! http://www.twitter.com/mstermserv Founder of www.citrix-guru.com and www.rds-support.eu Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/dnyvandam
     
  • Wednesday, November 04, 2009 10:03 AMLionel Chen - MSFTMSFT, ModeratorUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
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    Hello Nick,

     

    Thanks for posting in our forum.

     

    In generally, the new features provided by the Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services include core RDP functions improvement, TS-Gateway role, TS-Web Access role, TS-Session Broker role, Signal Sign-On, TS Easy Print and so on. They are summarized in the following page and the hyperlink can link you to the details:

     

    What's New in Terminal Services for Windows Server 2008

    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc733093(WS.10).aspx

     

    Windows Server 2008 R2 Remote Desktop Services, which replaces the former name Terminal Services, provides technologies that enable users to access session-based desktops, virtual machine-based desktops, or applications in the datacenter from both within a corporate network and from the Internet.

     

    Remote Desktop Services: Why Upgrade?

    http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/rds-why-upgrade.aspx

     

    I hope the materials provided by Claudio and the articles above can help you evaluate the products for your business.

     

    Regarding the license question, you’ll need to buy Windows Server 2008 RDS CALs for each user/device that accesses the new server. However, if you have Software Assurance on the Windows Server 2003 TS CALs, you’re covered and the upgrade is free.

     

    For the detailed information on how to buy or upgrade the CALs from Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008 / R2, we recommend you to use licensing support. Please call 1-800-426-9400 (select option 4), Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. (PST) to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist. Worldwide customers can use the Guide to Worldwide Microsoft Licensing Sites  http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/mla/default.aspx to find a method for your regions.

     

    Thanks for your cooperation. Please feel free to let me know if you need any further assistance.

     

    ·         Lionel Chen

    TechNet Subscriber Support in forum

    If you have any feedback on our support, please contact tngfd@microsoft.com

     

All Replies

  • Tuesday, November 03, 2009 5:34 PMClaudio Rodrigues Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
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    There are many differences, especially now with Windows Server 2008 R2. The first thing to be aware is 2008 R2 is 64-bit only and therefore not all applications and drivers will work. Make sure your customer apps and printers are indeed supported if willing to go down that route.
    In terms of what is different, many things. I will list only a couple:
    - True RDP over HTTPS support using the new TS Gateway and TS Web Access.
    - Session Broker.
    - Two way audio (for apps like Skype).
    - Virtual IP support (so users do not show as if coming from the same IP - the TS IP).
    - Much better multimedia support (it now supports multimedia redirection for certain things - meaning the client renders it what gives you much better performance).
    - RemoteApps
    And much more!
    You can read more on any of these links:
    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd560658%28WS.10%29.aspx
    http://www.thincomputing.net/articles/specifics-of-what-is-new-in-windows-server-2008-r2-rds.html
    http://www.thincomputing.net/blog/what-is-new-in-windows-server-2008-r2-terminal-services-2.html

    Cheers.

    Cláudio Rodrigues
    CEO, WTSLabs Inc.
    Citrix CTP

    http://www.wtslabs.com
    CEO, TSFactory Inc.
     
  • Wednesday, November 04, 2009 9:04 AMDanny van Dam Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
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    Hi,

    For Server 2008 TS or Server 2008 R2 RDS you need RDS CALs for Server 2008, the Server 2003 TS CALs will not work.

    Your customer has an Enterprise agreement with Microsoft so he can upgrade to Server 2008 (R2) and Server 2008 CALs without additional license costs.
    Only Server 2008 RDS CALs can be purchased at the moment, older CALs are no longer available (backwords compatible with Server 2003 TS)

    Keep in mind that the Server 2008 CALs have te be hosted on a Server 2008 license server, you cannot use a Server 2003 TS license server for this (Server 2003 TS servers can use the Server 2008 TS/RDS license server)


    Server 2008 R2 is only available on the x64 platform.
    Server 2008 not-R2 is available on the x86 and x64 platform.

    Ofcourse the R2 version has a lot of new features and improvements over the not-R2 Server 2008 version so upgrading to R2 is the best choice if your application will run in the 32bit emultion mode on the x64 platform . If R2 and x64 is not option then upgrading to non-R2 x86 server 2008 is still worth the effort.

    You can also implement application virtualization (App-V) if applications will not run on the R2 version. (also available with the Entprise Agreement)

    Danny



    Now you can follow al the hot TS forum threads on twitter! http://www.twitter.com/mstermserv Founder of www.citrix-guru.com and www.rds-support.eu Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/dnyvandam
     
  • Wednesday, November 04, 2009 10:03 AMLionel Chen - MSFTMSFT, ModeratorUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
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    Hello Nick,

     

    Thanks for posting in our forum.

     

    In generally, the new features provided by the Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services include core RDP functions improvement, TS-Gateway role, TS-Web Access role, TS-Session Broker role, Signal Sign-On, TS Easy Print and so on. They are summarized in the following page and the hyperlink can link you to the details:

     

    What's New in Terminal Services for Windows Server 2008

    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc733093(WS.10).aspx

     

    Windows Server 2008 R2 Remote Desktop Services, which replaces the former name Terminal Services, provides technologies that enable users to access session-based desktops, virtual machine-based desktops, or applications in the datacenter from both within a corporate network and from the Internet.

     

    Remote Desktop Services: Why Upgrade?

    http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/rds-why-upgrade.aspx

     

    I hope the materials provided by Claudio and the articles above can help you evaluate the products for your business.

     

    Regarding the license question, you’ll need to buy Windows Server 2008 RDS CALs for each user/device that accesses the new server. However, if you have Software Assurance on the Windows Server 2003 TS CALs, you’re covered and the upgrade is free.

     

    For the detailed information on how to buy or upgrade the CALs from Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008 / R2, we recommend you to use licensing support. Please call 1-800-426-9400 (select option 4), Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. (PST) to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist. Worldwide customers can use the Guide to Worldwide Microsoft Licensing Sites  http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/mla/default.aspx to find a method for your regions.

     

    Thanks for your cooperation. Please feel free to let me know if you need any further assistance.

     

    ·         Lionel Chen

    TechNet Subscriber Support in forum

    If you have any feedback on our support, please contact tngfd@microsoft.com

     
  • Wednesday, November 04, 2009 11:31 AMdakoroni Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
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    Thank you all for your accurate and detailed feedback.
    The picture is much more clear now.
    Rgds, Nick.
     
  • Thursday, November 05, 2009 1:58 AMLionel Chen - MSFTMSFT, ModeratorUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
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    Hello Nick,

    I'm glad to hear our information is helpful for you.

    If you need any further assistance on this topic, feel free to follow up here. Thanks.

    Lionel Chen

    TechNet Subscriber Support in forum

    If you have any feedback on our support, please contact tngfd@microsoft.com