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What are Terminal Servers?
The Jefferson Lab Terminal Servers operate on Windows 2003 server platform. Terminal Service on Windows 2003 servers enable multiple clients to simultaneously connect and run applications independently on their desktop. The "rdesktop" command on Unix/Linux systems allows non-Windows clients to login to the Windows terminal server.
What are the purpose of the Terminal Servers?
The main purpose of the Terminal Servers at Jefferson Lab is to provide Windows applications to Unix (Sun, HP or Linux) users. When connected to a Terminal Server, Unix users can temporarily use a Windows environment to access applications such as Word and Excel on their desktop. In addition, Windows users can also utilize the Terminal Servers to access applications that are not installed on their local Windows computer.
Who can use the Terminal Servers?
Any user who has a valid Jefferson Lab username and a password can use Jlab Terminal Servers.
How to connect to a Terminal Server cluster?
For Unix/Linux users, open a terminal window and type this command:rdesktop -g size_of_window -a 24 -d jlab jlabts
For Windows users, need to use Remote Desktop to log into terminal servers. Open the Remote Desktop and type jlabts on Computer field.
How to print from a Terminal Server cluster?
To print from a Terminal Server, users need to install the printer(s) of their choice. To install printers, click on the "Start" button, select and click "Run" and then type \\jlabprt in the dialog box. A window will open with all of the network printers available for installation. Double click the printer of your choice and the print drivers will automatically be installed and the printer will be ready for use.
How to save documents while using the Terminal Server?
All documents and files must be saved to your home directory (J: drive). When a user logs onto the Terminal Server, their home directory is automatically mapped as the J: drive. Any documents or files saved to the C: drive of the Terminal Server will be deleted.
Architecture of Terminal Server
Jefferson Lab has four Terminal Servers which form a cluster called "JLABTS". The cluster is designed to balance the load on each of the Terminal Server machines. Therefore, when a user logs into the Terminal Server they are actually logging into the JLABTS cluster. The Terminal Server that is the least busy will accept the login. The load balancing is based on, available memory, CPU Utilization, Page Swaps, and Context Switches for load managements.
When user logs into the Terminal Server for the first time, a unique profile will be created and saved in the user's home directory (i.e. jlabhome\%username%\jde\TSProfile). The profile that is created will be used every time the user logs into the JLABTS cluster. This profile will save the users desktop shortcuts, installed printers, and browser preferences.
Due to the increased CPU time caused by three dimensional screensavers, no screensavers or wallpaper are allowed to be used on the Terminal Server.
Supported software on the Terminal Servers
The supported software installed on the Terminal Servers are as follows: Microsoft Office Professional (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), Acrobat Reader, PuTTY, WinZip, Ghost View, Firefox and Thunderbird, Internet Explorer, and Corperate Time Calendar, etc.
Other software can be added if there is enough interest and it is proven that the software is stable in the Windows environments.
This document is maintained by {helpdesk@jlab.org}
Copyright Jefferson Lab 2007