What Is Terminal Services?

Terminal Services is a component included in Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Windows XP and later. It allows a user to run a “session” on the server. A session is simply a Windows environment which can run programs, no different to using a workstation, except only the keystrokes and screen display are sent over the wire. This is of most benefit over slow, unreliable networks such as the Internet because the program and data remain on the server. If the link is broken, the session may be resumed without data loss. This makes it possible for remote users to access complex applications that are difficult to deploy outside the local area network (LAN). The remote users could be in a branch office, at home or in an Internet cafe on the other side of the world.