Terminal Services blues

[Steven E. Protter]

Two terminal services licenses comes with Windows 2003 Server SBS. Small Business.

I purchased and correctly installed a 5 user retail license to Terminal Services.

Yet even after a reboot only 2 simultaneous users can get in.

No message, just rejects the connection.

How do I get 5 simultaneous Terminal Services users?

SEP

[Igor Karasik · Accepted solution]

Shalom Steven !

Probably stupid question, but anyway:
Do you have windows 2003 server that are running in APPLICATION mode ?

Because by default windows 2003 has Remote Administration mode and this mode allow only 2 simultaneous connections....

Note: you cannot install TS application mode on windows 2003 SBS server, you need additional windows 2003 server:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/evaluation/faq/term.mspx

Good link about TS licensing:
http://www.brianmadden.com/content/article/The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Windows-2003-Terminal-Server-Licensing

Regards, Igor

[Steven E. Protter]

So I need another License to Windows to make the expensive TS license work, or there is a way to change configuration of the SBS to make this work.

Already have a 5 user Cal for both the OS and Terminal Services.

SEP

[Igor Karasik]

Steven,
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/evaluation/faq/term.mspx
You have two options: install additional windows 2003 server in SBS2003 environment or use Virtual server...

"If you want to use Terminal Services in Application Server mode, we recommend that you purchase an additional Windows Server 2003 license and install an additional server running Windows Server into the SBS 2003 R2 domain. You could also run Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 on SBS 2003 R2 and then run Windows Server 2003 in terminal services mode within Virtual Server."

[Steven E. Protter]

Virtual Server doesn't cost money?

I'm against spending more money on this system if it can be avoided. I am however concerned about the hardware requirements.

I'll look into this.

SEP

[Igor Karasik]

>>Virtual Server doesn't cost money?

Virtual server 2005 standard edition is free,
but you still need additional windows 2003 server license (for running as guest OS on Virtual server)

In case of windows 2003 Terminal server on different hardware you still need windows 2003 server license + hardware cost.

Note that in case of running windows 2003 on virtual server you need strong hardware (I think at least 2 Gb memory ) because in this case you run SBS 2003 server and windows 2003 terminal server on same hardware

[Steven E. Protter]

If I reinstalled the OS is there a way to do this without additional licenses.

I mean we paid $499 for SMS and now have paid $399 for a 5 user CAL to Terminal Services on top of the 5 user CAL that came with the OS.

To have to pay for another CAL is outrageous.

We have other hardware available and may be able to do the SBS install again in some supported way. Maybe its time to get pissy with Microsoft?

SEP

[freebird (-.-)]

Yes, you need to stomp on your sales rep, because there is no way to get more than 2 concurrent Terminal Services sessions opened without another license. Been there, done that, moved to Red Hat.

--Rich

[Igor Karasik]

>>If I reinstalled the OS is there a way to do this without additional licenses.

AFAIK, no

If you reinstall - you still will install SBS2003 - right ? (because you have SBS2003 license). And in SBS2003 you cannot define terminal server application mode on SBS2003 server.
Only if you will install windows 2003 regular domain (not SBS2003) you will be able install Terminal server on domain controller , although it's not recommended

[Steven E. Protter]

I missed something early and important.

Yes the system is in Application mode. I'd like a method to check this, but it permits two connections only in terminal services mode.

Is there another mode?

I can though its nasty build another box and install it in a different mode.

SEP

[Igor Karasik]

Steven,
I think your system is in "Remote desktop for administration" mode. You can check this in Administrative tools->Terminal services configuration - Look Licensing in server settings.

Remote desktop for administration mode limited for 2 concurrent connections....

[Steven E. Protter]

Hoping I can just convert in place.

That would be nice.

SEP

[Steven E. Protter]

I gave Igor full points because he tried.

Microsoft SBS can't run Terminal services at all. It was designed that way.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/828056

Terminal Server is available on the Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter editions of Windows Server 2003. In Windows Small Business Server 2003, only the Remote Desktop for Administration mode is available. Only this mode is available because Windows Small Business Server 2003 always runs on a domain controller, and if you run Terminal Server on a domain controller, you may risk the safety of the server and the safety of your organization's sensitive data.

Is that just not lovely.

I can't even upgrade, I have to purchase a brand new server license and build a new server.

SEP

[Antony I Louis]

HI
In windows 2003 default TS is 2, but using mstsc/console we can get one more session, so at the same time we can get 3 cuncurrent session..