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can and will amazing charts run on a terminal server that is connected to sbs 2008 to connect into on a VPN with so that you could use it like a remote desktop connection? If so would it also support multiple users connecting to it at once?

Yes. Rather than using VPN, you can simply use Remote Web Workplace. You may or may not have to add the Terminal Server to the computers list manually. Simply join your Terminal Server to the domain. And you can use all the same usernames and passwords (AD authentication) on the Terminal Server as you do on your regular network. Multiple users at once is exactly what a terminal server does. Turn on folder redirection as well and your people will not be able to tell the difference.

You can skip over the VPN and just use RD Gateway as it's already installed.

Hey Sandeep,

What does folder redirection do and how do you turn it on?

Thanks!

Does exactly what it name says. It redirects folders. It's brilliant. Moves all data to the server. In other words, there is no data actually being stored on the client machines. This really simplifies backups when everything is on one computer. Furthermore, if an employee were to move to a new computer, he or she would have the same exact files, folders, and icons on the desktop as they did before. Even on a terminal server this would hold true. That way you're terminal server won't be storing any data either, instead just handling sessions which improves performance.

Is this different than roaming profiles?

This is what we currently use, but i don't think everything is saved on the computer. I switched to a new computer and my desktop and download items were not there.

Thanks!

Roaming Profiles are often used in conjunction with Folder Redirection. Roaming profiles are used to store configuration settings on the server. Often it is incorrectly implemented and results in slowness. The reason why is that Roaming Profiles are copied from the server to the local computer everytime that user logs on. User works with the local profile. Then upon logoff, it is copied back to the server. Now if you have a lot of files, this can take quite a while. Say person A had 10GB. That 10GB would be copied back and fourth each time he or she logs on/off. Hence, it's recommended to use roaming profiles for configuration settings (small stuff).

Folder Redirection stores data on the server and is directly accessed on the server. So at the end of each session, only the files that have been added get synced. So you'll want to use folder redirection for large folders like my documents, downloads, etc. Roaming profiles for small configuration files. (cookies, wallpaper, favorites, recently opened files, etc.)

As a side note, you should see if you can get the Terminal Server and SBS 2008 Virtualized on the same box.

It should be noted too, this is why a gigabit network is good. With SBS 2011, there's a lot of stuff passing through the pipes: Exchange, SharePoint, Folder Shares, Folder Redirections, Roaming Profiles, Amazing Charts, etc. This is why we recommend them. This is, of course, assuming you use these features. Makes backing up a lot easier when everything is one place. Only need one external drive and one offsite subscription.

Roaming profiles are extremely cool. But, there can be issues. Maybe Sandeep has an answer.

First, there is the dummy profile. When the network is completely new, you set up a fake account on your computer. Everyone knows it takes about 15 to 20 minutes to get all the settings the way you want them. Resolution, icon placement, Start button setup, wallpaper, etc. And, of course, you figure everyone wants to look like that. You definitely don't want to be at work one day and one of your staff logs into a computer for the first time, and it sets up their profile and that beautiful curvy grass and blue sky cover the monitor. Yuk! So, you sit down and as fast as you can change it all to your way (which, seriously, is better). They can change it after unless you have things locked down in group policy.

Anyway, after you set it up the way you want, you copy the contests of the temp user profile into a folder on the server. You have to make a couple of configuration steps which are a little difficult to describe in words.

So, now anyone who logs into their computer for the first time or any computer, their computer automatically looks to that profile and sets up the computer as those settings populate the PC. Now, with Roaming Profiles, when that user logs off, the settings go back to the server. Very cool.

Now, the part where I have trouble mostly with me but occasionally with my staff is the following. And, correct me if I am wrong or tell me a better way. But, Roaming Profiles is designed for a user to log in, get the profile from the server, do their stuff, log off, and their profile goes back to the server. But, I seemed to have issues when I would see a patient in a room, logon, get the profile under my user, then lock the computer (not log off), logon in the next room try to get the profile, lock the computer, etc. Not sure it works as well if you don't have to log off each time. ???

Your desktop folder is included in your profile, so I am not sure why your desktop files were not there.

@Sandeep With WIN 7, you can use Group Policy to have your roaming profile sync in real time. Maybe that would fix my problem.

I don't think roaming profiles were designed to be used on multiple computers simultaneously. More to jump from one to another.