Using Windows Server as an additional PC?
 

I'm trying to lighten my in office footprint and make my operation more mobile, yet running on one laptop would not suffice. Below is the idea that I came up with.

I use Team Viewer and Remote Desktop to login to various local and remote personal computers on a daily basis, and while the lag is noticeable, it's not a big deal for many tasks.

I was thinking about getting a Windows Server at a data center, use Team Viewer or Remote Desktop to access it and use it as an additional PC. Download and manipulate large files, light video/graphic editing, so on and so forth.

Thoughts?

I have a server for just that purpose. I can leave it running over night, processing whatever is at hand, and have the possibility to access some programs via my iphone or ipad that I would not be able to run on those machines.

Good idea, get one one vps.net for example and try it out. They have so many ready made OS images and you're up and running in a few minutes.

Does MS offer something that's basically a cloud based OS that you can pretty much tap into from anywhere?

I remember reading about this and that other companies were going to offer cloud based "desktop".

Let me see what I can dig up.

Have you had any issues running software on these? I'm looking at the 12 GB of RAM package. I would be running things like the Adobe Suite, Office Suite, Camtasia, etc.

Would multiple users be able to login at once? I realize that it would impact the overall performance of each user, but it is still desirable if possible.

Some software might not install on server os

Ive set this up for a bunch of tube uploaders. sooner or later for personal stuff you would want to get it down to your own computer anyhow. unless you are uploading large finals I think it doesnt really matter if its in a datacenter or not. the video wont be AS good as a local machine and you still have a remote network to rely on.


If you want to lower your carbon footprint. Go virtual. A windows server is just expanding someone elses carbon footprint :) with you as a user.

I do the tube VSP thing already, this is for something different.

For example I have a few workers that are spread out throughout the world. We all need to access some of the same software and content. I currently have them login to a computer I have here in the office, which would create an extra bottleneck for them. If this was done in a data center, that would be one less connection. It would also mean that I don't need to keep my office machine turned on 24/7, which I don't like doing.

I am thinking of setting up a virtual desktop for my uploaders. Now we use my server as a go-between, where I upload videos for them to send to tubes. The problem is, they have to download the vids to THEIR machine first then turn around and upload it to the tubes.

Supz I am in NYC also and would love to hear how you setup your operation for your uploaders. :)

Use VSP, I have told you this before. Not only are they wasting time by downloading the videos, they are even wasting more time by uploading through their local connection which in no way compares to the connection that they would get with VSP.

That is what you use a Remote Desktop for (formerly Terminal server)

If you use a Windows 2012R2 you get the best usability, and performance using RemoteFX

If its only for you, you can do it legally without any aditional licensen, but if you need other users (non admin users)more users, you need additional CAL licenses.

You can remotely map you local drives/clibboard/printers ect, just keep in mind your uploadspeed is the limiting factor, when you use those features.

Multible screens are no problem either.

Ah yes I remember now! So much on my plate man.....:)

He could ask host to install normal windows like xp or 7 or 8 .

I have not had issues with the programs I am using. Office is certainly not a problem.

You have two ways of logging into the machine.
1. Via Remote Desktop, Microsofts own setup, very reliable but you can only use two connections per server simultaneusly without any extra charge. For more users, you need to by extra CAL licenses, as has already been mentioned.
2. Via Teamviewer, allows for same time, I have tried it but definitely prefer Remote Desktop if/when available.

I set this up recently since I started travelling with just a tablet... Connect to server and run my intensive desktop stuff there.

Microsoft Azure

http://azure.microsoft.com/

Nice didnt know microsoft got into hosting game.Tho what i find it funny they support linux as well.And their prices are quite fine too.

I have same needs, + I need some link building tools running 24x7 on fast uplink so I got this spec from this guy (Hostamus):

i5-3570S
16GB RAM
1TB Hard Drive

Win server 2008 R2, 1Gbps port, unmetered.

$125/mo, located in Canada. They also have same deal in Europe, France.

You have to pick location close to you - less lag. You can really feel those milliseconds piling up.

Most of the soft will run on it BUT there will be plenty smart ones that will give you a finger saying that "you can't install this on server, need proper licence"...

Then again, there are plenty "open offices" out there or even google docs to do the most tricks for you. Not sure about video editing - it does require 3d graphics and servers usually have crap in there, just enough to spit out screen.

P.S. Two years ago I had such box with Win7 Pro - remote desktop. Maybe no need for "server" licence, I guess everyone has spare Win7 lying around...

Our programmer is recommending that we build one, install a nice graphics card, run Windows 7 Pro on it and it put it in a data center.

Sounds like you agree.

Yep that what i was saying no need for special server version,even a winxp would do the job.