My small business currently runs a SBS 2011 Essentials on a low spec micro server purely as Domain Controller, and Windows 2003 Server on a high spec’d HP server with RAID and redundancy running the CRM application and providing data storage. Both on the same Head Office LAN. I have 7 local Windows 7 Pro users connected to this LAN, and 2 remote users who connect via RDC to 2 dedicated PC's connected locally to the H/O LAN.<o:p></o:p>
This has worked satisfactorily enough, and much better than the original solution of the remote users using VPN to access the LAN which was too slow.<o:p></o:p>
Now however, I am looking to bring on 3 more remote users, and also provide the 7 local users with easy remote access during weekends and after work (they currently can only RDC into the local PC's if they are not being used). I do not see adding more local PC's and associated licences as the most cost/time effective way of doing this and of course software management would be a nightmare.
I understand from some of the posts in this forum that my options may include:<o:p></o:p>
- -Premium Add-on Server for SBS2011Essentials (we wouldn't need the SQL server)<o:p></o:p>
- -Remote Desktop Services for Windows 2003 Server<o:p></o:p>
- -Any other 2nd server (Windows 2008, Foundation, Multipoint) - I am less clear on these.<o:p></o:p>
I am committed to putting in an additional piece of server hardware as I do not want RDS on either the DC or the CRM server. I would see that there would be 4 fulltime users accessing the 2003server via RDS on a day to day basis and peaking at 7 remote users when people are out of the office.
I welcome any advice on the best solution to do this. My considerations are cost, ease of setup (my choice of SBS2011Essentials describes my tech ability), and operational features. Any advice on the server spec also appreciated (the remote users use only Office 2010 and the CRM client)
Thanks in advance for any advice, comments and contributions,<o:p></o:p>
