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W h a t Y o u C a n D oh a t Y o u C a n D o
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Establishing a Connection
Once your Remote Desktop server and client have been configured, you should test the
connection to make sure it works the way you want. The first step is to ensure that the
Remote Desktop server is turned on and you’re connected to the network.
If someone is logged on locally, the client trying to access the server will see a message
telling them that the local user must first disconnect. Simultaneously, at the remote computer
the user will see a message allowing them to prevent the Remote Desktop session from
taking place. If the user fails to respond to the request after a certain amount of time, Windows
assumes the user is away, and they are automatically logged out.
Next, start the Remote Desktop client using these steps:
1. Select Start | All Programs | Accessories | Remote Desktop Connection.
2. From the Computer drop-down list, pick the name of the server computer or enter
its IP address. If the drop-down list does not contain any computer names, click
Browse For More to see the available computers in your domain or workgroup. This
list will only show computers that have been enabled for Remote Desktop.

NOTE If you don’t know a computer’s IP address, you can find it by selecting Start | My Network
Places and then clicking View Network Connections. Right-click your LAN or Internet
connection, choose Status, and then click the Support tab.

3. Click Connect.
4. When Remote Desktop is done forming its connection with the remote computer,
you’ll see a Windows Vista–style splash screen. The screen contains icons for the
users who have been authorized to remotely access the computer. Click your icon
and then enter your password.
5. Click OK.
Once connected, the client will see what the server’s desktop looks like, and they can
use it as if they were sitting at that computer. The main difference, however, is at the top of
the screen, where a special toolbar can be used to minimize, maximize, or close the Remote
Desktop view. For example, if you wish to work on your client computer, you click the
minimize button. To return to the Remote Desktop connection, click the maximize button.
The pushpin icon locks the menu in place.

In Practice
In the real world, how does all of this equate into dollars and cents? Let’s consider the example
of Aperture Science, Inc. The company has 5000 clients and 1000 servers. Let’s take a look at
how changing over hardware can consume less power, as well as less money.
Aperture Science, Inc. isn’t going to switch everyone over all at once. It’s just not
realistic. The company has decided to phase in the project over 5 years, as well as to
virtualize as much as possible, so it will be consolidating its 1000 servers into 720 servers.
Additionally, the company is turning half of its clients into thin clients.