keeping everyone happy: serving windows users in a macintosh environment laurie sutch, university of...
TRANSCRIPT
Keeping Everyone Happy: Serving Windows Users in a Macintosh Environment
Laurie Sutch, University of Michigan
Session Outline
• Background of the Faculty Exploratory
• Supporting PC Users in a Mac Lab– Various mechanisms– Pros and cons
• Future Directions
What is the Faculty Exploratory?
• Opened in 1997, the “inreach” of Outreach– Managed by a librarian– Now part of the University Library
• Specifically for faculty– Nice atmosphere, tiered seating– 17 workstations
• Novice and non-users of technology
What is the Faculty Exploratory?
• Workshops and one-on-one consulting– Variety of software and level of instruction
• Both Mac and PC platforms– DOS/PC Compatibility Cards– Virtual PC– Terminal Services
Our Requirements
The PC solution needed to…
• Function from the same machine (toggle between Mac and Windows)
• Access removable media
• Support the software applications we need
PC Compatibility Cards (1997-2001)
• Good news: It worked!– Seemed like a real PC– Managed with Assimilator
• Bad news: PC seen as one large file on Mac– Only 10 machines could autoload at time
Virtual PC (2001-2003)
• Advantages:– Cheaper, not a physical card, bit easier to set up
• Issues:– Still seen as one large file by Mac– Since it was software, crashed more– Towards the end started to seem slow
Terminal Services (2003-present)
• Windows Server 2003– 2x 2.2GHz Xeon Processors, 2 GB memory– RAID 5, with hot spare– Served via Apple’s Remote Desktop Connection
Remote Desktop Connection
Picture of Terminal Services
Terminal Services (2003-present)
• Pros:– Faster– Load/change software once– Security and virus settings controlled by server– Access from other training rooms (Mac or PC)
• Any version of Windows (98, NT, 2000, XP) or OS 9• Same number of total users, different facility• Ability to demonstrate Windows version of software
Terminal Services (2003-present)
• Cons:– Initial cost/shorter replacement cycle– Increased external support
• Setup/configuration of the operating system software (external)
• Installation of applications (local)
– Large multimedia/video programs not well served
Future Directions
• Continued support of both Mac and Windows• Stay with Terminal Services for the next few
years– Increase use from other facilities– Explore ways to better support graphic intensive
software
• Continue to consider other methods of support– Apple’s switch to Intel - what might this mean for us?
Summary
• Looked at all the options out there (we think!)
• Right now, stay with Terminal Services to support our mission
• Keeping eye on new developments
• More applications of thin client software
