Question : how to optimize performance of Terminal Server connections

Hello,

We operate in a terminal services environment running Windows Server 2008.
Server performance is not an issue here, it is the low bandwith at remote locations, which cannot be increased.
I am definitely not a network expert (not even work in IT) but I need to know what experts can do about it.

1) how to optimize performance of Terminal Server connections?
So far, using properties of TS connection, I decreased the number of colors and chose settings suitable for lowest connection speed (28.8 kbps).
Is it possible to compress somehow the connection?
I heard that you can set up a VPN connection with compression between remote location and server?
Please advise on possible solutions - both software and hardware - and how much they can improve the connection speed.

2) What is the the upload and download bandwith usage when connecting through TS?
are the upload requirements (when connecting as client) very small because mostly mouse movements and clicks are transferred?

thank you,
Jarek

Answer : how to optimize performance of Terminal Server connections

Five people over a 2mb/512kb connection means really 400kb/100kb for each person on average. As they are surfing the internet AND using email at the same time from their local PC this means this amount is further reduced for RDP. I am almost certain you have no packet prioritization on these remote offices what means RDP traffic is not guaranteed and will for sure suffer with people on the Internet, doing emails, etc. Printing will also chew up more bandwidth.
Compression may help but again, as you have no control on which protocol gets priority, if email/browsing is using all the bandwidth, does not matter if you have compression or not.
Compression does not work miracles. It can compress to a certain point.
Your only solution is really apply some sort of packet prioritization that would guarantee and prioritize RDP traffic (TCP 3389). For example this could be set to reserve 60% of the link for RDP traffic. Note this is NOT an out-of-the-box feature and will require third party products.
Other options may be WAN optimization devices (like Riverbed, Citrix Netscalers, etc) but prepare your pockets. These do not come cheap.
Finally you can try a solution like Ericom Blaze to see if that helps (just google for Ericom Blaze).

Cláudio Rodrigues
Citrix CTP