Terminal Server Proposal

[ddrueding]

I need to build a terminal server (Server 2003) to handle 10 full-time users toing some complex stuff. What do you think?

Motherboard     Tyan Thunder K8W                              $500
CPUs            2x AMD Opteron 242 (2Ghz, 64-bit, 1MB L2    $1,400
RAM             4GB PC3200 (DDR400) ECC (8x 512MB Sticks)   $1,000
Hard Drives     4x WD 740GD Raptors (10k RPM, 74GB)         $1,000
Optical Drive   Pioneer DVR-A07 (8x DVD-RW)                   $150
SATA Backplane  Supermicro 5-drive hot-swap assembly          $200
Chassis         Antec 3U Rackmount with 550W EPS12V PS*       $350
                                                            $4,600

 

[ddrueding]

BTW, there is some margin in those #s :wink:

 

[Mercutio]

So, ten people running ten different sets of random applications that can be run over TS? That machine looks like overkill to me.
Anyway, the heart-breaker with TS, for me, has always been licensing. $85 per client? Ouch.

 

[time]

I think the concept is nuts. That's $1000 per user (including the licensing as Merc pointed out) which could have been used to buy new PCs.

 

[ddrueding]

It would be nuts, if this were instead of them getting new desktops but they're all getting new laptops as well.
And terminal services licencing has shot down many a viable business model.
But for this application, my client is fairly certain it's the proper route to take.

Re: Software costs (MSRP):
Windows Server 2003 w/10 CALs: $1200
10 Terminal Server CALs: $1500
Total: $2700

Added to cost of hardware: $7,300

Cost of custom app running for these 10 guys? $95,000

It really helps the perspective

 

[ddrueding]

The fact that they will actually be using the terminal server as a terminal server makes it more cost effective. This app is very compute intensive, both server and client side. Each job file can be 300MB in size. One of the reasons I chose Opteron is so I can get medival with the memory if the app ends up requiring it. They will be logging in from home on their personal PCs on DSL, from job sites via laptop and cell phone, and from their office using docking stations. To keep a consistent user enviroment in these situations demands TS.

 

[Mercutio]

Might be cheaper to do Metaframe rather than TS.

 

[ddrueding]

I have a couple of Citrix servers, but they require MS TS licencing on top of thier licencing....making the cost really ridiculous. And I much prefer the MS client.

 

[zx]

Cost of custom app running for these 10 guys? $95,000

It this the cost of having 10 (or more) licences of this software?

 

[ddrueding]

Nope, it's the cost of a programmer and a DBA for 6 months :lol:

When I said "custom", I meant it