Microsoft
Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 is a special version of the Microsoft Windows Server
operating system that allows multiple users to simultaneously share one
computer. Each user station, typically consisting of a monitor, keyboard, and
mouse connected to a station hub, provides an independent Microsoft Windows
desktop environment. The station hubs connect to the single host computer
through USB or video cables and use the host computer's processing
capabilities.
Microsoft
Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Premium Edition supports up to 20 simultaneously
connected user stations. The host computer also can be used as a station to
support one additional user. Microsoft Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Premium Edition
also supports joining an Active Directory domain if needed, providing users
with access to network services.
Microsoft
Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 can be useful for organisations or libraries
with computer labs, classrooms, or other collaborative environments where using
just one computer for several users can save energy, simplify maintenance, and
lower expenses. The ability to share a monitor in split screen view between two
independent users and to connect older machines as stations over a local area
network (LAN) provides further cost- and energy-saving options.
Microsoft
Windows MultiPoint Server includes MultiPoint Manager, which allows the primary
user to monitor and manage Microsoft Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 user
stations. Primary users can create accounts for an unlimited number of standard
users, who can access their customized desktop and settings by logging into any
station. Primary users also can view full screens of individual users or
thumbnail screens of all active users, allowing them to monitor user activity
without leaving their station. They can suspend all stations at once or
broadcast the desktop of their own or any user's computer to all other
connected user stations.
Other
capabilities include the following:
-
Software programs installed on the host computer can be
accessed from any connected station, without separately installing the software
for each user. (Note that Microsoft Office and other Microsoft programs
available through Volume Licencing require a separate licence for each user
station in a Microsoft Windows MultiPoint Server environment. Other software
manufacturers may have their own licencing requirements for shared computing
environments.)
-
Public Documents folders allow users to share information
and collaborate on projects, while users' private folders can be accessed only
by the user or the administrator.
-
Traditional desktops, laptops, and thin clients also can
act as stations by connecting to the host computer using Remote Desktop
Protocol (RDP) over a local area network (LAN). This allows an organisation to
use existing and possibly older computers as stations without removing those
computers' ability to operate independently (devices connecting over LAN must
be licenced in the same manner as other user stations).
Licencing: This product includes a
Microsoft Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Premium Edition server licence. Each
user station that connects to Microsoft Windows MultiPoint Server must have two
types of client access licences (CALs): a Microsoft Windows MultiPoint Server
CAL and a Microsoft Windows Server CAL. These two CALs, licenced per device (a
user station), are available as a single donation through DonorTec (see Related
Products below). If the host computer is used as a user station and not just
for administration, organisations must acquire both a Microsoft Windows MultiPoint
Server CAL and a Microsoft Windows Server CAL for it as well.
Individual
Microsoft Windows MultiPoint Server device CALs are also available through SANGOTeCH
for users with valid Microsoft Windows Server CALs. Microsoft Windows MultiPoint
Server user CALs, as opposed to Microsoft Windows MultiPoint Server device
CALs, are not available through DonorTec since this kind of licencing would be
more costly in a typical Microsoft Windows MultiPoint Server setup than licencing
per device. For example, a setup with 10 user stations would require just 10
device CALs for any number of users. If licenced per user, the same setup would
require each user to have a separate licence.
At
the Microsoft Volume Licencing Service Center, the product key for Microsoft Windows
MultiPoint Server 2011 will be listed as Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2.
64-Bit Only: Microsoft Windows MultiPoint
Server 2011 requires a 64-bit processor with at least two cores. See System
Requirements below for more information.
Also available as part of the Microsoft Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 range:
- Microsoft Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Windows MultiPoint Server Device CAL Pack for One Station
- Microsoft Windows MultiPoint Server Device CAL
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