Remote Desktop Services allow you to centrally manage and execute iFIX. The Remote Desktop Services environment is a thin-client architecture where all application processing occurs centrally on the Server.
By installing a small piece of thin-client software from Microsoft or connecting through a Microsoft browser, thin clients are able to initiate and run individual instances of iFIX on the Server. Only graphic, keyboard, and mouse instructions are sent back and forth between the client and the Server, minimizing network traffic.
NOTE: Remote Desktop Services should only be used for Remote Desktop (Terminal Server Client) Connections to run iFIX in a remote desktop client session. Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection is not supported for installing software. If you need to install software, use tools such as Team Viewer, VNC, or vSphere Web Client software.
Using Remote Desktop Services with iFIX provides:
Ease of maintenance – You can install one copy of iFIX onto the Server, allowing multiple users to run clients from the Server. Upgrades and SIMs only need to be installed on the Server.
Shared pictures – Each user accesses the same set of pictures. When one picture is changed, all users get the changes.
Remote access – Using the Remote Desktop Services Advanced Client (TSAC) or Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), clients can connect to the iFIX Server/Remote Desktop Session Host and access iFIX through Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher.
Built-in RDP in Windows – Windows Clients can connect using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and access iFIX through Internet Explorer.
Security – Data between the iFIX Remote Desktop Session Host and the client session is encrypted. There is also additional security between the client machines and the iFIX Remote Desktop Session Host.
Lightweight client machines – The iFIX Remote Desktop Session Host locally processes the software that the clients execute. Clients connecting to the Server do not need the processing power usually required to run iFIX. This allows clients running platforms from other Windows platforms to execute iFIX through Remote Desktop Services.
Specialized environments – Terminal Services allows you to tightly control user accounts. For example, you can configure a user account to start and execute a single program (iFIX). iFIX automatically starts at log in, and the user does not have access to the Windows desktop. When the user exits iFIX, he logs out of the Terminal Server account.
Handheld environments – Terminal Services gives you the ability to use wireless handhelds to display iFIX screens.
Controlled access to files – Using the Windows file protection, you can limit the directories users are allowed to access and modify. File protection also allows you to create safe and separate environments for developing and testing new pictures.
