Introduction

The Microsoft RDS Server is a server program that provides the graphical user interface (GUI) of the Windows desktop to user terminals that don't have this capability themselves. The latter include the relatively low-cost NetPC or "thin client" that some companies are purchasing as alternatives to the autonomous and more expensive PC with its own operating system and applications.

Typically, Microsoft RDS server environments involve multiple tiers of software. Domain servers in the target infrastructure handle authentication of users. Authenticated requests are passed to the Microsoft RDS servers that host a number of applications. In turn, the applications may use backend databases, printers, etc., for different functionalities. Owing to the multi-tier nature of Microsoft RDS server environments, a slow-down in one tier (e.g., the authentication server) can cause a slow-down of the entire service. When a slow-down occurs, an administrator of the server farm has to quickly determine what the source of the problem could be - i.e., Is it the network? Or the authentication server? Or the Microsoft RDS server? Or the backend database? Or the application? Accurate, fast diagnosis of problems helps reduce downtime and improve customer satisfaction. The eG Enterprise helps administrator in this regards!