Introduction

A majority of Citrix MetaFrame XP solutions are created for remote users, such as travelers, telecommuters, and Internet users. Due to their low-bandwidth consumption, thin client solutions are ideal when you need to provide an interactive application across a telephone line or Internet connection. Remote users can use a thin client to run an application from virtually anywhere in the world.

When designing a thin client solution for a business, you must take into consideration how users are going to gain access to the MetaFrame XP server. Will they be connecting via modems? Will they be connecting via a VPN? Will they be connecting to a branch office network and have traffic routed through? Will users need the flexibility to choose how to connect, depending on where they are located?

Even when a company has a VPN or remote access system in place, it should be examined when adding a thin client solution. The remote access servers need to have the capacity and accessibility that will meet anticipated usage. This could mean that an existing remote access server needs to be expanded, upgraded, or replaced. For a company without an existing VPN or remote access server, one needs to be designed from the ground up.

Windows 2000 Server includes a native service called Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS). RRAS supports VPN as well as dialup connections. A Windows 2000 Server can be installed with RRAS to work in conjunction with other remote access servers and is an...