14 J.D. Edwards’ OneWorld B73.3 and Windows Terminal Server
Citrix and Its Relationship to TSE
Microsoft and Citrix agreed to provide Windows-based terminal support for the
Windows NT environment. Since Windows NT 3.51, Citrix has developed a
multiuser technology called Winframe. Winframe is a technology based on a
presentation protocol called
Independent Computing Architecture
(ICA).
Microsoft’s TSE runs on its own presentation protocol called
Remote Desktop Protocol
(RDP).
Citrix now provides ICA support for Terminal Server Edition through a product
they named
MetaFrame.
MetaFrame replaces the older Winframe. MetaFrame
expands the client platform options. Where TSE client software supports Win16
and Win32 machines and some RDP-equipped Windows terminals, MetaFrame
supports client software using DOS, Win16, Win32, X-Term, Macintosh, Solaris,
Windows CE, and also ICA equipped network computers. Citrix Metaframe is an
add-on software for Terminal Server Edition.
Advantages of Utilizing Citrix with TSE are:
• Performance - with the MetaFrame’s ICA protocol, there is 20% less
bandwidth than with TSE’s RDP.
• Functionality enhancements - multiple network topologies are now
supported with Citrix. It not only supports TCP/IP but also IPX/SPX, PPP,
and NetBIOS. TSE only supports TCP/IP. However, keep in mind that
OneWorld only supports TCP/IP.
• CCPDD - MetaFrame allows the functions of cut/copy/drag/drop between
the session windows. TSE does not.
• Device mapping - MetaFrame allows the mapping of devices local to a
remote client such as hard drives, fax modems, and printers from the
Terminal Server - TSE only allows with printing which can only be done
through a workaround.
• Session shadowing - with MetaFrame loaded, TSE supports an
administration tool called session shadowing. This is useful for
administrators who want to audit remote sessions. It can also be used with
video conferences and support desk roles.
ICA and RDP are presentation services protocols that separate an application’s
logic from its user interface (UI), processing the logic portion of an application on
the server and displaying the UI on the client.
A disadvantage of Citrix MetaFrame is additional cost.
Figure 3 on page 15 is a network configuration utilizing Terminal Server Edition
with Citrix MetaFrame laptops dialing in as clients.