Microsoft SQL 2005, Terminal Services and Tiger

Question

We found a great application we need to use at work. Unfortunately, it runs only on Windows. We will need to run it on a Windows server, running SQL Server 2005, and Macs interacting with it using MS Terminal Server. At least that is what someone at Dell said. This ends up being a huge and complicated purchase for us.
All this is totally foreign to me. I set up our Mac network, using OSX Server 10.2, migrating up to 10.4. We have 16 computers on the network, and it runs reasonably well. I did not need months of training to set it up. There are many things I do not understand and features that I have zero idea about...but for email, web, ftp and application serving, it works well.
We have 13 Macs, 2 Windows boxes and one UNIX box on the network.
Has anyone used SQL 2005? Has anyone had to connect thru Terminal Services to a Windows Server?

Answer 1

Hi John!
Using Terminal Services on a Windows server is common in corporate environments and solves a lot of issues where Macs can't run Windows-only software.
Since the Windows server will be the only Windows machine on your network and you only need it for a specialized purpose, you can probably get by with purchasing Windows Small Business Server Premium, which comes with a SQL Server. You'll have to ask the vendor if this version will work with their product. See this link on Microsoft's website http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/default.mspx.
Many third party database applications will facilitate the setup of the datbase with the SQL server, but they won't support the SQL software and its security. I'd advise hiring a contractor to help with the installation and setting up a backup (preferably someone that can become familiar with your environment and provide ongoing support).
Hope this helps! bill
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