I would like multiple users to remote into our network using Windows Remote desktop. Has any one done anything similar? What hardware would I need for 2-5 people working on the machine/server at the same time?
VM's on the cloud are not an option as we process a couple of TB of data, So having these locally are better. All the critical data is backed up to the cloud.
Check out :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_Desktop_Services
From there ask your IT support company/person what they would recommend as you need support to get it setup, configured, backed up and then upgraded. You will need on going support for issues that crop up.
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We are a 2 person startup. I am IT atm.
Why going so large when you are a start up?
Do you have a huge startup budget to be able to achieve this?
Five people using the same machine at the same time?
yes, its common for servers to have multiple VM's running at the same time
Yeah, multiple employers I've had had a remote desktop server (VM) running their ERP software. You'd remote onto the server and run the front-end from there. Back-end (database, etc) was running in another VM on the same host.
These may point you in the right direction:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/…
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remot…
The specific requirements may differ if you're running demanding software or servers in your environment but you would at least need something like this; that is Windows Server running Remote Desktop Services role. Whether you want to make things more secure with a 2FA method and a Remote Desktop Gateway configuration is up to you.
Linus Tech Tips did a whole video series on 6 user editing station. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8mG-RkN2uTwpl14QXfz0…
They also did a more scaled back version as well. https://youtu.be/LXOaCkbt4lI
Contact a local MSP that can help you set it up. There's so many variables that you've not posted its impossible to provide a recommendation.
Install a Hyper Visor > Setup 3 Server VMs with Server 2022 > AD, DNS, DHCP; APP/INFRA Server and then your Edge server. Install RD Gateway Role on your Edge and set it up to allow RD to your devices in your network, or VM's. Last time I've done this was about 1.5 Years ago.
You're also going to have to confirm what kind of power each of these VM's are going to need. What kind of data are you processing, you said TB's, but, is that all at once, or is that your total data set? Hows that data stored? etc. etc.
What will the users be using to work with the data? Are they analysing the whole dataset of just parts of it? How is the data stored?
Whatever solution you end up with, please don't end up "simply" exposing RDP to the wide open internet. Tunnel it through something like OpenVPN or Tailscale.
Your reason not to use cloud is not good enough.
Try again.
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