Terminal Server: What It Is and How to Use It
Windows
15.04.2024
Reading time: 7 min
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Let's imagine a theoretical problem related to servicing work PCs. The company has an accounting department that employs about 20 people. Each employee needs their own workstation with a computer to perform work duties. Each computer must have a specific list of software installed to perform the job duties. Let us assume that in our theoretical accounting department, the list of programs for each employee is the same. How can you provide every employee with the hardware and software they need?
The first option is to purchase a personal PC for all accountants and install the necessary licensed software on it.
Another option is to create a terminal server, install the entire list of programs on it, and then provide employees with access to it. In this material, we will discuss what a terminal server is and how it can be used.
Typically, a terminal server is built on the Windows operating system. However, you can also create a Linux terminal server using the LTSP software. Deploy a cloud server on Hostman and install LTSP to run your terminal server on Linux.
What is a terminal server?
Let's turn to history, namely to the times when mainframes with terminals were used instead of PCs.
A mainframe is a supercomputer or computer with large computing resources. Mainframes are mainly used to process large amounts of information.
To work with mainframes, terminals are used. These are low-power computers whose task is to input and output information. Computing operations are performed on the mainframe, and the results are transmitted to the terminal. Several terminals can be connected to one mainframe: the more powerful the mainframe, the more of them. Each terminal is allocated its own processor time, during which the mainframe performs calculations for that terminal. Due to the mainframe's high performance and low CPU time, many users can work with it simultaneously without affecting performance.
A terminal server is a shared server or cluster of servers used remotely by end users. In simple terms, it is a high-performance computer that several people use at the same time. The concept is similar to the mainframe, except that mainframe workloads were primarily limited to complex tasks. A terminal server is usually used for everyday tasks, such as servicing the accounting department.
Thin clients, computers whose computing power is limited to performing I/O operations, are used to connect to the terminal server.
There are dedicated devices for use as a thin client, but any home computer will also work.
Architecture of terminal servers
The architecture of a standard terminal server looks like this:
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a computing center on which the OS and necessary software are installed;
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licensing service or license server;
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OS;
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protocol for data exchange between the server and thin clients, for example, RDP;
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program for connecting thin clients.
An operating system common to all users is installed on the terminal server, as well as the programs that end users need. In order for users to connect to the terminal server, it is necessary to install and activate special licenses, we will talk about them further in this article.
Since the operating system is common for all users, you should be careful when choosing the software. User isolation is carried out at the session level using accounts. If an application crashes at the operating system level, it will crash on all clients.
Why do you need a terminal server?
Terminal Server is great for centralized hosting of company software and data. It's cheaper and easier to deploy, but it offers limited capabilities for isolating users from each other.
A terminal server would be a great option if:
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users do not need administrator rights;
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applications run smoothly.
In general, the decision to use such an infrastructure option must be made on the basis of its advantages and disadvantages in the context of the tasks facing it.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros:
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Remote access to resources, all you need is Internet access;
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User permissions management;
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Simple monitoring of the entire infrastructure;
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Applications are installed once and updated centrally;
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Reducing the cost of servicing end-user thin clients;
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Increasing the security of the IT infrastructure.
Cons:
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Concentration of all computing power and enterprise data on one node. failure of the computer center will lead to downtime;
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Errors in software and system configuration will affect all users;
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Limited choice of software.
Terminal Server Licensing
To create a terminal server on Windows Server OS, you need to purchase CAL licenses. There are two main types of CAL licensing:
- User license. A specific user can connect to the server from any device.
- Device license. Any number of users can work from one specific device.
Installing and configuring a terminal server
Let’s see how to install and configure a terminal server in Windows Server.
Choosing equipment
When choosing equipment, start with two parameters:
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number of clients;
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system requirements of the applications that you plan to deploy.
Next, computing resources and disk space should be considered, including the resources the system will need. For example, if the task is to create an infrastructure with 20 potential users, then you will need approximately the following characteristics:
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Processor - Xeon E5 and higher;
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RAM - from 32 GB (1 GB per user, 6 GB for the OS, and 6 GB as a reserve.
Creating a RAID array and providing an uninterruptible power supply is also highly recommended.
Installing Windows Server
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Download the Windows Server distribution and copy it to a USB drive.
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Set the BIOS to boot from your drive.
After launch, the installation of Windows Server will begin.
Basic operating system setup
Configure and check the following parameters:
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System time;
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IP address;
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Computer name;
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Firewall;
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OS update;
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Active Directory.
Step 1. Install Roles and Features
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In the Start menu, open Server Manager and run the "Add Roles and Features" procedure. During installation you must:
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Select the Role-based or feature-based installation type.
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Check the Remote desktop services box.
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In the next window, do not change anything and click Next.
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In the Role Services section, select Remote Desktop Licensing, Remote Desktop Session Host, and Remote Desktop Gateway.
At the end of the installation procedure, you need to click on "Promote this server to a domain controller".
Step 2. Setting up Active Directory
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Open the Active Directory Domain Services Configuration Wizard.
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Add a new forest.
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Create a password.
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Set the NetBIOS name.
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Click "Install".
After the installation, reboot the computer.
Step 3. Create a Reverse Lookup Zone
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Open DNS in Server Manager.
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Go to Reverse lookup zone -> Create new zone.
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Select Primary zone -> IPv4 Reverse lookup zone.
Step 4. DHCP
When adding roles and features, we have added the DHCP server role. If everything is done correctly, a warning will appear in Server Manager asking you to complete the DHCP configuration.
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Click on the link, specify the authorization details, and check the summary.
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Go back to the server manager, open DHCP and create a new scope.
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Specify the name and starting and ending IP addresses. If necessary, correct the subnet mask.
Step 5. Install Remote Desktop Services
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Click Add roles and components in the Server Manager again.
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Select the Remote Desktop Services installation type.
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Select Quick start.
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Select Session-based desktop deployment.
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Select the server and click Deploy.
Step 6. Setting up licenses
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Go to Tools - Remote Desktop Services and launch the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.
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Right-click on the server and select Activate server.
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During activation, click "Next" and uncheck "Run the license installation wizard."
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Return to the Server Manager → Remote Desktop Services → Collections
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in the top right click Tasks → Edit Deployment Properties.
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On the "Licensing" page, select the license type and server name.
Step 7. Install the license
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Open the Remote Desktop Services Diagnoser.
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Right-click on the server and select "Install license".
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Select the license program and enter the license data.
Conclusion
A terminal server is a powerful solution for centralized software hosting and organizing user access to this software. It can provide cost savings, energy efficiency, centralized management, and increased security for businesses and organizations. Users can access the software from anywhere, needing only an Internet connection.
Windows
15.04.2024
Reading time: 7 min
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Windows
How to Create and Use Batch Files
Batch files are text files with .BAT or .CMD extensions that store a set of commands and execute them in the operating system terminal. Such files are necessary to automate standard user work in Windows.
Batch files can be considered a Windows alternative to the Unix shell scripts which you would run on a Linux server.
This article will describe in detail how to create, configure and run bat files in Windows and which commands to use.
Prerequisites
An affordable cloud server from Hostman or a personal computer with the Windows operating system installed.
Notepad or another text editor. We recommend using editors with built-in syntax highlighting, for example, Notepad++.
Create a batch file
To create a Windows bat file, open any text editor and fill it with some content.
As an example, let's create a batch file that will display the message "Hello, user!" in the Command Prompt window:
@echo offecho Hello, user!pause
Now, you need to save the file using the .bat extension. To do this, go to File → Save as….
If you are using Notepad++, select Batch file in the Save as type field and enter the file name.
When using Notepad, select All files as the file type and enter your file name and extension.
If you saved the file with the wrong extension, it can be easily fixed by renaming the file and specifying the correct extension.
To do this, you need to enable showing file extensions in the Explorer's View tab.
Syntax of a batch file
Below is a list of basic rules that you need to know when using Windows bat scripting:
Each command must be entered on a new line.
The commands specified in the file are executed strictly in order, from first to last. The exception is those cases when a transition from one part to another is organized inside the file (for example, goto).
Indicate directories in quotes to minimize errors.
Add |Y| before commands that require confirmation (such as del or format).
You can use two types of commands: internal (built-in) and external. The first are the commands of the Command Prompt (cmd.exe) itself (we'll talk about them later). The second type includes all possible executable files (extensions .EXE, .CMD or .BAT).
Use @echo off at the beginning of the file to disable displaying the command line after running the batch file.
Run a batch file
To run a bat file in Windows, simply double-click on it.
It is worth considering that some batch files may contain commands that require administrator rights. In that case, right-click on the file and select Run as administrator.
However, if running the file implies some kind of system output, you should run it using the Command Prompt.
To launch the Command Prompt, press WIN+R, enter cmd in the input field, and press Enter. A command line window will open, into which you need to drag-and-drop the batch file and press Enter.
The batch file will begin executing commands and display the result.
Let's run the test file that we created in the previous step and look at the result. If everything works correctly, you will see the message from the file: "Hello, user!".
Automate .BAT files with Task Scheduler
A useful feature when working with batch files is the ability to run them at certain intervals. To implement this, you will need to use Task Scheduler, a built-in Windows tool.
Press WIN+R, enter taskschd.msc in the input field and press Enter.
Select Create Basic Task... in the Actions menu on the right.
After this, the Create Basic Task Wizard window will open, where you need to fill out four tabs:
Create a Basic Task. Enter the name and description of the task and click Next.
Trigger. Specify how often the batch file should be run and at what time.
Action. Select Start a program, click Next and specify the path to the batch file.
Finish. Check all entered data and click Finish.
The batch file is now added to the Windows schedule and will be run automatically according to your settings.
Add comments to batch files
When necessary, you can also add comments to .BAT files in Windows.
There are three ways to leave comments while writing a batch file:
rem. Enter the comment immediately after it:
rem your_comment_here
Double colon. Works similar to the rem command.
:: your_comment_here
goto. This one is used not only for commenting, but also for moving to another part of the batch file. After entering the command, indicate a label (in the example below it is start).
goto startyour_comment_here:start
Each comment must have its own unique tag.
Basic commands for .BAT files
Below are the main commands used when writing a batch file.
Command
Argument
Description
cd
Catalogue
Going to the specified directory (empty argument returns the current directory).
pause
-
Pausing a batch file.
start
File path/command
Executing the specified program or command in a separate window.
md
Catalogue
Creating a directory.
copy
Path to source files and destination directory
Copying one or more files to a specified directory.
del
File or directory name
Deleting one or more files.
call
Path to the file to run
Running a batch file from another batch file.
title
Title
Changing the window title.
move
Source and destination path to file/files
Moving one file or group of files from one directory to another.
color
Background and text color (set by number or letter)
Changing the background and text color
exit
-
Terminating the batch file.
This is not a complete list. To check all the commands, write help in the Command Prompt.
Variables
You can also use variables when writing a batch file.
To add a variable, use the set command. First, enter set, then the variable name, then its value. If you need to access a variable and read its value, add the % symbol on both sides of the variable name.
For example:
@echo offset example=Hello, user!echo %example%pause
Please note that there are no spaces before or after the equal sign, otherwise the program will not work.
When you run the batch file with this content, the system will output "Hello, user!".
Also, when declaring a variable, you can use the /a flag, which allows to assign a number to the variable. For example:
@echo offset /a example=2*3echo %example%pause
Without the flag, the entire string after the equal sign is assigned to the variable. When run, the program will output the number 6.
In addition to regular variables, there are argument variables. These variables are assigned values that are passed when the batch file is exported. They look like this: %1, %2, %3, etc.
Here's an example:
@echo off@echo First argument variables - : %1@echo Second argument variables - : %2@echo Third argument variables - : %3pause
When running this batch file, we will pass the string "Hello, user!" The result will be shown in the picture below.
Batch file example: removing unnecessary files
While working, we often end up with unnecessary files that need to be cleaned. A correctly written batch file does an excellent job of this.
Suppose you have a lot of .TXT files in a certain directory and its subdirectories that you no longer need. Let's create a simple batch file for this case:
@echo offdel /f /s /q C:\path_to_directory\Example\*.txt
Let's look at how each flag works:
/f allows you to delete all files (even the read-only ones).
/s allows you to delete files not only from the directory but also its subdirectories.
/q removes confirmation of file deletion.
Now, to test this batch file, let's create the Example directory and the ExampleWithTXT subdirectory, and then add three .TXT files to both:
mkdir Example
cd Example
mkdir ExampleWithTXT
notepad Example1.txt
notepad Example2.txt
notepad Example3.txt
cd ExampleWithTXT
copy C:\path_to_directory\Example\*.txt
Now, drag-and-drop the batch file to the Command Propmpt window and look at the result. The output must show that all six files were successfully removed from the Example directory and the ExampleWithTXT subdirectory.
Conclusion
In this guide, we described in detail how to create and use .BAT files in Windows and provided basic commands for working with them. Following this tutorial, you can create your first Windows bat script to automate working with the Windows OS.
If you want to know more, we prepared for you some instructions on how to create cloud server.
05 June 2025 · 7 min to read
Python
How to Install pip on Windows
pip is a utility that turns Python package installation and management into a straightforward task. From Python beginners to coding wizards, having this utility on your Windows computer is a true game-changer. It effortlessly facilitates the setup of crucial frameworks and libraries for your development needs. Automating package management with pip frees up your time and reduces the complications linked to manual installations.
Follow this guide to become proficient in configuring pip and overseeing your Python packages seamlessly.
pip Setup Process for Windows
Here are the guidelines to set up pip on a Windows machine.
Step 1: Confirm Installation
Verify Python is operational on your device before starting the pip setup. To carry out this operation, run command prompt and apply:
python --version
If Python's not present on your system, download it from the official site.
Step 2: Download get-pip.py
Python's standard installation package automatically includes pip. However, in case of accidental removal, grab the get-pip.py script.
You have a couple of options: either visit the pip.py webpage, or use the curl command for a quick install:
curl https://bootstrap.pypa.io/get-pip.py -o get-pip.py
Note: Installing Python again to get pip is also an option. However, it can sometimes lead to conflicts with other dependencies or settings. Your existing Python setup stays unchanged with this script.
Step 3: Run get-pip.py
Move to the script’s location through the command prompt and apply:
python get-pip.py
This will smoothly install pip on your device.
Step 4: Confirm pip Installation
Validate the installation by executing:
pip --version
Applying this command ensures pip is installed on the system.
Step 5: Add pip to System PATH
If the command doesn't execute properly, update your system PATH with these instructions to incorporate pip:
Access Properties by right-clicking on My Computer or This PC from the drop-down menu.
Opt for Advanced system settings.
Select Environment Variables.
Head over to System Variables, spot the Path variable, and choose Edit.
Insert the Python Scripts directory into your system PATH, for example, C:\Python39\Scripts.
Alternative Ways for pip Installation on Windows
Let's discuss a few other ways to effortlessly get pip running on Windows.
Via Built-in ensurepip Module
From Python 3.4 onward, there's an awesome built-in module named ensurepip. With this tool, pip installation is simplified, eliminating the need for the get-pip.py script.
Step 1: Run ensurepip
Input the command below to set up pip:
python -m ensurepip --default-pip
Step 2: Verify pip Installation
Check pip version through:
pip --version
Python Installer Approach for pip Installation
Ensure the pip checkbox is marked during the Python setup. Here's how:
Step 1: Download Installer
Fire up your favorite browser, go to the official Python website, and acquire the most recent installation file.
Step 2: Launch the Installer
Launch the installer you've downloaded and remember to pick the Add Python to PATH option while setting up.
Step 3: Install pip
While progressing through the setup, don't forget to enable the Install pip option.
Step 4: Validate pip is Installed
When the setup wraps up, check pip installation via:
pip --version
Adjusting pip Version: Upgrade or Downgrade
pip can be adjusted to suit your requirements by upgrading or downgrading. Here's how:
Upgrading pip
To give pip a fresh upgrade, execute:
python -m pip install --upgrade pip
Downgrading pip
To roll back pip, apply:
python -m pip install pip==<version>
Enter the desired version number to install instead of <version> (e.g., 21.0).
Resolving pip Installation Issues: Essential Commands
Let's discover common pip installation issues and their fixes:
Issue 1: "pip" is not recognized as an internal or external command
Solution: This implies the pip path isn't set in your system PATH. Simply follow the instructions in "Step 5" to fix this.
Issue 2: Permission Denied
Solution: Elevate your command prompt privileges by right-clicking the Command Prompt icon and choosing Run as administrator. Afterward, rerun the commands.
Issue 3: Missing Dependencies
Solution: Sometimes, you'll run into trouble because of missing dependencies. To correct this, manually install the essential dependencies with pip. For example:
pip install package_name
Swap out package_name for the appropriate dependency.
Utilizing Virtual Environments
Employing virtual environments keeps dependencies distinct and avoids any conflicts. Here's how to utilize a virtual environment with pip:
Creating a Virtual Environment
python -m venv env_name
Replace env_name with your desired environment name.
Initiating Your Virtual Environment
env_name\Scripts\activate
Standard pip Commands
To explore pip's usage, check these essential commands:
Installing a Package
pip install package_name
Modify package_name to accurately reflect the package you're aiming to install.
Uninstalling a Package
pip uninstall package_name
Showing Installed Packages
pip list
Showing Package Information
pip show package_name
Optimal Strategies for Package Management
Employ virtual environments to handle dependencies efficiently in multiple projects.
Regularly inspect and upgrade your packages to keep everything running smoothly.
Prepare requirements files to ease the management of dependencies in your projects.
Securing pip Installation
Ensuring the protection of packages handled by pip is critical. Here are some tips to keep your environment secure:
Maintain project isolation to avoid conflicts and secure installations.
Check the trustworthiness and verification of package sources before installing. Always refer to official repositories and examine reviews if they are available.
Consistently update pip and your packages to stay protected with the latest security patches and improvements.
Periodically review your dependencies for known vulnerabilities. Tools such as pip-audit can assist in identifying and resolving security concerns.
Adhere to secure coding standards and steer clear of deprecated or insecure packages.
Integrating pip with IDEs
pip can be effortlessly embedded into various Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), significantly boosting your development efficiency:
VS Code: Utilize the built-in terminal for direct pip command and package management within the editor.
PyCharm: Streamline package management by setting up pip configurations via the project interpreter. This simplifies the process of installing and managing packages customized to your project's specific needs.
Jupyter Notebook: Employ magic commands in the notebook interface for direct package installation. This provides a smooth and integrated experience for managing dependencies while you work on your interactive notebooks.
Conclusion
Windows offers several methods to set up pip, catering to different preferences and requirements. No matter if you select the .py script, use Python's built-in ensurepip module, or enable pip during the initial setup, these approaches will make sure pip is properly configured on your system. This all-in-one guide empowers you to handle and install Python packages with ease.
Don't forget, keeping pip updated is essential for ensuring the security and efficiency of your Python setup. Routinely check for updates and keep pip upgraded.
In addition, on our application platform you can find Python apps, such as Celery, Django, FastAPI and Flask.
15 January 2025 · 6 min to read
Python
How to Install Python on Windows 10
Python is a high-level programming language used by millions of programmers and developers. It is intuitive, offers many useful tools and libraries, and is essential for working with and analyzing large datasets. However, Python is not pre-installed on Windows operating systems. This guide will walk you through installing Python on Windows 10.
Which Version to Choose
There are two main versions of Python: Python 2 and Python 3, and they are patible.
Python 3 was released in 2008 to address issues found in Python 2. It offers more straightforward, intuitive syntax, a wide range of useful libraries (especially for data analysis), and a large community supports it.
Python 2 is no longer supported, unlike Python 3. Therefore, for new projects, you only need Python 3. However, if you need to work on projects written in Python 2, you might still need this version, so we will also explain how to install it.
How to Install Python 2
To install Python 2 on Windows 10:
Open your browser and go to the official website python.org.
Go to the Downloads section.
In the Downloads section, find the section for specific releases and locate the version you need.
The last Python 2 release is 2.7.18. Click on Download and check the related files.
For your operating system, download the 64-bit installer (it is the last file in the list).
Once the file is downloaded, open it.
Before starting the installation, the installer will allow you to choose the installation path and additional tools. Select the necessary options and start the installation.
How to Install Python 3 on Windows
There are several ways to install Python, each with its own features, advantages, and disadvantages:
Full Installation: Installs all components of Python, which is ideal for most projects.
Microsoft Store Installation: Suitable for development environments and running scripts.
NuGet Package Installation: Python comes as a ZIP file with the .nupkg extension, designed for continuous integration systems. It does not include the user interface. Ideal for building packages and running scripts.
Embeddable Package: Installs a minimal version of Python, often used as part of a larger application or project.
Full Installation Using the Official Installer
The steps for installing Python 3 from the official website are similar to those for Python 2. Here’s how to install Python 3 on Windows 10:
Open your browser and go to python.org.
Go to the Downloads section.
Click on Download Python x.x.x (the latest version).
Once you click it, the installer will start downloading.
After downloading, open the installer.
If Python 3 is already installed, the installer will offer to update it to the version you just downloaded. If Python is not installed, it will offer a fresh installation. Make sure to check the following options:
Installing for all users.
Add Python to PATH (this allows you to use Python from the command line).
There are two installation options:
Install now:
Administrator rights are not required.
Python will be installed in your user directory.
Standard libraries, test suites, a launcher, and pip will be installed.
Customize Installation:
May require administrator rights.
Python will be installed in the Program Files directory.
Additional features can be installed.
The Python standard library can be precompiled into bytecode.
Choose the option that suits you and start the installation. After it finishes, disable the MAX_PATH length limitation to avoid errors related to file path length.
To check if the installation was successful, run the command python --version in the command line. If everything went well, you should see an output like this:
Python 3.10.8
Python is now installed and ready to use.
Installing Python via Microsoft Store
To install Python from the Microsoft Store:
Open the Microsoft Store application.
In the search bar, type Python 3.x, specifying the version you want (e.g., "Python 3.10").
Click Get.
The download and installation will begin automatically.
Installing Python Using NuGet
To install Python on Windows via NuGet:
Go to the official website and navigate to the Downloads section. Select the recommended version and download it.
After opening the downloaded file, installation will take just a few seconds.
To install Python, open Windows PowerShell and run the following commands:
For the 64-bit version:
nuget.exe install python -ExcludeVersion -OutputDirectory
For the 32-bit version:
nuget.exe install pythonx86 -ExcludeVersion -OutputDirectory
Embeddable Package
The embeddable package provides a minimal Python environment. It is distributed as a ZIP file and is intended to integrate Python into larger applications. The embeddable package is not designed for direct user access.
You will have a fully isolated Python environment when extracted from the archive. It will be isolated from the user’s operating system, including environment variables (like PATH), the system registry, and any installed packages. The standard Python library is included in the embeddable package as compiled and optimized files. However, this version does not include a package manager (pip) or documentation.
You can download the embeddable package from the python.org website:
Go to the Downloads section.
Clicking on Download will download the regular version, so click the hyperlink for Python for Windows instead.
Click Latest Python 3 Release - Python x.x.x.
Scroll down to the Files section and choose one of the embeddable versions (for 64-bit or 32-bit systems).
Conclusion
This guide has covered various methods for installing Python on Windows 10. For more useful Python resources, you can explore our tutorials. If you want to build a web service using Python, you can rent a cloud server at competitive prices with Hostman.
18 October 2024 · 5 min to read
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