Windows MultiPoint Server 2011

Planning Guide
Document Version 1.0
March 2011

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URL and other Internet web site references, may change without notice. You bear the risk of
using it.
Some examples depicted herein are provided for illustration only and are fictitious. No real
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You may modify this document for your internal, reference purposes.
2011 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Microsoft, Windows, and MultiPoint Server are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.
All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Contents
Copyright Notice.......................................................................................................................... 2
Contents ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Introducing MultiPoint Server.......................................................................................................... 4
Selecting Hardware for your MultiPoint Server system ................................................................... 5
Selecting a Host Computer for a MultiPoint Server System ........................................................ 6
Selecting a CPU .......................................................................................................................... 6
Selecting Hardware Components to Build Your MultiPoint Server System ................................. 6
Hardware Requirements and Performance Recommendations.................................................... 10
Optimize MultiPoint Server System Performance ..................................................................... 10
Capacity Planning for MultiPoint Server ....................................................................................... 12
MultiPoint Server Site Planning .................................................................................................... 13
Suggested MultiPoint Server System Layouts .......................................................................... 14
MultiPoint Server Virtualization Support .................................................................................... 17
Microsoft RemoteFX ................................................................................................................. 17
MultiPoint Server Stations ............................................................................................................ 17
Direct Video Connected Stations .............................................................................................. 18
USB Connected Stations........................................................................................................... 19
LAN Connected Stations ........................................................................................................... 20
Network Considerations and User Accounts ................................................................................ 21
Single MultiPoint Server System with Local User Accounts ...................................................... 22
Multiple MultiPoint Server Systems with Local User Accounts .................................................. 22
Multiple MultiPoint Server Systems with Domain Accounts....................................................... 23
Storing Files with MultiPoint Server .............................................................................................. 23
Pre-Deployment Checklist ............................................................................................................ 24
Glossary ....................................................................................................................................... 25

Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Planning Guide

Introducing MultiPoint Server

Welcome to the Planning Guide for Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Standard and
Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Premium. Unless otherwise noted, all references to
MultiPoint Server refer to both versions.
To download this document, see the Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Server Planning Guide
(http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=211307).
MultiPoint Server enables multiple stations (terms shown in italics are defined in the Glossary) to
be connected to one computer. Multiple users can then share the computer at the same time.
There are three ways stations can connect to the computer running MultiPoint Server: directly to
video ports on the computer, via USB hubs, and over the local area network (LAN). Each of these
is described more fully in the MultiPoint Server Stations section below.
USB connected stations consist of a station hub, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. MultiPoint
Server includes the MultiPoint Manager application, which helps you, as an administrative user,
to monitor and manage MultiPoint Server stations.
This document addresses factors to be considered when planning to deploy Windows
MultiPoint Server 2011 Standard or Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Premium.
The considerations addressed in this document include the following:
Hardware Requirements and Performance Recommendations
What hardware is required to install the MultiPoint Server operating system?
Selecting Hardware for your MultiPoint Server system
What hardware decisions should you make?
Capacity Planning for MultiPoint Server
How many computers running MultiPoint Server and stations will be required?
Site Planning
Where will the computer(s) running MultiPoint Server and their stations be located, and how
will they be configured?
MultiPoint Server Stations
What system components will be required, and what other components might be used?
Network Considerations and User Accounts
The networking environment into which the MultiPoint Server system is deployed can affect
how user accounts are managed. What is your networking environment? How will user
accounts and files be managed?
Storing Files with MultiPoint Server
Where will user files be stored, and how will they be accessed?
Pre-Deployment Checklist
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Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Planning Guide

For more detail about each of these areas of consideration, see the specified section.

Selecting Hardware for your MultiPoint

Server system
When you build a MultiPoint Server system, you should select a computer that meets the system
requirements for a computer in a MultiPoint Server system. If you are deciding which components
to select, keep the following considerations in mind:

The target price range of your complete solution.

The types of usage scenarios your customer might expect for the MultiPoint Server
system, such as whether the users are running multimedia programs, using word
processing or productivity programs, or browsing the Internet, which have larger
processing demands.

The number of users who could be using the system at the same time. If you plan to have
many users on your system at the same time, or users who use system-intensive
programs, you should plan for more computing power for your system.

The purchasing and support arrangements that your organization has with hardware
providers, if applicable.

A MultiPoint Server system would typically include the following components:

One computer that is running MultiPoint Server, which includes RAM, hard disk drives,
and video cards.

A monitor, station hub, keyboard, and mouse for each station.

Optional peripheral devices for the MultiPoint Server station, including speakers,
headphones, or microphones that are available to the user of the station.

Optional peripheral devices that are available to all users of the MultiPoint Server system,
including printers, external hard disk drives, USB storage devices.

The following sections in this document provide detailed information about each of the following
hardware decisions that you can make, including the following:

Selecting a host computer for a MultiPoint Server system, as described in the Selecting a
Host Computer for a MultiPoint Server System section.

Selecting a CPU for a MultiPoint Server system, as described in the Selecting a CPU
section.

Selecting individual hardware components for a MultiPoint Server system, as described

in the Selecting Hardware Components to Build Your MultiPoint Server System section.

There are some hardware components that might require additional configuration if you choose to
use them. These devices and the configuration requirements are described in the Special
Hardware Configuration Requirements section.

Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Planning Guide

Selecting a Host Computer for a MultiPoint Server

System
Please contact your preferred computer solution vendor for information about MultiPoint Serverbased solutions that meet the system requirements for a computer that is running MultiPoint
Server. See the Selecting a CPU section for more information about how to select a CPU that can
handle your processing requirements.
You can then select the hardware components that you want to use with your MultiPoint Server
system, as described in the Selecting Hardware Components to Build Your MultiPoint Server
System section.

Selecting a CPU
A MultiPoint Server system is a multiple-user environment, with all users connected to a single
host computer. This increases the CPU usage because all users share the same computer.
Some tasks, such as multimedia programs (for example, Adobe Flash Player or video-editing
software), have larger processing demands. Therefore, make sure to select a CPU that can
handle the processing requirements for the number of users and types of user scenarios that it
will need to support.
There are 2 types of processors that have been tested on a MultiPoint Server system:

Dual-core processor: This type of processor can support up to four stations that are being
used with high processing demand programs, such as multimedia programs.

Quad-core processor: This type of processor can support up to six stations that are being
used with high processing demand programs, such as multimedia programs.

MultiPoint Server requires an x64-based CPU, and must meet the system requirements for the
computer as described in the Hardware Requirements and Performance Recommendations
section in this document.
With this information, select a CPU that meets the processing requirements for your MultiPoint
Server system.

Selecting Hardware Components to Build Your

MultiPoint Server System
If you plan to select individual components to build your MultiPoint Server system, there are
several things to consider when you are making your selection:

The types of programs that you plan to install, such as multimedia programs or word
processing programs. Some programs require more resources to run on the system.

The number of users who could be using the system at the same time.

The different components discussed in this section include the following:

Video hardware
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Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Planning Guide

MultiPoint Server station hardware, such as the following:

o

USB hubs

Multifunction hubs

Keyboards and mouse devices

Monitors

Other peripheral devices, such as the following:

o

Audio peripheral devices, such as speakers and headphones

Microphones

USB mass storage devices

Web cameras

When you have selected the hardware components for your MultiPoint Server system, make sure
that you obtain current, updated drivers for the components to make sure that they work correctly
when they are connected to the MultiPoint Server system.
The following sections provide more detailed information to help you select the different
components for your MultiPoint Server system.

Selecting Video Hardware

The video hardware that you select should support the number of monitors that you will require
for the number of users you intend to have working at MultiPoint Server stations. In addition,
different types of video hardware can provide a higher-performance solution for graphicsintensive programs, such as multimedia content.
Video hardware options include the following:

Internal video cards that use PCI or PCIe

External video controllers connected by USB

Select the video hardware that can support the maximum number of monitors for the type of
performance that your MultiPoint Server system requires. Make sure that you validate the
performance of the video hardware that you choose to ensure that it meets your performance
requirements.
Note
You must install a video driver that supports extending your desktop across multiple monitors.
The following sections describe the capabilities of each of these video hardware types.

Internal Video Cards

An internal video card is plugged into the motherboard on the computer. The internal video card
is a solution that can help the performance of graphics-intensive multimedia programs. However,
an internal video card requires an available PCI or PCIe slot to plug into the motherboard. Many
high-performance video cards require a PCIe slot, but there are a limited number of PCIe slots on
a motherboard. You should know what kind of video card slots are available on your computer so
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Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Planning Guide

that you can purchase the correct type of video cards for your computer. Because the video card
typically supports a maximum of two monitors, this limits the number of monitors that can be
connected.
When you are selecting internal graphics cards, select video cards that support the number of
monitors that you need to plug in. The maximum number of monitors that can be supported is
equal to the number of internal video cards that are plugged into the motherboard multiplied by
the number of monitor outputs on each of those video cards. For example, if you had two internal
video cards and each card had two monitor outputs, you could support up to four monitors.
The connections on the motherboard that you select should match the connections on the video
card. A PCI-Express 2.0 x8 or x16 standard video card can provide better performance for
multimedia programs.

External Video Controllers

An external video controller is typically packaged as a USB hub or multifunction hub that contains
a video controller. The USB hub or multifunction hub might also include connections for
headphones, speakers, a microphone, or other peripheral devices.
Select an external video controller if you want to enable support for additional monitors without
opening the computer, or if you want to support more stations than fit into the motherboard. For
example, if you previously had four monitors plugged into internal video cards, and you want to
add two more monitors, you can plug two external video controllers into the computer and have
room for two more monitors. In this manner, you can combine a USB hub or multifunction hub
with the video controller and not use additional PCI or PCIe slots on the motherboard.
In summary, you can combine internal video cards and external video controllers to create the
system that you want.

Selecting MultiPoint Server Station Devices

A MultiPoint Server station consists of a station hub with a keyboard and mouse plugged into the
hub, and a monitor that is either plugged into the host computer, or into the hub if it contains a
video output. Other peripheral devices can be plugged into the station hub, but are not required to
create a MultiPoint Server station. These other peripheral devices are described in the Selecting
Other Station Peripheral Devices section.
The devices that you select to create a MultiPoint Server station should meet minimum
requirements in order to work with MultiPoint Server. Details about the requirements for the
following MultiPoint Server station devices are provided in this section:

USB hubs

Multifunction hubs

Keyboards and mice

Monitors

Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Planning Guide

Selecting USB Hubs

The USB hub used as a station hub in a MultiPoint Server system can be a generic multiport USB
expansion hub that conforms to the Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, or later, specification. Such
hubs typically have two, four, or more USB ports and allow multiple USB devices to be connected
to a single USB port on the computer. The USB hub can be externally powered or unpowered.
The USB hubs that you use to connect your peripheral devices into the MultiPoint Server station
should meet the following requirements:

They should support USB 2.0.

There should be one USB hub for each MultiPoint Server station.

An additional consideration is the use of a powered hub, instead of a non-powered hub. With a
non-powered hub, the amount of current provided by the host computer must be sufficient to
provide power to all peripheral devices plugged into the hub without degrading system
performance. A powered hub allows you to connect more peripheral devices and provide
sufficient power to all of them.

Selecting Multifunction Hubs

A multifunction hub is an expansion hub that plugs into a USB port on the computer, and enables
the connection of a variety of both USB and non-USB devices to the hub, depending on the
device. Multifunction hubs are produced by specific hardware manufacturers and may require the
installation of a device-specific driver.
If you use a multifunction hub to connect your peripheral devices into the MultiPoint Server
station, there should be one multifunction hub for each MultiPoint Server station.
Multifunction hubs frequently contain a video output that you can use to maximize the number of
stations that you can provide. For more information using these station hubs with a video output,
see the Selecting Video Hardware section in this document.

Selecting Keyboards and Mouse Devices

The keyboards and mouse devices that you provide and plug into the MultiPoint Server station
should use a USB to connect to the station hub, unless the station hub provides PS2 ports. In that
case, the keyboards and mouse devices should use PS2 to connect to the station hub.
A minimum of one keyboard and one mouse is recommended for a MultiPoint Server station.

Selecting Monitors
There should be one monitor provided for each MultiPoint Server station. Monitors are either
plugged into the video card on the host computer, or they are plugged into the station hub, if it
contains a video output.
The display size of the monitor can impact the performance of your MultiPoint Server system. We
recommend a display size of 1280 1024 or similar.

Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Planning Guide

Selecting Other Station Peripheral Devices

A USB hub or multifunction hub can support keyboards, mouse devices, and audio devices on a
single station, and can also support other peripheral devices that are available to all users on the
MultiPoint Server system.
We recommend that the following peripheral devices plug into the station by using USB to
connect to the station hub in order to work correctly with MultiPoint Server:

Audio peripheral devices such as speakers and headphones

Microphones

USB mass storage devices, such as USB flash drives, external hard disk drives, and
digital cameras that provide access to photo storage as a mass storage device

Web cameras that include both image acquisition and audio input

Special Hardware Configuration Requirements

Some hardware components require additional configuration after you install MultiPoint Server, if
you choose to use them. These hardware components and their configuration requirements are
described in the following sections.

Enable Wireless NICs

A wireless network interface card (NIC) is disabled by default in MultiPoint Server. If you choose
to install a wireless NIC in the computer running MultiPoint Server, you must install and, if
necessary, enable the Wireless Local Area Network (LAN) service to allow the wireless NIC to
work in your computer running MultiPoint Server. For information about installing and enabling
the Wireless LAN service, see the TechNet article at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=182906.

Hardware Requirements and Performance

Recommendations
This topic describes the hardware required to install the MultiPoint Server operating system and
how MultiPoint Servers are directly affected by the capability of the CPU, the amount of RAM,
and the amount of available bandwidth.

Optimize MultiPoint Server System Performance

The performance of your MultiPoint Server system will be directly affected by the capability of the
CPU and GPU and the amount of RAM available on the computer that is running MultiPoint
Server. For remote stations, the network bandwidth and the capability of the thin client is
important, particularly if video is running in the users session. The types of software and the
Internet content accessed will also affect the systems performance. For example, if a computer
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that is running MultiPoint Server is used to run productivity software, such as word processing,
spreadsheet, and e-mail, or to access Web sites that do not require full-motion videos, more
stations can be connected without a significant effect on performance. However, if the computer
that is running MultiPoint Server is used to access multimedia content or Web pages that use fullmotion videos, fewer stations can be connected before affecting performance.
To achieve good performance with your MultiPoint Server system under various loads, use the
guidelines in the following table when you are planning and testing your system:
Table 1: Minimum recommended hardware.
Application

Up to 4

5-6

7-10

11-14

15-20

scenario

stations

stations

stations

stations

stations

Productivity

CPU: 2C1

CPU: 2C

CPU: 4C1

CPU: 4C

CPU: 4C+MT or
6C1

RAM: 2GB

RAM: 4GB

RAM: 6GB

RAM: 8GB

RAM: 8 GB

CPU: 2C

CPU: 2C

CPU: 4C

CPU: 4C+MT
or 6C1

CPU: 4C+MT or
6C

RAM: 2GB

RAM: 4GB

RAM: 6GB

RAM: 8GB

RAM: 8 GB

Video intensive2

CPU: 2C

CPU: 4C

Productivity plus:
Frequent video
use by all users

CPU: 4C+MT
or 6C

CPU: 4C+MT or
8C

RAM: 2GB

RAM: 4GB

CPU:
4C+MT or
6C

RAM: 8GB

RAM: 8 GB

Office, Web
browsing, line-ofbusiness
applications
Mixed
Productivity plus:
Occasional video
use by some
users

RAM: 6GB

Thin Client:
RemoteFX3
USB video not
recommended

Notes
1
2C = 2 cores, 4C = 4 cores, 6C = 6 cores, MT = Multi-threading. Processor speed
should be at least 2.0 gigahertz (GHz).
2

Video testing was performed using 360p H.264 video at its native resolution.

RemoteFX, or equivalent technology for RDP, is required when 15 20 remotely

connected thin clients running full motion video within their session. For more information
about hardware requirements for RemoteFX, see Hardware Considerations for
RemoteFX (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=211310).
Note
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Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Planning Guide

These are the basic requirements for MultiPoint Server. Actual requirements will vary
based on your system configuration, the programs and features that you decide to install,
the number of users and how the system is used.
The actual configuration sizing depends on the workload you are running and the hardware
capability. You should always validate the sizing using your own applications and hardware.
For more information about choosing the best MultiPoint Server hardware for your needs, contact
your hardware vendor.

Capacity Planning for MultiPoint Server

Before you deploy Windows MultiPoint Server 2011, consider the number of individual stations
and servers you will require. The capacity requirements of a given computer that is running
MultiPoint Server will have a direct impact on all aspects of the deployment, from general room
layout to cabling and power requirements. Consider the following factors:

Number of users who will access the system at the same time

Software applications and content, such as streaming video from the Internet, that will be
used

Files with which users will work

Network usage

Site planning

Number of Users, Stations, and Computers running MultiPoint

Server
The number of stations you will need depends on the number of people who will have to access
the computer running MultiPoint Server at the same time. Similarly, the number of computers
running MultiPoint Server you will need depends on the total number of stations required. A single
computer running Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Standard can support one primary station and
up to 10 standard stations. A single computer running Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Premium
can support one primary station and up to 20 standard stations.
Any MultiPoint Server station monitor that has a resolution greater than 1024x768 can be split
into two station screens using the split screen task on the Stations tab in MultiPoint Manager. The
screen that is present on the monitor at the time that the split occurs moves to the left half of the
monitor, and a new stations screen is created on the right half of the same monitor. The new
station screen must be mapped to a keyboard, mouse, and USB hub to complete the creation of
the new station. After a station is split, one user can log on to the left station while another user
logs on to the right station.
New in Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 is the ability to connect from client machines (desktop
PCs, laptops, thin clients, etc.) using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) via a local area network
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(LAN). For capacity planning purposes, RDP connections are equivalent to standard station
connections. We will examine the differences between these two connection methods in the
MultiPoint Server Stations section below.

MultiPoint Server Site Planning

The location where one or more computers running MultiPoint Server and its associated stations
will be deployed can have a significant impact on the quality of the users experience and the
relative ease of configuring and managing the MultiPoint Server system.
A unique station hub is required for each USB 2.0 connected standard station. And each
MultiPoint Server supports only one level of intermediate hubs between the computer and station
hubs. The maximum distance from the server to a station hub is 10 meters. If longer distances
are required, powered USB extenders can be used between hubs. Alternatively, rich or thin client
computers can be used to connect to the computer running MultiPoint Server via the local area
network (LAN).
The computer running MultiPoint Server should have convenient access to a power supply and to
any peripheral devices that are connected directly to it, such as a printer. Additionally, the
computer running MultiPoint Server must have convenient access to a network connection. A
network connection is required for accessing both the Internet and, where available, a LAN.
Additional factors to consider include the following:

Will the MultiPoint Server system be set up in a specific room? Or, will it be set up on a
rolling cart or table, so that it can be moved from place to place?
Note
If you plan this kind of mobile setup, you can associate the stations with MultiPoint
Server every time you reconnect them to make sure that each keyboard and mouse
is associated with the appropriate monitor.

Will the primary station be located next to the other stations, or will it be separate? For
example, if the MultiPoint Server system is set up in a classroom, will the primary station
be on the teachers desk; whereas, the standard stations will be positioned elsewhere in
the room?

How many stations will fit in the room?

Are there enough network connections in the room to support the required number of
computers running MultiPoint Server?

Where are the power outlets located?

Will you need an additional display device, such as a projector? If you plan to use a
projector, will it hang from the ceiling, or will it be positioned on a table?

What kind of cables will be required, and how many will be needed?

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Suggested MultiPoint Server System Layouts

Depending on the available furniture, the size of the room, and the number of computers running
MultiPoint Server and stations in the room, there are a variety of ways that the physical stations
can be arranged. The following diagrams illustrate five possible alternatives.
Note
Some of these diagrams show a projector connected to the MultiPoint Server system.
This is only an example; including a projector in a MultiPoint Server system is optional.
Computer Lab. In this setup, the stations are arranged around the walls of the room, with the
students facing the walls.

Groups. In this setup, there are three computers running MultiPoint Server with stations clustered
around each of the computers.

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Lecture Room. In this setup, the stations are set up in rows. An advantage of this setup is that all
of the students face the instructor.

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Activity Center. This setup consists of a traditional lecture-room layout for the desks and a single
computer running MultiPoint Server and its associated stations.

Small Business Office. In this setup, the computer running MultiPoint Server is placed in a
central location and users throughout the office connect using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
sessions via a local area network (LAN).

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Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Planning Guide

MultiPoint Server Virtualization Support

MultiPoint Server Premium supports Microsoft Hyper-V virtualization in two ways. MultiPoint
Server Premium can be deployed as a guest operating system running on a Hyper-V host server.
When running MultiPoint Server in a virtual machine, only Remote Desktop (RDP) connections
are supported, and not USB connected stations (see the following section for more information on
stations).
Alternatively, the Premium edition can itself be a Hyper-V host used to run virtual machines. For
more information about Microsoft virtualization, see Hyper-V in Windows Server 2008 and
Windows Server 2008 R2 (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=211308).
Note
MultiPoint Server Standard does not support virtualization as a host or guest operation
system.

Microsoft RemoteFX
MultiPoint Server takes advantage of Microsoft RemoteFX, a new feature included in Windows
Server 2008 R2 with Service Pack 1 (SP1). It introduces a set of end-user experience
enhancements for Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) that enable a rich desktop environment within
your network environment.
Microsoft RemoteFX enables the delivery of a full Windows user experience to a range of client
devices including rich clients, thin clients, and ultrathin clients. RemoteFX delivers a rich user
experience in a MultiPoint Server environment by providing improved codec support that assists
in the delivery of high-definition multimedia content. RemoteFX is integrated with the RDP
protocol, which enables shared encryption, authentication, management, and device support.
New functionality provided by RemoteFX in Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 includes an
improved encode/decode pipeline which provides:

Ultrathin client support

Richer user experience

Increased host scale

For more information on RemoteFX, see Microsoft RemoteFX

(http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=211309).

MultiPoint Server Stations

In a MultiPoint Server system environment, stations are the user endpoints for connecting to the
computer running MultiPoint Server. Three station types are supported: direct video connections,
USB connections, and LAN connections for rich or thin client machines. For direct video and USB
connections, a station is a collection of hardware that consists of the following components:

USB or multifunction station hub

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Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Planning Guide

Monitor

Keyboard

Mouse

Other peripheral devices, such as speakers, headphones, or USB flash drives may also be
connected to a station hub.
For rich client machines (desktop PCs, laptops), as well as thin clients and ultrathin clients, the
station hardware is the machine itself and other peripheral devices that are attached to it.
Additionally, there are two types of stations, primary and standard stations.

Primary and Standard Stations

Both the primary station and the standard stations are usually defined immediately after you
install MultiPoint Server. Every MultiPoint Server system must have a primary station and one or
more standard stations. The primary station is the one which displays the startup process when
the computer is turned on. The monitor of the primary station must be connected directly to a
video port on the computer that is running MultiPoint Server, for example, by a DVI or VGA cable.
In contrast, standard stations can have monitors connected directly to the video ports on the
computer, can be connected through USB video devices, or can be rich or thin clients connected
via the LAN.

Direct Video Connected Stations

The computer running MultiPoint Server can contain multiple video cards, each of which can have
one or more video ports. This allows monitors for multiple stations to be plugged directly into the
computer. Keyboards and mice are then connected via USB hubs or directly to the computer and
are associated with each monitor using the MultiPoint Manager console.

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MultiPoint Server system with direct video connections

USB Connected Stations

A station hub is a hardware device that can be used to connect peripheral devices to a computer
in a MultiPoint Server system. Both USB hubs and multifunction hubs can be used as station
hubs.
A USB hub in this context is a generic multiport USB expansion hub that complies with the
universal serial bus (USB) specifications. Such hubs typically have two, four, or more USB ports
that enable multiple USB devices to be connected to a single USB port on the computer. USB
hubs are typically separate devices that may be externally powered or unpowered. Some other
devices, such as some keyboards and video monitors, may also incorporate a USB hub into their
design.
Note
Only USB 2.0-compliant hubs are supported by MultiPoint Server.
A multifunction hub is an expansion hub that connects to the computer via a USB port and
enables the connection of a variety of non-USB devices to the hub. Multifunction USB hubs must
be USB 2.0-compliant.
The following diagram shows a MultiPoint Server system with a primary station and two additional
stations. In this diagram, the monitor of the primary station is connected directly to the MultiPoint
Server computer by a DVI cable, and the monitors, keyboards, and mice of the standard stations
are connected to multifunction USB hubs.

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MultiPoint Server system with USB multifunction hub connections

Additional Information about USB Devices

With the exception of station hubs, MultiPoint Server will support any USB 2.0 device connected
either to a station hub or directly to the computer. Most of these devices, such as a printer,
camera, and so on, will be available from any station. However, when any of the following USB
devices is connected to a station hub, it will automatically be associated with that particular
station:

Keyboards

Mice

Speakers

Headphones

USB flash drives

LAN Connected Stations

Thin clients, ultrathin clients, and traditional desktop and laptop PCs can connect to the computer
running MultiPoint Server using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) via the local area network
(LAN). RDP connections provide an end user experience that is very similar to using a monitor,
keyboard, and mouse connected directly to the computer running MultiPoint Server through a
station hub, but makes use of the local client machines own hardware.
Microsoft RemoteFX enabled clients and devices can provide a rich multimedia experience by
taking advantage of the processor and video hardware capabilities of the computer running
MultiPoint Server to deliver high-definition video.

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From a deployment and administration perspective, there are some differences when using the
MultiPoint Manager console:

Not limited to physical USB connection distances

Potential to reuse older PC hardware as stations

Easier to scale to a higher number of stations

No hardware trouble-shooting

No split-screen functionality

Fewer options for controlling the station

MultiPoint Server system with LAN connections

Network Considerations and User Accounts

MultiPoint Server can be deployed in a variety of network environments, and it can support both
local user accounts and domain user accounts. Generally, MultiPoint Server user accounts will be
managed in one of the following network environments:

A single computer running MultiPoint Server with its own local user accounts

Multiple computers running MultiPoint Server, each with its own local user accounts

Multiple computers running MultiPoint Server, using domain user accounts (this scenario
is only available when using the Premium edition).

By definition, local user accounts can only be accessed from the computer on which they were
created. In contrast, Domain user accounts are user accounts that reside on a domain controller
and can be accessed from any computer connected to the domain. When deciding which type of
network environment to use, some things to consider include the following:

Will resources be shared among servers?

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Will users access database servers which require authentication?

Will users access internal web servers which require authentication?

Is there an existing Active Directory domain infrastructure in place?

This section addresses user account management in these networking environments.

Single MultiPoint Server System with Local User

Accounts
In environments with a single computer running MultiPoint Server, there is no requirement to
have a network. However, in order to take advantage of Internet resources, the networking
requirements may be as basic as a router and a connection to an Internet service provider (ISP).
Network connections associated with a network adapter on MultiPoint Server are configured, by
default, to obtain an IP address and DNS server address automatically via DHCP. Internet routers
are typically configured as DHCP servers, providing private IP addresses to computers that
connect to them on the internal network. Therefore, a single computer running MultiPoint Server
may be able to connect to the internal interface of the router, obtain automatic IP information, and
connect to the Internet, all without significant effort or configuration.
A common way to manage users in this kind of environment is to create a local user account for
each person who will access the system. Local user accounts are user accounts which are
created on a specific computer running MultiPoint Server. Anyone who has a user account on
that computer can log on to MultiPoint Server from any station associated with it. Local user
accounts can be created and managed from the MultiPoint Manager.

Multiple MultiPoint Server Systems with Local

User Accounts
Given that local user accounts are only accessible from the computer on which they were
created, when you deploy multiple MultiPoint Server systems in an environment, you can manage
local user accounts in one of two ways: You can create user accounts for specific individuals on
specific computers running MultiPoint Server, or you can use MultiPoint Manager to create
accounts for every user on every computer running MultiPoint Server.
For example, if you plan to assign users to a specific computer running MultiPoint Server, you
might create four local user accounts on Computer A (user01, user02, user03, and user04) and
four local user accounts on Computer B (user05, user06, user07, and user08). However, whereas
users 01-04 can log on to Computer A from any station that is connected to it, they cannot log on
to Computer B. The same is true for users 05-08, who would only be able to log on to Computer
B, but not Computer A. Depending on the specific deployment environment, this may be
acceptable or even desirable.
However, if every user must be able to log on to any of the computers running MultiPoint Server,
a local user account must be created for each user on each computer that is running MultiPoint
Server. Choosing to manage users in this manner introduces certain complexities. For example, if
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user01 logs on to Computer A on Monday and saves a file in his or her Documents folder, and
then logs on to Computer B on Tuesday, he or she will not be able to access the file saved in the
Documents folder on Computer A the day before.
Note that creating local accounts for each user on every computer running MultiPoint Server
involves additional complications. For example, if a person has a user account on both Computer
A and Computer B, there is no way to automatically synchronize the passwords for each account.
This can result in users having difficulty logging on should the account password be changed on
one computer, but not on all of them. You can simplify user account management in this kind of
network environment by assigning each user to a single computer that is running MultiPoint
Server. This way, the user can log on to any of the stations that are associated with that computer
and always have access to his or her files.

Multiple MultiPoint Server Systems with Domain

Accounts
Domain environments are common in large network environments that include multiple servers.
For example, you might join one or more computers running the Premium edition of MultiPoint
Server to a domain, and then use Microsoft Active Directory to manage user accounts that
can be accessed from any computer in the domain. This allows for individual domain user
accounts to be created and accessed from any station in any MultiPoint Server system which is
joined to the domain. Note that only the Premium edition of MultiPoint Server supports joining a
domain; the Standard edition of MultiPoint Server cannot join a domain.
When deploying MultiPoint Server in a domain environment, there are several factors to consider:

If domain accounts are used, they cannot be managed from MultiPoint Manager.

By default, MultiPoint Server is configured to give users permission to log on to only one
station at a time. If you decide to allow users to log on to multiple stations at the same
time using a single account, you can use the Edit Server Settings option in MultiPoint
Manager.

The location of domain controllers may affect the speed and reliability with which users
will be able to authenticate with the domain and locate resources.

Storing Files with MultiPoint Server

MultiPoint Server supports storing user files in the following ways:

On the operating system partition of the hard disk drive. By default, MultiPoint Server
stores user files on the hard disk drive, alongside the operating system.

On a separate partition of the hard disk drive. When the MultiPoint Server system is
set up for the first time, you can partition the hard disk drive. That is, you can configure a
section of the drive so that it functions as if it were a separate drive. This makes it easier
to restore or upgrade the operating system without affecting user files. For more
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information about how to partition a drive, see the TechNet article, Creating a partition or
logical drive at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=182618.

On an additional internal or external hard disk drive. You can attach additional
internal or external hard disk drives to MultiPoint Server.

On a shared network folder. To make user files available from any station, create a
shared folder on the network. Note that this requires another computer or server in
addition to the computer running MultiPoint Server. This is the recommended method for
storing files if there is a file server available.

Pre-Deployment Checklist
Use the following checklist to help you start to plan your MultiPoint Server deployment.
Step

Issue

Help topic

1.

Determine the number of users who are likely to

access, at the same time, each computer that is
running MultiPoint Server, and the number of
required computers that must run MultiPoint Server.

Capacity Planning for MultiPoint

Server

2.

Determine where your MultiPoint Server will be

Site Planning
located. Will it be set up in a single room, or will it be
set up so that it can be moved from one location to
another.

3.

Determine how the stations will be arranged.

Site Planning

4.

Verify proper power and network infrastructure.

Site Planning

5.

Understand the software applications and the web

content that will likely be accessed, and the impact
they will have on system performance and security.

Capacity Planning for MultiPoint

Server

6.

Determine the number and type of stations that will

be connected to the system.

MultiPoint Server Stations

7.

Analyze the network environment.

Network Considerations and

User Accounts

8.

Determine how user accounts will be implemented

and managed.

Network Considerations and

User Accounts

9.

Determine how user files will be shared and stored.

Network Considerations and

User Accounts

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Glossary
associate a station
To specify which monitor is used with which station and peripheral devices, such as a
keyboard and mouse. This can be done by pressing a specified key on the stations
keyboard when prompted to do so.

domain
A collection of computers in a networked environment that share a common database,
directory database, or tree. A domain is administered as a unit with common rules and
procedures, which can include security policies, and each domain has a unique name.

domain user account

A user account that is hosted on a domain controller. Domain user accounts can be
accessed from any computer that is connected to the domain and they are not tied to
any particular computer. See also, domain.

dual-core processor
A processing system composed of two independent CPUs integrated onto a single chip.

local user account

A user account on a specific computer. A local user account is available only on the
computer where the local account is defined.
multi-core processor
A processing system composed of two or more independent CPUs integrated onto a single chip.

multi-function hub
An expansion hub that connects to the computer via a USB port and enables the
connection of a variety of non-USB devices to the hub. Multi-function hubs are
produced by specific hardware manufacturers and may require the installation of a
device-specific driver. Multi-function hubs generally support connecting a video monitor
directly to the hub (via VGA, DVI, DisplayPort, etc.), a mouse and keyboard (either PS/2
or USB) and optionally audio connections and extra USB ports. The hub itself connects
to the computer by USB, and can be powered or unpowered. See also, USB hubs.
The following diagram shows an example of setting up a station with a multi-function
hub:

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MultiPoint Server
See Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Standard and Windows MultiPoint Server 2011
Premium.

MultiPoint Server system

A collection of hardware and software that consists of one computer that is running
MultiPoint Server and at least one MultiPoint Server station.
The following illustration shows one example layout of a MultiPoint Server system:

This illustration shows four stations, but as many as 10 associated standard stations are
supported with the Standard edition and up to 20 for the Premium edition. Both editions
also support one additional primary station.

partition
A section of space on a physical disk that functions as if it were a separate disk.

primary station
The station that is the first to startup when the MultiPoint Server system is turned on
and used for administration. When not being used by the administrator, it can be used
as a normal station (it does not have to be reserved exclusively for administration). The
monitor of the primary station must always be connected directly to a video port the
computer that is running MultiPoint Server. See also: station.

quad-core processor

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A processing system composed of four independent CPUs integrated onto a single chip.

socket

A receptacle on a PC motherboard into which a microprocessor is plugged. A socket-mounted

microprocessor, such as the Pentium, connects to the motherboard through numerous pins on
the underside.

standard station
In contrast to the primary station, which is used for administration, standard stations are
used by normal users to connect to and use the computer running MultiPoint Server.
See also: station.

station
User endpoint for connecting to the computer running MultiPoint Server. Three station
types are supported: direct video connections, USB connections, and LAN connections
for rich or thin client machines. For direct video and USB connections, a station consists
of a monitor, station hub, keyboard, mouse, and other peripheral devices that are
attached to that station hub. For more information about station hardware, see
MultiPoint Server Stations.

station hub
A hardware device that connects peripheral USB devices to a computer in a MultiPoint
Server system. A station hub is a required component of a station. See also: multifunction hubs and USB hubs.

USB hub
A generic multiport USB expansion hub that complies with the universal serial bus
(USB) 2.0 or later specifications. Such hubs typically have two, four, or more USB ports
that allow for multiple USB devices to be connected to a single USB port on the
computer. USB hubs are typically separate devices that may be externally powered or
unpowered. Some other devices, such as some keyboards and video monitors, may
also incorporate a USB hub into their design. When used as a station hub with
MultiPoint Server, we recommend that you use a maximum four-port hub. If you plan to
connect USB devices other than a keyboard and mouse to the hub, use an externally
powered hub for best performance. See also: multi-function hub.
The following illustration shows an example of setting up a station with a USB hub:

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Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Standard

A Windows product that enables multiple users to share one computer at the same
time. It gives each user an independent Windows computing experience. Also referred
to as MultiPoint Server.

Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Premium

A Windows product, designed for use in training and academic settings, which enables
multiple users to share one computer at the same time. It gives each user an
independent Windows computing experience. Also referred to as MultiPoint Server.

wireless network interface card (NIC)

An expansion card or other device used to provide network access to a computer or other device, such as
a printer.

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