Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 - Common Questions and Answers Part 3 (Forum FAQs)
This is a summary of the Frequently Asked Questions on the Windows Multipoint Server forums. If your question is not answered, then feel free to post on our TechNet Forums (https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/windowsmultipointserver/threads) and ask there.
Q1. How do I license Windows Multipoint Server?
There are many available resources to help guide you in determining the best licensing set up for your Multipoint system. In summary, you will need a server license, plus server CALs and WMS CALs for each connection (station). It is possible to buy server CALs and WMS CALs separately or as combined CALs. When you buy the license for the server you will get a product key (not usually in paper form). That product key is used to activate the server and convert your evaluation copy to a fully-licensed product. When you buy CALs, the WMS CALs or combined CALs will be entered into the Add CAL wizard invoked from the Home tab of MultiPoint Manager. How you enter the CAL info depends on the channel you bought them through. It is very important to distinguish the activation product key from product keys that are on Certificate of Authenticity stickers on some multi-function hubs sold specifically for WMS.
For more information, you can check out any of the following links for further assistance:
https://www.youtube.com/msmultipoint#p/u/3/tftu_AqcCgI
https://www.microsoft.com/windows/multipoint/buy.aspx#tab2
Q2. Are teachers required to be administrators to use the WMS Manager?
Yes – at this time, due to the nature of the tasks that are found in the WMS manager, the teacher is required to have administrator privileges. This is because most of the functions/tasks available via the manager require admin rights from the OS. For example: For one user to be able to control the actions of another user account on the same box, you need admin permissions.
Q3. Can I manage multiple Windows Multipoint Server machines from one MultiPoint Manager?
Yes you can – the WMS 2011 console natively allows for connecting multiple servers. On the home tab, under General Tasks, click “Add or Remove Computers”. This will open a window that will show all of the Multipoint computers that can be managed from your station. Once you have selected the other servers, you can add them to the managed computers list, and all of the stations for each linked server will appear in the Stations tab. You can also check out this video for a step by step tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_x_8xVYePQ&feature=channel_video_title
Q4. Is there support for dual monitors for one station with WMS?
It depends on your type of station. MultiPoint 2011 supports essentially two different types of stations:
1) Locally Connected Stations -- those that plug directly into the machine either through direct connect or USB. These do not support multiple monitors per station.
2) Remotely Connected Stations -- those that connect to the machine as thin clients over the network via RDP. These stations DO support dual monitors, provided they are running the RDC client 7.1 or later.
Q5. I have issues with performance when I have all of my students go to certain web pages or run certain applications. What is the cause?
There could be several issues. Depending on the hardware that is being used for your system, you may be overextending the capabilities of your Multipoint computer and seeing a performance hit as a result. If the problem does not exist when only one or two users are on, this is a likely cause. If you are pushing the upper limit with regards to the number of stations attached to one machine, you may want to try disconnecting a station to see if the problem is resolved. Also, check the list of user-verified programs here to determine if other people have been able to run the application in question. If you are running Internet Explorer 9, you may need to disable the “Enable Hardware Acceleration” feature to prevent Flash videos from freezing.
Q6. Can I join WMS 2011 to a domain?
WMS 2011 Premium licenses are domain joinable; however, the standard licenses are not.
Q7. I want to develop a custom add-on for WMS. Is there anything out there to get me started?
First, check out this blog post: https://blogs.technet.com/b/multipointserver/archive/2011/03/31/life-just-got-easier-for-developers-isvs-ihvs-and-oems-to-create-windows-multipoint-server-2011-solutions.aspx to get information about developing add-ins for WMS 2011. You can also check out the SDK on MSDN by going here: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg513895.aspx. The site says that it's for Windows Home Server 2011, Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials, and Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials, but it will work for developing for Multipoint Server as well. It is also highly recommended that you download the trial version of WMS to test your add-on.
Q8. What kind of anti-virus software works with Windows Multipoint Server?
Some versions of Forefront Anti-Virus works with WMS. Other verified software includes: McAfee Virus Scan Enterprise v8.7i, Sophos AntiVirus 9.5+, SpyBot 1.6.2, Symantec Protection Suite Small Business, and Windows Defender 1593. You will need to choose an anti-virus program that runs on Windows Server. For a complete list of WMS compatible applications, including anti-virus software, you can check out the site here.
Q9. Can I remove the privacy notification that comes up when a user first logs on?
Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 does not enable removing the privacy notification at this time due to certain restrictions in some deployment situations.