Deploying Windows MultiPoint Server 2012

  • Article

 

Applies To: Windows MultiPoint Server 2012

This guide describes how to deploy a MultiPoint Server computer and stations, install and configure your system, set up user accounts, and perform some basic administration tasks, such as turning on Disk Protection and setting up backups, before you start using your system.

You can use this guide to deploy Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 Standard or Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 Premium. Unless otherwise noted, all references to MultiPoint Server refer to both Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 Standard and Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 Premium.

Important


This guide assumes that you have purchased Windows MultiPoint Server 2012, planned your environment, and procured the hardware that you will use. If you have not completed planning, see Planning a Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 Deployment before you begin your deployment. These topics provide information about purchase and licensing options, options for setting up your MultiPoint Server computer and stations, and basic concepts you will need to know when using MultiPoint Server. Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 does not support upgrading earlier versions of MultiPoint Server; you must purchase the full product.

For a downloadable version of this doc, see Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 Deployment Guide.

Note


For additional support, see the MultiPoint Server Help, which can be opened by clicking the Help icon or F1 on any MultiPoint Manager or MultiPoint Dashboard screen.

About Windows MultiPoint Server 2012

Built on Windows Server 2012 technology, MultiPoint Server enables multiple local stations to be connected to one computer. Several users can then share that computer at the same time, which enables each user to perform independent work or participate in a group activity.

Stations can be connected directly to the computer running MultiPoint Server or can be clients on a network with MultiPoint Server. Stations can be as simple as one station hub, monitor, keyboard, and mouse, with no network required, or they can be traditional network clients such as a desktop, laptop, or thin client using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to connect to the server. For more information about your options for setting up stations, see MultiPoint Server Stations.

MultiPoint Server is available in the following two versions:

  • Standard: Allows up to 10 simultaneously connected stations. Joining a domain is not supported, and it does not support virtualization as a host or guest operating system.

  • Premium: Allows up to 20 simultaneously connected stations. Joining a domain is supported. Virtualization is supported as a host or guest operating system with a 1+1 licensing model.

Note


For information about deploying Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 Premium in a virtualized environment, see MultiPoint Server Virtualization Support.

OEM vs. Site Licensing setup experience

This guide provides instructions for completing the installation of an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) product or performing a full installation of a product purchased under a Site Licensing agreement. There are three main differences between deployment of the OEM version and deployment of the Volume Licensing version of MultiPoint Server:

  • The OEM version is pre-installed on the server with which it is sold.

  • On OEM products, the drivers for the hardware might already be installed.

  • The initial customer setup experiences differ somewhat. Generally, a customer who purchases an OEM solution will connect the required peripheral devices, turn on the server, and follow instructions on-screen or in the accompanying documentation to complete the setup. This requires fewer deployment tasks to be completed than when MultiPoint Server is purchased through Volume Licensing. By contrast, Volume Licensing customers generally must consider capacity planning, choose their own hardware, and install the server software (either manually or using Windows deployment tools).

In this guide

The Deployment Guide is organized in the following way. At a minimum, you need to complete the tasks for deploying your system and preparing your environment for users. Other tasks might or might not apply to your environment. For a summary of all deployment tasks, see Task Lists: Deploying Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 in the appendixes.

  • Deploy a new Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 system

    Set up your Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 computer and stations. Install and configure MultiPoint Server; set up your stations; install drivers, updates, and software; optionally join a domain; activate MultiPoint Server; and add client licenses (CALs) for each station.

  • Optional configuration tasks for a Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 deployment

    Perform optional configuration tasks. Set up a split-screen station; add printers; enable access over a wireless LAN; create virtual desktops for stations with the Windows® 7 or Windows® 8 Enterprise operating system; change the display language for the system or for individual users.

  • Prepare your Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 system for users

    Plan and create user accounts; restrict users’ access to the server; for open access, configure stations for automatic logon; allow multiple sessions for shared user accounts; implement file sharing for users.

  • System administration in Windows MultiPoint Server 2012

    Perform some basic server administration tasks before you start using the server. Turn on Disk Protection; install Server Backup; to save power, configure sleep settings; configure group policies and the Registry for a domain deployment.

  • Appendixes: Deploying Windows MultiPoint Server 2012

    View or print task lists for all deployment tasks. Find out the meaning of terms used with MultiPoint Server. If basic language display setups do not meet your needs, find out how to handle complex scenarios.

See also