>We are replacing a File Server set of applications that run over a T1 line from one (US) state where the client applications are to another (US) state where the file server is. We are proposing an nTier application architectrure. Our network services department is suggesting that we deploy the presentation tier using terminal server.

I have been working in a Citrix/Terminal Server environment for a bit now. My situation may be a little different as we have a fairly larger server farm. I'll comment the best I can. But I am by no means an expert in Citrix or Terminal Server.

We have a few applications that provide the Presentation Layer from a Citrix Server while the Data resides on Novell servers. In this type of situation I have noticed a pretty significant speed decrease in data processing. I have installed an application completely on the Citrix Server (data and all) and everything has run fine. But once the data was moved to the Novell server the performance degraded dramatically. This could be due to our network configuration but I am not sure.

>How scalable is an applicaiton when all processing for all clients is done on one machine (such as a terminal server)?

Scalability is initially handled by the amount of memory on the server and the processor power. I am not sure what the exact figures are but when planning you should allow a certain amount of memory per anticipated user and scale the processor power in this method as well. When you reach the capacity of one machine it is necessary to place another into service and begin imaging. In other words you would have 2 servers with the exact same configuration and the users would be divided between them.

>How do applications that run under terminal server fair when constructing and printing reports?

I haven't noticed any degredation as far as report construction and printing (other than the data manipulation issues mentioned above).

>The language for application design (DLL's EXE's) will most likely be VB. Would Fox be Better, Worse, or No difference. Existing programs are Fox DOS and VFP 6 SP3.

It really shouldn't matter what products you use to develop the applications other than using "the right tool for the right job." Problems have been reported with the way FoxPro handles and writes forms to the screen. The only problem I have had is when I used the BITMAP=OFF command. Otherwise everything runs fine.

>I want to lean toward not using Terminal server or Citrix. I have 0 experience with these products. Therefore if it is better to use them I want to use them and throw out my feeling.

Citrix and Terminal server work pretty well for bandwidth hungry applications across a WAN. They are a half decent solution but add some complexity.

I hope what little I know has helped.

George