Flash over RDP

[CHiLL]

We have a server running as a Terminal Server on 2003. We've noticed that when flash is used over RDP, is kills the server, putting the CPU up massively. 4 or 5 users watching flash videos maxes it out. Is there a way around this, or do we have to use a different method? The server is also doubled up as a VMWare ESX server, which is capable of running VMWare clients. Is this the way forward?

[Thrill]

What is the server for? Which type of website?

[CHiLL]

It is an 'Access 24' system, allowing the students and staff access to the school network from home.

[Thrill]

I understand I couldn't really see flash videos causing the problem, you sure it's not VMware?

[CHiLL]

Yeah, we've done experiments on it. When this happens, there are no VM sessions active, only TS. The usage goes up to 50% when one flash video is being watched, and up to 100% three or more are going. It drops back down to minimal levels when the flash videos stop.

[Thrill]

Have you checked on their site? Might be a bug with that or version

[CHiLL]

We've also tested it on a different server with TS installed, which doesn't have any form of VMWare installed at all. We get the same results.

[Thrill]

Hm, not really sure what to suggest. That's the problem with servers, very hard to diagnose and fix issues.

[bartokk]

Typically in this environment you'll want to have an app that would accelerate performance. Flash over RDP on the WAN is excruciating. Citrix has (or had?) something called speedscreen multimedia acceleration. Microsoft has their App-V project as well.