Remote Desktop vs. Terminal Server

The only difference to remote desktop programs like PC Anywhere, VNC, Remote Desktop, etc. is the following: With remote desktop programs all connected clients always use one and the same desktop. If e.g. one user starts a program, all see the same program, the same mouse cursor, the same keyboard input, etc.

With terminal server solutions each connected station has its own desktop - an own instance. Only it sees, what happens there. Mouse actions and keyboard inputs only affect this one instance. But this also means, that a program can be started in each instance. E.g. the MS Editor can be started in each instance. The program (the EXE) then runs several times on the terminal server.