Thin Client from remote server location for 3 offices

For complex topics that regular users would not be interested in. For power users and database administrators.
Post Reply
mdemps9190
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 11:34 am

Thin Client from remote server location for 3 offices

Post by mdemps9190 » Thu May 24, 2012 11:39 am

As an office we are trying to move to Open Dental and through discussions with Jordan, have been recommended a combo thin/thick client setup.

Basically we want to host the servers off-site and have 3 practices all work seamlessly with the same database. Does anybody have any experience with this setup using thin clients?

How fast is the imaging/the software in general? There are worries that it will be too laggy and speed will become an issue as we are switching over from a localized, server based setup that didn't allow us to sync all three offices up to a thin client.

Also if anybody has any sort of guide on how to set this up that would be great. We will probably hire some outside IT help to initially set it up, but we want to make sure everything is clean and fast before we spend money on servers and such.

Appreciate any help.

User avatar
jordansparks
Site Admin
Posts: 5739
Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:59 pm
Location: Salem, Oregon
Contact:

Re: Thin Client from remote server location for 3 offices

Post by jordansparks » Thu May 24, 2012 12:55 pm

You can set up two ordinary workstations to test the speed. Set one of them up as the server. Use RDP to get a feel for the thin client speed and capabilities. Yes, this should be done before you go any further. The VPN is the hardest part.
Jordan Sparks, DMD
http://www.opendental.com

User avatar
Manny Ramirez
Posts: 129
Joined: Tue Mar 06, 2012 3:07 pm
Location: Miami/Puerto Rico
Contact:

Re: Thin Client from remote server location for 3 offices

Post by Manny Ramirez » Fri Jun 08, 2012 8:19 pm

Yes indeed, either a Citrix or Terminal Server are the best option. Microsoft RRAS has some VPN capabilites as well. Jordan, question. I used Dental Vision once. I remember seeing a logon screen with a list of offices where you could pick one. Is there a feature like that in OD? I was also able to map a Scannex system to it. I guess one of the biggest challange has always been mapping digital sensor or any digital device over the rdp connection.

Sharing is caring
Manny Ramirez
Senior Network Engineer
E-ssential Networks LLC

User avatar
jordansparks
Site Admin
Posts: 5739
Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:59 pm
Location: Salem, Oregon
Contact:

Re: Thin Client from remote server location for 3 offices

Post by jordansparks » Sat Jun 09, 2012 10:51 pm

Yes, there is a window in Open Dental where you can pick an office to connect to:
http://www.opendental.com/manual/central.html
Jordan Sparks, DMD
http://www.opendental.com

SpeedGP
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 7:37 am

Re: Thin Client from remote server location for 3 offices

Post by SpeedGP » Thu Jun 14, 2012 10:45 am

You may consider hosting one server per location, then having all locations sync data between themselves. If you are hosting everything offsite I think you will experience a lot of lag.

Main issues will be when you take or view digital X-Rays.

For syncing OpenDental we use the built in Master-Master Replication built into MySQL.

User avatar
jordansparks
Site Admin
Posts: 5739
Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:59 pm
Location: Salem, Oregon
Contact:

Re: Thin Client from remote server location for 3 offices

Post by jordansparks » Fri Jun 15, 2012 10:31 am

Replication is not for the faint of heart. It takes skill and attention to detail. We don't usually recommend replication as the first option.
Jordan Sparks, DMD
http://www.opendental.com

pna
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2010 4:44 pm

Re: Thin Client from remote server location for 3 offices

Post by pna » Wed Oct 03, 2012 6:32 am

As efficient as RDP is, the UI elements still need to be transported over network.

Not sure, if this has been attempted before, but how about hosting mysql centrally and A-Z folders locally to each site, kept in sync with likes of dropbox? mysql data should be pretty light on the network. Dropbox is pretty good at syncing near real-time. This way user experience will not suffer; except occasional waits before accessing files.

asceticwonder
Posts: 19
Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2015 8:44 am

Re: Thin Client from remote server location for 3 offices

Post by asceticwonder » Thu Oct 15, 2015 8:47 am

Hello, sorry to open old thread, but has anyone tried this? I am considering switching to open dental due to growing business and would like to have a good multi-office strategy from the get-go.

Thanks!

pna wrote:As efficient as RDP is, the UI elements still need to be transported over network.

Not sure, if this has been attempted before, but how about hosting mysql centrally and A-Z folders locally to each site, kept in sync with likes of dropbox? mysql data should be pretty light on the network. Dropbox is pretty good at syncing near real-time. This way user experience will not suffer; except occasional waits before accessing files.

Post Reply