Virtual machines, terminal access in the classroom, is it real?

Question

System administration

There is a computer class at the school with a park of old computers 13 pieces (1.8GHz-512-40gb-100mb/s-WInXP) are connected to a local network with the Internet
All computers need to work on WIn7+MSOffice2010+Embarcadero RAD studio 2010 and various small software. The machines will be static, the works of students are stored on a file server. (There is a file server.)
Budget 1.2 thousand $. with the ability to increase to $ 1.7 thousand if it is badly needed (the license is paid by the patron, the budget is "as much as necessary" but within reasonable limits.)
Due to the small budget, I began to think in the direction of the server and use old computers as terminals, And then a number of questions that cannot be adequately googled.
Choice between hypervisor and virtual machines or terminal server. How realistic is this (and is it generally realistic) with such a budget and what points should you pay attention to.
In fact, there are a whole carload of questions, but I think this is the most important.

Answer 1

If memory serves, the license for the cheapest vSphere is about 30k +, it is not sold without buying support, and this is already pulling on your budget. Well, a server for 13 virtual machines:
- 2gb ram per machine is already at least 32gb;
- CPU probably suggests 2 pieces of level e5
- disk subsystem with a dozen disks and a controller with a battery (controller 15-20k) plus disks
These are the most consumable items IMHO

Answer 2

Are licenses included in 1.7k, or is 1.7k for hardware, and licenses are paid separately?
According to licenses, you need to google all sorts of support programs for university schools.
About the virtualization of 13 machines have already been written to you, it's cheaper to do terminals. Of the minuses, instead of vin7 there will be a server system. On the plus side, it's easier to set up and maintain.

Answer 3

As an option, look towards windows multipoint server. True, it needs thin clients if I remember correctly, and your 13 old computers will not be suitable for this. You will have to spend money on clients and on the server, with licenses for software from Microsoft in educational institutions, I think everything is in order?