What Are Thin Clients?

The basic idea behind thin-client computing is simple. The thin client is a device that

connects users to servers, where applications and data are stored and processed.

Instead of running applications locally on each individual PC, the application is run

centrally on the server and viewed locally on individual terminals.

The “thin-client server” is an optimized computing model that allows all applications

to be deployed, managed, supported and executed on a single server. The server

uses a multi-user operating system and is designed to distribute the presentation of

an application’s interface to each remote client device. With this model, the client

devices have instant access to mission-critical, business applications. Importantly,

this model works seamlessly with current computing infrastructures and computing

standards as well as with all current and future families of Windows-based

applications. By using a multi-user operating system, the thin client server model

allows multiple users to log on at the same time. Users can run either the same or

different applications in separate, protected sessions on either a single server or

multiple servers.

Thin Client Benefits

Thin-client computing lowers costs and improves services in several areas including

the following:

Hardware

As software becomes more complex, PC hardware upgrades have become necessary

every 1-2 years. When extra processing power is needed, only the server hardware

needs to be upgraded, while each thin client remains unchanged. Thin clients have

no need for hard drives, memory or any other hardware upgrades.

Central Support

With all computing power, business applications and data centralized on secure

servers, fewer technical staff can support many more users resulting in significant

benefits. The more geographically distributed the base, the more efficiency and cost

savings will be realized. Centralized thin-client servers allow the support staff to be

more focused. That will increase the quality and consistency of their support.

Bandwidth

Thin-client computing allows the separation between an application’s logic and its

user interface. Only keystrokes, mouse clicks and screen updates need to travel

across the network. The result is that application performance is no longer bandwidth

dependent. Applications will consume only a fraction of the normal network

bandwidth that is usually required. If workers typically perform the same tasks

repeatedly, e.g. claim processing and customer service, the reduction in bandwidth

usage is even more significant.

Power

Thin clients use 60% of the power required for a PC. Thin-client devices are expected

to have a life cycle of more than five years. The savings in power alone will offset a

significant portion of the cost of the devices.

Licensing

This is a major component of IT spending. With today’s PC infrastructure, businesses

have to maintain software licenses on every PC they use. By installing applications

on a central server, licensing management is simplified. Software updates are

distributed at once to all clients across the network. The business can create a few

standard desktop configurations to ease training, troubleshooting and maintenance.

No client will ever be one or two versions behind or a version ahead.

Security

Server backups allow security and protection for your data. A major risk when using

traditional PCs is the difficulty of protecting data from unauthorized copying and

transferring. With thin clients having no local storage, no CD-ROMs and no floppy

drives, this risk is significantly reduced. The data is always at the server. Email

security can be customized for each business to prevent the unauthorized transfer of

data from the server.

Data Backup/Restore

With centralized applications on the server, all data is stored in a central location.

Backup is only necessary at the server site, eliminating the costs and redundancies

normally associated with local data backup on traditional PCs at multiple locations.

Viruses

Without a local device to introduce data, the possibility of transferring a virus is

substantially reduced. Still, the servers must be protected especially from the

possibility of introducing viruses through email. This problem does not exist on the

client side.

Theft

Unlike PCs, thin clients are not targets for theft because they are useless until they

are connected to the proper server. However, security is always required for the

server.

Deployment and Maintenance

Thin clients allow rapid deployment of new software by fewer IT staff. Unlike PCs,

once the application is tested and installed on a terminal server, all the clients who

are authorized to use it gain instant access to that new or upgraded application.

There is no need to actually touch any PC throughout the organization to insure a

successful deployment.

Reliability and Scalability

An optimized thin client will function without failure for more than twice as long as a

typical PC. Thin clients have virtually no moving parts. In case of a device failure,

downtime is minimal through low cost replacement and quick and easy access. By

adding power and memory only to servers at a single location, there is instant

scalability to all connected clients.

Thin Client Challenges

While providing many benefits to an organization’s IT infrastructure, the popularity

and growth of thin clients will be challenged by the following:

PC Momentum

Network managers who are currently using a traditional PC client-server model have

a significant investment in those PCs and will be hesitant to change. However,

deploying a thin client model does not necessarily mean losing the value of those

PCs. In fact a mixed environment can be deployed using thin client terminals for

repetitive task workers and PCs for power users who might still need to run local

applications that require local processing.

Network Reliability

It is true that thin clients require constant connectivity with the servers they are

accessing. In case that connection is lost, the current session will resume at the

same point when the connection is finally restored. This is vital even when using

traditional PCs, especially for mission-critical business applications such as point-ofsales.

Intelligent planning will assure that back-up servers and proper network

rerouting is in place to maintain connectivity. Although such implementation may

add some additional up-front costs, they may be offset by the lower cost of reduced

thin client bandwidth versus a PC.

Local Device Support

The manners in which local devices are being used will need to be audited to design

an effective thin client environment. Add-on software can enable local COM and LPT

ports. USB support is native to Windows and Linux operating systems. In a thin

client environment, one needs to consider whether or not all users need the ability to

connect to a local device or if only a limited group of users will need that capability.