What is Thin Client Computing?
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Many people have heard of amazing
benefits from a new technology called thin client or server-based
computing. In an ever-growing world of technology options,
it can be difficult to sort out the meaning of such terms
— and even more difficult to make informed decisions
about whether or not to consider using these technologies
in your organization. This article explores the meaning, and
the practical benefits, of this powerful new approach to computing.
In simplest terms, thin client/server-based
computing describes a shift away from the complexities of
the typical modern personal computer (PC)-based network. While
the PC started out as a simple tool which enabled individuals
to increase their personal productivity, it has in fact become
a rather complicated and bloated device. New PC hardware and
software are constantly being released, creating an endless
stream of compatibility issues, both small and large. Just
when you think you have your PCs working perfectly, new applications,
devices, device drivers,Internet access, etc., are required,
and each desktop computer needs to be individually upgraded,
reconfigured, or even completely replaced. As a result, what
started as a simple personal computer evolved into a rather
complex "fat client" network device.
Thin client computing is a response
to this constant PC desktop upgrade and maintenance cycle
with its high cost and high manpower requirements disrupting
the flow of business. A thin client is a "display-only"
device, meaning it displays applications that run on dedicated
servers rather than on the computer.
Many people can relate this approach
to the experience of using an older style "mainframe"
terminal. These are very simple devices— plug them in,
log on, and start working. No one has ever complained about
the reliability, speed, or productivity of using a simple
computer terminal. They tend to be extremely reliable and
easy to maintain, with a very long operational life. The only
drawback has been the lack of a graphical user interface (GUI)
and the inability to run popular MS Windows compatible applications.
This is precisely what a thin client does — provide
all the benefits of centralized computing, ie powerful servers
and simple terminals, with the ability to run modern Windows
applications. While people tend to consider display terminals
to be old-fashioned technology, think of how much simpler
it is to have all applications and data in one place, a characteristic
which allows any number of people to share them by simply
plugging in a terminal.
Background-Early Computers
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"I think there
is a world market for
maybe five computers"
Quote from T. Watson, Chairman of IBM,
1943
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The first
computers were, in essence, automated counting and calculating
devices. Series of number patterns were fed into these counting
devices by setting the positions of switches or contacts.
The sole purpose of the computer was to calculate according
to the set of instructions and data it was given. There was
no real-time interaction machines as we know it today, just
a string of number going in and coming out.
The process of getting information into, and out of, these
machines underwent a gradual evolution from switches and contacts,
to hole-punched cards, paper tape, magnetic media, and, eventually
interactive typewriter style terminals.
These early terminals were comprised of a keyboard for input
and a text based CRT display for the computer output. Due
the high cost and complexity of early computer hardware, there
was an inherent assumption that multiple users would share
a single computer. When more users needed access to the computer
it was logical to add more terminals, rather than more computers.
The power (and cost) of the computer could be centralized
in one place while "dumb" terminals provided a way
for multiple users to use the system at the same time. This
concept has grown to become the character based terminals
we associate with Mainframe (also "Mini" and "Midrange")
computers today.
Enter the Personal Computer
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"There is no reason anyone would
want a computer in their home"
Quote from Ken Olsen, Digital Equipment
Corporation (DEC) now a part
of Compaq Computer.
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A completely different approach arose with advent of low
cost microprocessors and the rise of the Personal Computer.
It soon became feasible for an individual to have access to
a computer that was used by them alone, and, it could be operated
in a standard office or home environment!
While having in common the keyboard input device and text
output device of the "dumb" terminal, these units
had their own local processing power and storage. The availability
of dedicated processing power for each computer user allowed
new types of applications to be developed. It was in this
era that spreadsheets, word processors and graphical computer
games were fist developed. The Graphical User Interface (GUI),
which followed shortly afterward, represented a quantum leap
forward in ease of use and introduced ordinary people to computing
on a massive scale.
As a result businesses and individuals began adopting Personal
Computers at an amazing rate. With a minimal up front investment,
people could take advantage of the productivity gains offered
by these new systems.
While the Personal Computer brought these incredible
benefits to millions of people, it still lacked the most important
characteristics of centralized computing systems such as reliability,
low maintenance, security and the ability for everyone to
share applications and data easily. As a result, the Personal
Computer has undergone numerous revisions with each version
adding additional “layers” to it’s feature
set. From humble beginings as a single tasking “stand
alone” device (i.e. MS-DOS), the PC has become a complex,
multi-tasking “super computer” (i.e. Windows NT).
To replicate mainframe like functionality, the PC needed to
communicate with other computers. This led to the development
of data networks, i.e. groups of “Client” computers
accessing the shared resources of “Servers”. The
rapid development and adoption of the “Client-Server
Network” paradigm offered yet another level of productivity
boost and a wide range of tangible benefits for most organizations.
However, these very same developments brought with them the
high price of increased complexity, expanding maintenance
requirements, and, ever increasing costs.
The Personal Computer
becomes a "Fat Client"
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By the 1990's a typical PC
network required so many specialized devices and layers of
software to function that industry observers began referring
to the typical business PC as a bloated “Fat Client”.
Studies were done and analysis published about the true cost
of PC based computing and the results were shocking. Businesses
were spending inordinate amounts of money on never ending
software and hardware upgrades. Productivity gains were increasingly
being diminished by problems with reliability and compatibility.
Manpower requirements had escalated due to complexity and
special skills required to make it all work together, and,
to keep it running effectively.
However, it was not possible at this point to go back to
the “good old days” of centralized computers and
dumb terminals. Millions of people were getting real productivity
benefits from the wide range of powerful applications that
had evolved only on Personal Computers. These applications
simply were not available in the old paradigm, that is, until
Thin Client/Server Based computing came along.
Thin Client/Server Based Computing
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The NCD ThinSTAR is an example of
thin client desktop device
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In simplest terms, the phrase “Thin Client/Server Based
Computing” describes a shift back toward centralized
computing while maintaining the benefits offered by the Personal
Computer revolution. Whereas each PC requires a dedicated
hard drive, display, and, it’s own set of software applications,
a Thin Client is a display-only terminal. A Thin Client does
not have a hard drive, it needs no software loaded on it locally,
and, it stores no data. Instead, applications are executed
on powerful servers while the Thin Client simply presents
the screen display and gives you a way to operate the keyboard
and mouse. Thin Clients are very simple devices, you simply
plug them in, log on to a server and start working. A Thin
Client need only have sufficient power to render the display
of your user session, therefore it does not need to be replaced
or upgraded as new software and hardware versions are released.
Thin Client/Server Based Computing is defined by the fact
that applications are executed on dedicated servers while
the desktop device only needs to provide the display.
What does this all mean? And how can
I use Thin Client technology?
Think of how much simpler it is to have all of your applications
and data in one place, and, to allow any number of people
to share them by simply plugging in a terminal. With Thin
Client/Server Based computing you get all of the productivity
gains of modern software while at the same time reducing the
complexity and cost of delivering them to users in your organization.
In formal terms, the benefits are as follows:
- Lower cost of ownership and maintenance
a.) reduce cost per user
b.) reduce manpower requirements
c.) easily upgradeable and expandable (without interrupting
business)
d.) software updates and additions are done once from a
central server and do not require desktop upgrades
- Better reliability
a.) Server class hardware performs better and fails less
often then desktop PC's and “consumer” operating
systems
b.) User problems are easily resolved without requiring
a technician to visit the desktop
c.) Simple procedure to replace the desktop device in case
of failure
d.) No moving parts- ideal for rugged industrials environments
or for “clean” areas where there should be no
particles,
dust or noise generated
- Better Security
a.) Applications and Data are all maintained centrally
b.) Disabling a login account disables access to ALL company
information
c.) Files can be prevented from being transferred to local
hard drives and floppies
d.) All user computer activities can be remotely viewed
and monitored
- Remote access to all applications and data with high performance
a.) Users get the same applications and data regardless
of where they physically log on from. No longer required
to work from “my machine”
b.) Users can get the same applications and data performance
whether they access information from the office, a remote
office, dial up from home, connect via the Internet, etc.
c.) Sessions can be viewed or shared from any client device
thereby allowing technical support to watch and interact
with the user session. This can also be used to collaborate
with other users and/or provide interactive training.
- Simplified end user experience
a.) Simplicity of "plug and go" terminals- connect
the cables, turn it on, log in and start working
b.) User does not need to be concerned with the complexity
of a PC, i.e. no way to mess up the system
c.) Once a user is given a logon account, they have access
to all applications they need automatically without the
need for a technician to configure the desktop device or
user environment
If you are interested in pursuing a Thin Client strategy
in your organization there are a wide range of Thin Client
devices available today to choose from. However, it becomes
apparent quickly that the desktop is the easy part, you still
have important issues to tackle on the server side. Server
hardware choice, sizing and software configuration details
become much more important than before and need to be carefully
addressed. It is always important to remember that there is
no “magic bullet” in this or any other technology
solution. While the benefits can be significant compared with
legacy PC networks, you need to apply the same professional
practises of research, pilot testing, re-assessment and phased
deployment. It is highly recommended that you engage a qualified
consulting organization to design and deploy your pilot projects.
There are many specific skills and experiences required for
successful deployments of Thin Client/Server Based solutions
so it is important look for a company with a successful track
record. You will find that these skills will be naturally
transferred to your staff IT department as they gain experience
in the deployment and maintenance phases of the project. In
summary, Thin Client Computing is the next generation of computing.
For the first time we have the luxury of taking the best aspects
from each period of the history of computing and combining
them into a powerful new approach which simplifies the infrastructure
and lowers the cost and complexity of Information Systems.
Steve Greenberg is the founder
and President of Thin Client Computing in Scottsdale, Arizona.
He has designed and implemented mission critical solutions
for clients such as Motorola, Lucent Technologies, and, Chase
Manhattan. Email Steve at: steveg@thinclient.net
This article was the cover story feature in the July 11, 2000
issue of For the Record magazine
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