Before I go into Zero Client, I would like to mention about desktop computer components that all of us have in our homes. There are processor, memory, hard disc, I/O units and operating systems in our desktop computers.
Thin Client, as the name implies, is thinner and low capacity versions of some components in desktop computers. Most of Thin Clients have a limited capacity hard disc or a simple flash memory as processor, memory and data storage area. Thin Clients at user side should have embedded or special operating system in addition to virtualized operating system included in the server. As Thin Client’s user operating systems; Microsoft Windows XP Embedded or Windows CE have been developed, some manufacturers have also developed their own linux versions. Difference between the computers in our homes is that, data storage area is less; they contain processor at lower configuration. There is not fan and spinning disc in Thin Client’s. Fan and spinning discs are the most failed parts of desktop components. Thin Client’s configurable and monitorable web-based interface administrative software exist in many products.
Zero Client is presented as alternative of Thin Client. The biggest difference is that there is no need for a process or administration at user side. There is not any operating system in Zero Clients. Desktop centralization can be completely realizable with Zero Clients.
Installation complexity, hardware-software compatibility, license cost and maintenance costs are mostly avoided by Zero Client. Investment amortizes itself within a few year.
In case of Zero Client or Thin Client failure, a spare device can be replaced with the previous one and it can start to run immediately. This enables a kind of business continuity. These solutions require a certain bandwidth to provide optimum performance. Today, corporates renews their network infrastructures for business continuity and other projects. Importance of Green IT has become more obvious day by day; I think that Thin Client and Zero Client investments will increase. One of the biggest advantages of Thin Clients and Zero Clients is that their energy consumption is almost 1/10 less as compared to desktop computers. Considering annual energy consumptions of the companies, this will generate a significant power saving.
Zero Client And ThinClient
Before I go into Zero Client, I would like to mention about desktop computer components that all of us have in our homes. There are processor, memory, hard disc, I/O units and operating systems in our desktop computers.
Thin Client, as the name implies, is thinner and low capacity versions of some components in desktop computers. Most of Thin Clients have a limited capacity hard disc or a simple flash memory as processor, memory and data storage area. Thin Clients at user side should have embedded or special operating system in addition to virtualized operating system included in the server. As Thin Client’s user operating systems; Microsoft Windows XP Embedded or Windows CE have been developed, some manufacturers have also developed their own linux versions. Difference between the computers in our homes is that, data storage area is less; they contain processor at lower configuration. There is not fan and spinning disc in Thin Client’s. Fan and spinning discs are the most failed parts of desktop components. Thin Client’s configurable and monitorable web-based interface administrative software exist in many products.
Zero Client is presented as alternative of Thin Client. The biggest difference is that there is no need for a process or administration at user side. There is not any operating system in Zero Clients. Desktop centralization can be completely realizable with Zero Clients.
Installation complexity, hardware-software compatibility, license cost and maintenance costs are mostly avoided by Zero Client. Investment amortizes itself within a few year.
In case of Zero Client or Thin Client failure, a spare device can be replaced with the previous one and it can start to run immediately. This enables a kind of business continuity. These solutions require a certain bandwidth to provide optimum performance. Today, corporates renews their network infrastructures for business continuity and other projects. Importance of Green IT has become more obvious day by day; I think that Thin Client and Zero Client investments will increase. One of the biggest advantages of Thin Clients and Zero Clients is that their energy consumption is almost 1/10 less as compared to desktop computers. Considering annual energy consumptions of the companies, this will generate a significant power saving.