Advantages and disadvantages and alternatives to the server solution

When it comes to the topic of workplace equipmentmore and more companies are focusing on the use of Zero or Thin Clients Do not have your own hard drive And only yourself Limit to the insertion and output of data. The Operating system and the application software are on a central serverfrom which the administration and the updates are also carried out. That makes the thin client one inexpensive and sensible alternative to the conventional PC. In this article we explain How the concept basically works and which one Advantages and disadvantages bring the slimmed -down computers.

1. Definition: What is a thin client?

A Thin Client (also: Cloud Client) is one Very easy computerin contrast to a normal desktop calculator not a separate stored man (e.g. a hard drive or SSD), but mostly relies on the computing power of a network server. Der Thin Client So work primarily as a user interface And is not designed to carry out applications yourself. For example, he acts as a terminal server or provides virtual desktop.

Most Thin clients are by default with one slimmed down CPUa small flash memory and Connections for the basic periphery (Mouse, keyboard, monitor and USB devices). They also have a rudimentary operating system (meist Linux, Windows CE, Windows Embedded Standard (Win32) oder Windows Embedded 7).

Good to know: The best -known manufacturer of Thin Clients Is the Californian company Wyse Technology, that since 2012 too Dell heard. The market leader in Germany is the Igel Technology GmbH With its headquarters in Bremen, which with their thin and zero clients alongside Dell, Fujitsu, HP and LG Electronics To the five largest producers worldwide heard.

2. How does a thin client work?

So that the Thin Client also does what it should, they need a so -called terminal server. It is about a particularly powerful computerthat is configured so that several users work on them in parallel and independently can.

Die Communication between server and client takes place via special protocols. Microsoft offers, for example, with its in -house RDP („Remote Desktop Protocol“) an option with which you Transferred the screen contents of distant computers and can control. Furthermore, transmission procedures such as Citrix Xenapp, Independent Computer Architecture (ICA) or the X Windows System are also used.

For the Management of the Thin Clients You also need management software that either On the terminal server or a separate computer is installed. For example, they provide or take images Settings at the client configuration before.

3. What types of Thin Clients are there?

Thin Clients sind Available in a wide variety of shapes and formsthe boundaries to a «full» PC are fluid.

In addition to inpatient systems, many providers offer Meanwhile also mobile variants on, which are visually reminiscent of notebooks and also can be used without connection to the terminal server can. For this, the virtual desktop including data, operating system and programs Stored and encrypted locally on the Thin Client. As soon as this connects to the network, will be The data synchronized.

One even reduced form of the thin clients are the so-called zero clients. Runs on this Instead of an operating system only a minimal firmwarewhich in turn is bound to the server platform of the respective provider.

Other forms of Thin Clients are:

• Cash systems (POS termals)
• Kiosk-Terminals
• Windows-Based-Terminals (WBT)
• Playing equipment for TV streaming services (IPTV)

Good to know: Through the Use of special software can also be converted into a thin client. However, there may be some Crucial advantages of the conceptsuch as the Energy efficiency or simplified managementlost.

4. What are the advantages and disadvantages for companies and business?

4.1. Advantages

One of the biggest advantages of the Thin Clients is the simpler operation. On the client itself there is only the software that it is for the Access to the centrally provided apps and applications needed. This can Regardless of the actually used programs uniform operated by a central or decentralized control system and are managed.

In this way, the individual clients can be very Install comfortably (for example based on configuration images) and also change if necessary. There is no fixed assignment of the jobs. This means that users without restrictions work from any client can, because one stands on everyone Identical working environment available.

Thin clients also typically have no moving parts (e.g. fan) and are therefore less susceptible to disorders. With around 10 to 20 watts, current thin client models require Much less energy than a conventional computer. This automatically increases your service life.

For comparison: Die Lifespan of a Thin client is around seven yearswhereas a standard desktop PC is only used on average for three to four years.

4.2. Disadvantages

Despite the many advantages, users of Thin Clients have to Also live with a few disadvantageshowever, which Fixed gradually as part of new new technical developments be (should). Beyond Of the mobile solutions already mentioned can only be used by thin clients, If there is a connection to the terminal server.

In addition, of course they are Performance restrictions through the «slimmed down» hardware. Many programs are specially developed for FAT clients and straight With very graphic -heavy applications (e.g. games or CAD software) Thin clients thrust Quite quickly to their limits.

Another disadvantage is that many thin clients only Support a limited selection of peripheral devices. Usually only the mouse, keyboard and screen are accepted without grumbling.

Please note: Not all software manufacturers have their programs For operation on a remote server planned. Therefore, always find out exactly about The corresponding license conditions. Under certain circumstances, additional fees are due for the changed usage scenario.

5. The Raspberry Pi as an alternative to the classic thin client

The introduction of the Citrix HDX Ready Pi has also been able to use the Raspberry Pi as a thin client for some time. For this purpose, Citrix has received a partnership with the Raspberry Pi Foundation, in the course of which an RPI3 (Raspberry Pi 3) with the help of the Citrix HDX technology For the task as a thin client (on Xendtop and XenApp).

With Citrix HDX Ready Pi you can convert a Raspberry Pi into a Thin client with a few steps.

In the Pro version of Windows 10 the Access via RDP. This can be set up with a few mouse clicks.

You can use the corresponding option in the control control under «System -> Extended system settings -> Remote“Activate by you Hink with the option of the same name set.

On the Raspberry Pi you have to install the two packages «Resktop» and «Grdesktop». Then start «ugly“And give the IP address of the Windows computer a. The desktop is now displayed on the Raspberry Pi, from where you can control and manage him from.

Usually the main board is included in the scope of delivery of a Raspberry Pi. With it A ready -to -operate computer you also have to be in addition to a housing Retrofit a corresponding memory card and a power supply as well Provide periphery. If you add up all of these extra costs, there is still a Raspberry Pi Thin Client Significantly cheaper than most comparable low-cost and more clients. Reason enough, at least To think about a purchase.

Please note: The Raspberry Pi is operated with a so-called ARM chip instead of an X86-based CPU, which means that the software that can be used on it is automatically limited. In addition, this must be adapted to the special architecture of the single -circuit computer in terms of performance.

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