Architecture

The term "Thin Client" has its origins in a new generation of Windows terminals that replaced the more traditional passive character-mode terminals. They feature a dedicated operating system (such as Windows CE, CE.NET) and can be connected to Windows 2000, 2003, NT 4.0 TSE or Citrix Metaframe servers using protocols like Microsoft's RDP or Citrix's ICA.

The underlying philosophy of the Thin Client stems from a simple idea:
Compared with PCs that are at times difficult to administer, memory-hungry, demanding in the number of peripheral devices and locally installed applications, not to mention security, upgrading and maintenance issues, the Thin Client workstation only has to perform display, network management and user interface tasks. All the applications reside on a central server, and access to them is straightforward, economical, secure and efficient.
Users benefit from their customary working environment: business and office applications, messaging, Internet and mainframe access (AS400, 3270, Unix).

The Thin Client architecture the growing requirements of companies, who above all need reliable and secure technologies providing rapid returns on investment. This business-oriented architecture lets companies run all types of management, ASP, Internet, point-of-sale and industrial applications, to mention but a few ...

The features differentiating Thin Clients from PCs are:

• absence of local applications (all processing occurs on the server)
• small footprint,
• totally silent environment (no fan),
• minimal maintenance costs (no moving parts),
• optimal security levels (no risk of viruses),
• easy remote administration thanks to an adapted tool of the ItiumAdmin type.

The servers utilize a multi-user operating system and a special system for handling the client-side application interface. The deployment, management and support of applications is entirely handled on the server. Only screen changes, mouse clicks and keyboard input travel between the Thin Client and the server, thereby enhancing performance and requiring little throughput (several studies revealed that average bandwidth for Thin Clients, excluding print jobs, is approximately 8 Kbps).

Thin Clients have direct and instant access to company applications via the server, obviating the need to rewrite or download the applications. They also have direct access to Internet and mainframe applications thanks to a locally integrated navigator and terminal emulator. This makes for more efficient deployment of all types of business applications, better returns on IT investments (workstations, networks and applications) and optimized operating budgets (maintenance, upgrades). The Thin Client architecture is therefore the most reliable way of cutting costs and simplifying business IT systems.
The usefulness of this server-based computing model essentially resides in the fact that it allows companies to circumvent the management, access, performance and security problems involved in deploying critical applications.

Client workstations are remotely administered and configured, and software upgrades likewise.