BENEFITS, HISTORY AND FUTURE
Introduction
As of late there has been a lot of talk about virtualization, cloud and utility computing and the increased advantages of thin client or server-based computing. Here we discuss the history, future and benefits of this technology.
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 device. Just when you think you have your PCs working perfectly, new applications, devices, drivers, Internet access, etc., are required, and each PC 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.
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 PC.
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. However, new thin client desktops manufactured by world PC leader HP, combined with powerful servers, now have the ability to run MS Windows, MS Office, any application and multimedia graphics. While the mindset is to consider terminal computing old fashioned, this technology is current. As the saying goes – what’s old is new again!
The Early Days - Mainframe
The computing world started with the mainframe which was linked to ‘dumb’ 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 terminals provided a way for multiple users to ‘plug’ into the system at the same time.
Advent of the Personal Computer (PC)
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 operated at the office or home.
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 first developed. The Graphical User Interface (GUI), which followed shortly afterward, represented a leap forward in ease of use and introduced ordinary people to computing on a massive scale. With a minimal up front investment, people could take advantage of the productivity gains offered by these new systems.
While the PC 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. 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.
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 terminals. Millions of people were getting real productivity benefits from the wide range of powerful applications that had evolved only on PCs. These applications simply were not available in the old paradigm, that is, until Thin Client/Server Based computing came along.
The Future – Thin Client Computing
In simplest terms, the phrase “Thin Client/Server Based Computing” describes a shift back toward centralized computing while maintaining the benefits offered by the PC revolution. Whereas each PC requires a dedicated hard drive, display, and it’s own set of software applications, a Thin Client is display-only. 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 inside a world-class TELUS data centre. Thin Clients are very simple devices, you simply plug them in, log into the TELUS data centre and start working. A Thin Client only needs to 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.
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 thin client. 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:
1) Lower cost of ownership and maintenance
- Reduce cost per user
- Reduce manpower requirements
- Easily upgradeable and expandable (without interrupting business)
- Software updates and additions are done once from a central server and do not require desktop upgrades
2) Better reliability
- Enterprise HP Servers with N1 image real time failover managed in a Tier 1 data centre are more reliable than desktop PCs and onsite server networks.
- User issue are easily resolved from a central help desk and centrally managed environment without requiring a technician to visit the desktop or server
- Simple plug and play procedure to replace the desktop device in case of failure
- No moving parts- ideal for rugged industrials environments or for “clean” areas where there should be no particles, dust or noise generated
3) Better Security
- Applications and data are all maintained centrally under strict secured protocols
- Disabling a login account disables access to ALL company information
- Files can be prevented from being transferred to local hard drives
- All user computer activities can be remotely viewed and monitored
- Enterprise Prevention Management of spam, malware , virus and other nefarious interventions
4) Remote access to all applications and data with high performance
- Users get the same applications and data regardless of where they physically log on from. No longer required to work from “my machine”
- Users can get the same applications and data performance whether they access information from the office, a remote office, from home, anywhere they can get on the Internet, etc.
- 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.
5) Simplified end user experience
- Simplicity of "plug and go" terminals- connect the cables, turn it on, log in and start working
- User sees and works with his own personal files and e mail and can share any predetermined files with colleagues.
- User does not need to be concerned with the complexity of a PC, i.e. no way to mess up the system.
- 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
|
.jpg)