Thick or thin clients as workstations.

Thick or thin clients as workstations.

Asking the question which is better, with regard to chousing between the variouse devices available to access computerised information, is a bit like asking which is better a trabant or a 38Ton trunk. It all depends on what you want it for.

Dumb terminal or serial terminal

Thease devices may be mono or colour.
  • Purchase cost
  • Connects a single server/portserver
  • Simple to setup {less than 2 minutes}
  • Input via keyboard
  • Minimal administration {200+ per IT staff member}.

Network terminal

  • Purchase cost
  • Direct conections to LAN
  • Simultainious telnet connections to multiple servers
  • Simple to setup {less than 3 minutes}
  • Input via keyboard
  • Minimal administration {150+ per IT staff member}.
  • Provides connection for a printer

X-terminal, or Win-terminal

Terminals for use with UNIX servers running X-Windows, or Citrix WinFrame Servers. Many support both.

Network Computer or "NC"

  • Purchase cost
  • Direct conections to LAN
  • Simultainious telnet connections to multiple servers
  • Simple to setup {less than 5 minutes}
  • Input via keyboard or mouse
  • Webbrowser
  • Support for Java clients
  • IBM 3270 mainframe access
  • IBM 5250 mainframe access
  • Xwindows clients
  • Settings saved to smartcard.
  • Minimal administration {100+ per IT staff member}.
  • Provides connection for a printer

Personal Computer or "PC"

When used as a standalone personal computer, with the default software setup is about an hour. If it is to be used in an office network environment this increases rapidly.

Typical small office system.

  • Purchase cost
  • Direct conections to LAN
  • Setup 4+ hours depending on optional software loaded.
  • Input via keyboard or mouse
  • Webbrowser {Microsoft IE4/5 or load an alternate}
  • Support for Java clients {Depends on browser}
  • Administration time {20 per IT staff member}.
  • Provides connection for a printer

Avialable via additional software and setup time.

  • Simultainious telnet connections to multiple servers
  • IBM 3270 mainframe access
  • IBM 5250 mainframe access
  • Xwindows client software
  • Citrix WinFrame client software.

Graphical workstation

Based on top end Pentium or RISC processors, often with specialist 3D graphics cards. Lots of memory. UNIX based operating system, and Xwindows display manager. Thease systems are generaly aimed at the CAD/CAM or CAE markets. where there is a need to manipulate complex graphical images.