Thin clients - what is it? Connection and use of thin clients

Usually, when they talk about the features of the program, they understand the language in which it was compiled. Or the system requirements required to run. But there are a number of other less well-known definitions. One of them is thin clients. What is it and why are they being developed?

What is a thin client?

Thin clients are understood by computers or programs that work as part of a network with a terminal or client-server architecture. But they do not just function there. All or at least most of the information processing tasks are transferred to the servers to which thin clients are connected. What is it in the implementation? An example is the browser, which is used to process network applications, thanks to which you can now read these lines. For the system to work, you need a server for thin clients, otherwise it becomes impossible for such an idea.

Why are they needed?

To put it more simply, a thin client is an inferior computer that loads a light operating system and connects to a terminal server. It is used solely to save on hardware and software (although in rare cases, there may be other considerations). A typical thin client is a system unit that does not have a hard disk, and there is only a minimum of hardware that is required to run the operating system. The power supply, mouse, keyboard, monitor and network cable are connected. There may be other devices, but their use is possible only if they are identified and transmitted to the terminal server.

Also, the required level of spending on software is reduced. There is no need to buy a license for each computer - it is only needed for one server. At the same time, costs for maintenance personnel are reduced , because only one terminal is needed to administer. As practice shows, it is rather problematic to damage a thin client (provided that no purposeful efforts are made). But at the same time, the requirements for service personnel are increasing. Especially it concerns the transfer of cases from one administrator to another. Then it is necessary that the intercessor is well versed in everything, because potentially any failure can lead to the collapse of the entire system, and then thin clients will lose their value. What is it that you know, and how do they differ from fat ones?

The difference between a thin and thick client

What is taken into account when a thick and thin client is distinguished? Differences between them are: under the first one understand the usual kind of programs that can work autonomously on a separate terminal. They do not need a remote server for high-quality execution of their work. What the second is, you already know. And this is the main and at the same time the only difference that a thick and thin client has. Differences can still be cited in the features of implementation, but they all fit into a previously formulated proposition.

How does it work and what types of downloads are there?

How does the technology work? In general, all information can be accommodated in three points:

1. On the computer, through one of the possible sources is loaded thin client. The main options are: LAN, CD, HDD.
2. In the process of downloading a thin client (or when working with a local network to it), the network card of the computer gets its own IP address.
3. When the pumping of all necessary software ends, the connection to the terminal session with the server specified in the settings is created through the desktop. Access can already be given or you need a password and login. The thin client connection due to the enterprise LAN must be enabled in the server settings.

How the system works, in general you already have an idea. But one of the most important is the download phase, which all thin clients have. What is it, where it can be taken, if there are no hard disks on which data is normally stored? There are two possibilities:

1. Download using the network. The TFTP and DHCP servers must work on the local network. In the computer itself, there must be a network card that has the BootROM property, or special drivers that emulate it. It checks the presence of all pointers, receives settings and loads the operating system.
2. Download the pre-installed system from DVD \ CD \ Flash \ IDE.

Web Client

Technology "thin client" is much more popular than it may seem at first glance. Want an example that indicates that you are using it right now? Well, we assume that a special role should be given to the most common at the moment thin clients - browsers. They are excellent examples of work on such principles. By itself, the browser has little to do with it. But the opportunities that he opens up to a computer that has a connection to the global network are huge! The machine can have a very meager software resource, but, getting the necessary data from remote servers, you can count on creating a high-quality and multi-purpose facility. All that is necessary for the user of the computer is to formulate his request, after which the necessary information will be obtained from external sources.

Operation in terminal mode

In addition to the cases described above, it is worth highlighting one more hardware feature of a possible thin client - a special device that is structurally different from a personal computer. Such a mechanism is not equipped with a hard disk and uses a special local operating system (whose tasks include organizing a session with a terminal server so that the user can work). Also, such a device does not have special moving parts, it is produced in special cases and has completely passive cooling. Let's look at an example of a real program, where a thin client is implemented? What it is? 1C is the program that will be considered. So, in it everything is based on the work of two parts: one is the platform proper, which is necessary for work. The second is an extension that fulfills separate goals. But it can not work without a platform.

Protocols that are used by thin clients

It is possible to identify the 9 most popular types of protocols that are used in the development of this software. Their list is as follows:

1. X11 - found application in Unix-systems.
2. Telnet is a multiplatform protocol. It is a bi-directional eight-bit byte-oriented communication medium.
3. SSH is a multiplatform analog of Telnet. The main difference is the security of the transmitted data.
4. NX NoMachine is an improved X11 protocol. The main advantage is data compression.
5. Virtual Network Computing is a platform independent system. Uses a simple client-server application-layer protocol to access the necessary computers that are connected to this program.
6. Independent Computing Architecture is a rather imperfect way of transmitting data. This protocol is significantly displayed on the performance and requirements for the systems on which it operates.
7. Remote Desktop Protocol - Serves remote desktop access. Can transfer a wide range of data, and also opens up wide opportunities for using remote machines.
8. SPICE is a protocol for data transmission, which can be used with comfort not only in the local network, but also via the Internet. Its feature is "software ease", which allows you to quickly exchange data. This is possible due to the simplicity of the data transfer processes (which are performed not at the expense of performance). It can also work on a wide range of machine architectures.
9. Various closed protocols, which were developed by programmers of various firms and enterprises. They are used only, as a rule, on the territory of the enterprise for which they were made. They have a number of unique parameters, including: implementation, system requirements, architecture. The thin client in this case is fully developed for individual enterprises and protocols operating on their territory.

Examples of implementation

As an example of the implementation of a thin client, you can develop such developments as:

1. Terminal access.
2. Diskless station.
3. LTSP.
4. Thinstation.

The use of thin clients allows in such cases to accelerate the update of all necessary software for work.