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In this article:
- What is a Thin Client
- Advantages of a Thin Client
What is a Thin Client
A thin client is computer that is part of a client-server network architecture that depends on the central server for processing tasks. The name ‘thin client’ is because of the fact that they make use of a small boot image which is just enough to establish a connection with the network. This is quite opposite to a thick client which performs nearly all the processing itself and only passes the communication data. A client-server network may make use of a standard software client (such as a web browser) or a custom-built client. In the former case, the limitations of the client used would affect the whole network but it can help cut costs to a great extent.
By definition, a thin client is network computer that does not have any hard disk drive or HDD and is very small so as to let the central server perform all the processing required. A thin client has the minimal hardware that is required to run it. However, such a client may also be in a software form or application program. In this case, it would help in the communication with an application server. Such software-only clients can easily be run on the usual PC hardware.
Advantages of a Thin Client
Since a thin client requires the use of a small boot image only, it is easily manageable and its use has the following advantages:
- Lower administrative costs
Since the hardware on a thin client is very limited and they are usually managed by a central server, there are fewer chances that a client would fail and so also, it protects the environment from malware.
- Easier to secure
Malware maybe prevented from affecting thin clients as no data related to any application is allowed to stay on the client since it is transmitted almost immediately.
- Lower hardware costs
Thin clients are typically cheaper since there is no need to attach a hard disk or processor to it. Also, they do not become obsolete or require an update very soon. Still, the limited hardware available to a thin client is used in an optimum manner adding to their useful long life.
- Lower Energy Consumption
Thin clients usually require a fraction of the power used by thick clients or client personal computers (PCs). Hence, the expenses on energy are considerably low. So also, they eliminate the use of air-conditioning systems and hence help achieve energy-saving targets.
- Worthless to most thieves
If the hardware of a thin client is stolen by someone, it is not useful at all. This is so because apart from in a client-server environment, there is no use for a thin client. Hence, thieves would gain nothing even if they get their hands on a considerable quantity of thin client hardware.
- Hostile Environments
Thin clients are immune to outside disturbances that maybe part of the environment they are installed in. This includes dust, overheating and general wear and tear. This is so because there are no moving parts inside a thin client.
- Less network bandwidth
As against a terminal server environment, a typical advantage of using a thin client is its low bandwidth consumption. In a situation where a thick client is being used, the same document is transferred over the network each time some operation (such as printing) is to be performed using shared resources. This would consume a lot of time if the file is big and would prove to be inefficient. However, a thin client would save the usage of bandwidth in such a situation since it only communicates or transmits the changes on the screen (or the file), keyboard strokes, mouse movements etc. The data which is the same is not at all transmitted over the network.
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