Apr 12, 2009 as a person who works for dell i think your article about virtualization, thin clients, and energy consumption is really helpful. Nov 21, 2016 thin client vs thick client the classic example of a thin client is a web browser. Unlike thin clients, which lack hard drives and other features, thick clients are functional whether they are connected to a network or not. What are the pros and cons of using thin clients vs. In contrast, a thick client also called a fat client is one that will perform the bulk of the processing in client server applications. Infoworld s expert contributors show you how to get it right in this 24page server virtualization deep dive pdf guide. See what technologies are driving the evolution of the data center.
The difference between a thin client and a thick client. If youve got an office of 5 computers, its probably not worth bothering with thin clients, but i think even as few as 10 computers, its worth thinking about. A fat server is a type of server that provides most of the functionality to a client s machine within client server computing architecture. It is like a standard core server that hosts and provides key network based applications, storage, processing, internet access and other services. But those alleged benefits are irrelevant because fat is actually where its at. Mobile cloud computing, in which resourcerich virtual machines of smart mobile device are provided to a customer as a service, can be terrific solution for. Thin vs thick clients whitepaper blackpool 01253 304255. Ive seen many different definitions for these two client types, which can cause confusion. Originally known as just a client or thick client, the name is contrasted to thin client, which describes a computer heavily dependent on a servers applications. Citrix thin client and thick client xenapp and xendesktop. A thick client is more like a standalone application, which run on the client machine and communicates with the server. What is the difference between a thick and thin client.
Key differences between thin clients and zero clients for vdi. Difference between thin client and fat client solutions. The server does most of the work, which can include launching software programs, performing calculations, and storing data. A more recent concept in this genre is ultra thin client technology which takes the thin concept one step further by running the connection client software citrix, windows terminal services, telnet etc directly from the appliances hardware. Thin clients are basically more and more compelling the more of them you have. Thinclient deployment will offer substantial savings for enterprises with a quick return on investment. I would like to hear other peoples advice on when one should build a web application versus building a thick client. In order for users to successfully transmit orders from centricity emr to emrlink, the emrlink connector. I agree with the above answers,the below answer will give strength. It is understood that the client has approximately 50 computers on site and the solutions provided should take this size into account when providing cost justifications. This is a marked difference to legacy thinclient hardware. They have components one would expect to find in their fat client counterparts including processors, memory, storage, usb ports, and os. You start your computer and arrive at your desktop.
On the other hand, the zero clients only have access to applications available to them from the data center server. Although the term thin client often refers to software, it is increasingly used for the computers, such as network computers and net pcs, that are designed to serve as the clients for client server architectures. Hps client virtualisation offerings enable a hybrid model that uses a range of virtualisation. Heres the information you need to know to help decide if thin clients are right for your. These features will offer thin client mobile applications the ability to act more like thick client apps. At many of todays progressive companies, the search for thin client technology starts with a comparison on thin client vs thick client.
The perception that thin client webtohost technologies will soon replace fat client pctohost software tools seems to be in contrast with the reality of the host connectivity world as seen by connectivity software manufacturers positioning thin client and fat client hostaccess tools as complementary rather than exclusive technologies. Most of us run browsers as an application in a thick client, such as firefox in windows. For one, the exact makeup of a hardware thin client varies. Thin client vs thick client the classic example of a thin client is a web browser. Virtualization, thin clients, and energy consumption the. Thin client if i get this straight, in the terminology below a. I think there is little doubt that all of the sun assignments can be solved successfully through either a thin or thick client approach people have been successful using both and thank goodness for that where would we be if there was a single silver bullet to the project. Thin clients are actually less expensive than pcs or fat clients.
Most smartphone operating systems have native webkitbased browsers with strong support for html 5. Login to, and under the downloads tab, download the emrlink connector. Thin versus thick client architectures for tracking industrial operations introduction this monograph was written to provide some thoughts about whether an organization should go with a thick client or a thin client architecture when implementing a software application to track jobs, materials, labor and equipment in realtime in an. Direct costs 5565% capital hardware, software 2025%. A basic intro to dns and thin and fat clients youtube. These functions include storing and retrieving data and programs or apps, and local processing. Because of the connectivity issue, companies first need to ensure that the network is suitable for thin clients, which need enough speed and bandwidth to transmit data. Native support for audio and video no more flash offline application caching. Ward helped me through a very difficult time while.
Lowber research note 28 september 2001 thinclient vs. Having used some actual thin clients, its not bad, though i wouldnt want to game on it. A thin client is designed to be especially small so that the bulk of the data processing occurs on the server. These are the two common architectures for putting. A thin client is a computing device thats connected to a network. Thin client vs thick client for scada ecava igx web scada. And, in the lingo popular with the younger set today, thin clients definitely arent phat. Posted on november 14, 2017 march 26, 2020 by andrew. Pros and cons of thick clientthin client ocmjd forum at. Plan, architect and test before deploying thin clients or you will just end up moving your fat client problems back to the data center, says mcallister. The major thin client vendors include large enterprises that offer thin clients as part of their extensive product lineups, as well as smaller businesses that specialize in producing this type of computer.
Lowber research note 28 september 2001 thin client vs. Not only is the upfront cost of purchasing a thin client less than a pc, thin clients also expend less energy. The most common type of thin clients run on linux, windows embedded win xpeweswes7 and to a lesser degree windows ce. Distributed client and fat vs thin clients nexus software. So basically, i would say citrix technology allows for fat clients to be installed on the citrix server and then accessed like thin clients. Companies are now realizing that user desktops are looking much slimmer thanks to powerful and costeffective smart thin client technology.
Below we will discuss the differences between thin clients and zero clients. Some systems adopted a thin or fat client service mode 19 to balance the workload between the users workstation and the visualization server. Of all the jargon the tech world usually has for its computers and components, the name of thin and thick clients probably elicits the most accurate image of what they really are. The configuration process is another factor that compares thin clients vs. Teradici is the creator of the pcoip remoting protocol technology and cloud access software, the leading solution for a cloudready future.
Thinclient vs fatclient computing knowledgeone corporation. The debate over the merits of a fat client oriented architecture vs a thin client architecture has been one of the great canonical programming arguments. Thin clients have several pros, but a few cons to consider as well. Group, there are a number of important steps agencies should take to help ease the transition from fat to thin clients. A thick client is a client that performs functions independent of a serve. The emrlink connector is the executable responsible for making a secure connection from.
This video is part of a course on social networking technologies taught by bob boiko at the university of washington. In the traditional approach, one simply provides each user with their own computer, install microsoft word, excel, outlook, etc. The more data and processing done, the thicker the client becomes. Fat client tco enterprises deploying thin clients expect a substantial tco benefit, but our analysis shows that there may be no tco benefit at all, depending on pc management best practices and on thin client. Feasibility study and cost benefit analysis of thinclient.
For example, take two different calendar applications. The company, founded in 2004, is focused on its core mission of seamless delivery of workstations and applications for endusers. Virtualization reduces operating and capital costs, improves utilization of computing resources and greater it staff productivity. It contrasts the fat client implementation of mas 90 with the thin client of mas 200. A fat client also called heavy, rich or thick client is a computer clients, in client server architecture or networks, that typically provides rich functionality independent of the central server. Thin client versus fatclient computing mckennas four laws definitions fatclient computing refers to a multitier client server paradigm where in the simplest model the client part of the application i. Thin clients have the ability for installed applications such as browsers, email clients, office pdf viewers as well as, connectivity to any legacy client server application.
Key considerations in choosing a zero client environment for view virtual desktops in vmware horizon. This contrasts with a fat client or a conventional personal computer. In a typical fatclient application the majority of. The important part is that the processing power operates separately from the browser client machine. What are thin clients and their close cousins zero client devices.
A thick client is also known as a fat client or rich client. The trend is a move from traditional client server architecture to a webbased model. Lots of work is done with large, scanned in pdf files. However, one workstation can be as thin as a dumb terminalgreen screen supporting data entry only, while another on the same network can be as fat as a pc. The thickness of a client refers to how much processing is done and how much data is stored on the client device versus the servers it interacts with. A fat client still requires at least periodic connection to a network or central server, but is often characterised by the ability to perform many functions without that connection. Igx scada was designed for thin client architecture from the ground up, to be exact, its a browser server architecture that open to run with any standard web content natively. Most pc s personal computers, for example, are fat clients because they have their own hard drivedvd drives, software applications. If you spend much time talking to other p21 erp users about an issue you are having with epicor prophet 21, you are likely to be asked something like. Apr 12, 2010 a hardware thin client is a device that has been created specifically to run thinclient software and little else. Unlike a typical pc or fat client, that has the memory, storage and computing power to run applications and perform computing tasks on its own, a thin client functions as a virtual desktop, using the computing power residing on networked servers.
Find answers to difference between thin client and fat client from the expert community at experts exchange. A basic intro to dns and thin and fa t clients devul nahar. Thin client systems are simple computers designed to get all their software and files from a centralized server. They tend to be purchased and remain thin in terms of the client applications they include. The zero client v thin client difference evolve ip. Ill cover the following topics in the code samples below. Fatthin client for mobile applications and the proposed way. These devices can handle the most graphic demanding applications and can support the. Zero clients will only have applications provisioned to them from the desktop server. According to david, thin clients and zero clients are on the rise because both are generally cheaper than thick clients, are simple to install and replace, require less maintenance, and potentially can improve security. Thus, the thin client offers a wellrounded desktop experience with browsers, email clients, office pdf viewers and connectivity to legacy client server applications. At times, thin may be defined as simply not needing the software or operating system installed on the user machine. Contents weighing the pros and cons of thin clients vs. A fat client sometimes called a thick client is a networked computer with most resources installed locally, rather than distributed over a network as is the case with a thin client.
Clients on a client server network store their application data on a central server. Six myths of zero client computing the move away from traditional pcs fat clients to thin clients has been happening for more than a decade. Without a network connection, they offer limited functionality. Thin client devices for vdi are traditionally endpoint devices with some type of skinny, lockeddown os. Thinclient vs fatclient computing knowledgeone corp. A thin client is a lightweight computer that has been optimized for establishing a remote. By considering the particular strengths of thick clients vs. Thin clients are usually configured using a template from previous thin client configurations and therefore makes managing the devices very simple and can be done by a single it administrator either locally or remotely.
Moving forward, we will explore the real difference between thin clients and zero clients. Nov, 2018 however, they can benefit from being connected to a network and a server. A fat client is a computer clients, in clientserver architecture or networks, that typically provides rich functionality independent of the central server. Over the last few years, i have participated in several discussions about whet. Its easy to compare it with the dumb terminal or diskless workstation of old, albeit with better graphics, but there are some other differences. In thin client technology, a terminal server will be deployed in host pc or server and it. Ill give you savings, standardization and simplicity. Thick clients, also called heavy clients, are fullfeatured computers that are connected to a network. Fat clients in a world where thin is beautiful, i have to wonder why thin client is a fourletter word.
Fatclient tco enterprises deploying thin clients expect a substantial tco benefit, but our analysis shows that there may be no tco benefit at all, depending on pc management best practices and on thinclient migration costs. In contrast, a thin client generally does as little processing as possible, relying on access to the server each time input data needs to be processed or validated. The real difference between thin clients and zero clients. Differences between thick and thin clients webopedia. Thin client vs fat client hi all, what is the difference bw fat client and thin client applications please tell me with some examples thanks in adv. A thin client is a lightweight vague computer that has been optimized for establishing a remote connection with a serverbased computing environment. Peter lowber, gartner research sept 28, 2001 switching from pcs to thin clients will help your enterprise reduce costs across the board. Typically, users prefer fat client computers over thin clients because fat clients allow easy customization and greater control over.
Thin clients, fat clients, dumb terminals we delve deeper into why joan is the fort knox of meeting room booking systems. The invention of the ibm pc and the development of the thickclient system. Thin clients are lightweight computers that replace your desktop computer. Microsoft is the primary thick client enabler, and still provides the vast majority of personal computers with an os and multiple applications designed to run as a selfcontained system. For certain corporations and situations implementing thin clients and a terminal server farm can provide reduced total cost of ownership tco and reduced support requirements. Thick clients have their own operating system and software applications and can. As a comparison, most traditional scadas was created as a thick client, or even without supporting any remote client by default. A thin client machine is going to communicate with a central processing server, meaning there is little hardware and software installed on the users machine. A thin client is a computer that has no processing power. Zero clients can be contrasted with thin clients and thick clients. Thin clients are lightweight devices designed to replace desktop pcs in a virtual desktop environment. The first is a calendar app that lives on a smart phone. I think the core point would be that because of the way licensing works you have to buy the client, pay for a license for the client, a license for all software used on the client if youre going to be legal, it ends up actually being more expensive than a bottom line, but still capable full pc.
A fat client is a networked computer with many locallystored programs or resources and little dependence on network resources, such as auxiliary drives, cdrwdvd players or software applications. Thin client vs fat client security of meeting room. It can be the client application for anyones server application. Thin client to resolve the error, a user may be able to retrieve a copy of the connector from an existing location on the network, but it is typically a better idea to browse out to and download a brand new version. At times, thin may be defined as simply not needing the software. Not to mention outlook ost files that are about 1215 gb average in size. Why companies want thin, not fat, clients direct2dell. This video compares thin client workstations to a traditional pc workstation. Thin clients are similar to zero clients, but they contain a local operating system, cpu, flash memory, and local storage. It downloads new virus definitions from the server, but then runs its scan on the client machine without further communication to the server. Distributed client and fat vs thin clients by mike buffington, chief architect from. Essentially, a thin client is a barebones computer that serves to remote into a server, which handles all the computational load that the local computer fat client normally handles. With thick clients, there is no need for continuous server communications as it is mainly communicating archival storage information to the server.
Key considerations in choosing a zero client environment. They arent very interesting on their own but offer a wide range of functionality by connecting to a variety of web servers. Thin clients and zero clients are both small form factor, solid state computing devices, specifically designed for a server based typology, currently generally associated with desktop virtualization vdi, but they have many different characteristics that are important to distinguish. Thin client,there is no need of software to be installed in. Thin client vs fat client on network design computers and. Thin client means most of the visualizationsteps are processed at the visualization server, while fat client has most of the visualizationsteps processed at a client workstation. This is another article found in the depths of our archives about client server architecture. A fatclient application utilizes existing computing resources such as desktop pcs and lan. The only thing the user needs to have installed to do this is the citrix client to decipher the visual stream. As in the case of a thin client, the term is often used to. The purpose of this report is to explain the technical aspects of thin and thick clients as well as the financial costs for each of the options. A move to virtualization is not an easy exercise, and agencies need to be ready for all the potential pitfalls.