Mailinglist Archive: opensuse-edu (292 mails)

[Malcolm Herbert <mherbert@xxxxxxxxxx>]

hi Paul and list

On Monday 26 March 2001 15:52, paul munro wrote:
> I have pondered the relative merits of thin-client solutions to the "fat
> client" alternative, and wanted some views on its merits (it was previously
> discussed here on this list in connection with OSiE and from then I have
> looked into it more).
>
> For example, I have noticed that the thin-client model requires a bigger
> server and one that after formation can only appear to handle up to 30
> clients with significant power. Does this raise the relative cost savings
> as opposed to using a fat-client model, or do away with them altogether. Or
> is it that the thin-client model does in fact save money both on server and
> clients?
>
ok, from an initial purchase point of view, thin clients will save you money, 
especially if you recycle, (a cost 20-50 quid for an upgraded network card), 
a 486/8Mb machine with a bootable network card will do it, 10Mbps card. 

however the big cost saving is with TCO (total cost of ownership), the 
configuration of server and all clients is all on the one machine, not 
scattered around 30 odd machines. 
servers are not neccessarily expensive, memory, disk space etc aren't 
expensive and also you can cluster smaller, lower spec machines (even just 
using the DNS a la Felsted)


> How does running thin-clients work when, say, multimedia useage is needed?
>

LTSP does support 'local apps' and can load kernel modules on the fly for 
sound, additional graphics etc. 

> Any takers?
>

yep, i'm a fan, especially as unlike Citrix you dont get bombed by the 
licensing costs, you can put this towards support and also more terminals
add in applications like rdesktop, Tarantella etc you can integrate fully 
with your existing NT4/Win2k terminal services if you need to.....

Malcolm
>
> Paul

-- 
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Malcolm Herbert
Red Hat Europe
t:+44 1483 734955 m:+44 7720 079845
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