Thin client
A thin client (sometimes called a lean or slim client) is a client computer (or software) in Client/Server architecture networks. It primarily depends on the central server for processing activities, and mainly focuses on conveying input and output between the client and the remote server. In contrast, a fat client does as much processing as possible and passes only data for communications and storage to the server.
Fundamentals of thin client function is that all significant processing occurs on the server. So many thin client devices run only web browsers or remote desktop software. Some thin clients are also called "access terminals (you can know it from Terminal/Host architecture)."
Thin client as a PC
The thin client is a PC with less of everything. In designing a computer system, there are decisions to be made about processing, storage, software and user interface. In a thin Client/Server system, the only software that is installed on the thin client is the user interface, certain frequently used applications, and a networked operating system. This software is loaded from a local drive or the server at boot. The embedded OS in a thin client is stored in a "flash drive", in a Disk on Module (DOM), or is downloaded over the network at boot-up. Thanks to this it can be a very small, low-powered device giving lower costs to purchase and to operate per seat.
The server has the full weight of all the applications, services, and data. This has a lot of advantages. One of them is that by keeping a few servers busy and many thin clients lightly loaded, you can expect lower costs. Beside this the system management should be easier you’ll have an advantage in central storage/backup and easier security management.
A single PC can usually power five or more thin clients. A more powerful PC or server can support up to a hundred thin clients at a time. A high-end server can power over 700 clients.
Thin client as an Application program
A thin client also could be an application program which communicates with an application server and relies for most significant elements of its business logic on a separate piece of software, an application server, typically running on a host computer in Local Area Network (LAN) or in Wide Area Networks (WAN). The thin client does most of its processing on a server with as little hardware and software as possible at the client location, and as much as necessary at some centralized managed site.
Examples of this type of software-only thin client include AnywhereTS, PXES and Thinstation. Knoppix, Puppy Linux and Lan Core and LISCON Managed Desktop are also pursuing this market. Another example on the Windows platform is the BeTwin program by the Thinsoft.
Thin clients are a great investment for schools and businesses who want to maximize the number of workstations they can purchase on a budget.
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