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Thin Clients Clearly Explained

  • 1st Edition - July 29, 1999
  • Latest edition
  • Authors: Joseph T. Sinclair, Michael Merkow
  • Language: English

A thin client is a Network Computer that runs Windows programs, providing the infrastructure that enables an Intranet to reach its full potential. The benefits of thin client… Read more

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Description

A thin client is a Network Computer that runs Windows programs, providing the infrastructure that enables an Intranet to reach its full potential. The benefits of thin client computers are the comparatively low cost and the ability to manage these machines centrally, providing convenience and efficiency. Employees who need computers but don't use them intensively can use thin clients to access corporate databases and corporate publishing through a Web browser, for email, for word processing, and even for GroupWare. This is a straightforward book that will be useful to officers, executives, supervisors, and many others who wish to implement and use thin clients on an Intranet.

Key features

* Informs network administrators how to deploy, use, maintain, and upgrade thin clients on their networks * Emphasizes WinFrame (thin clients) using Windows software, along with coverage of how dual clients can use Java* Features both Windows terminals and network computing devices* Explains why thin clients are more a software system than a hardware system

Readership

Officers, executives, supervisors, network administrators, employees, educators, trainers, professionals, and the self-employed who wish to implement and use thin clients/NCs on an intranet.

Table of contents

1 Introduction to Thin ClientsA Primer on Client-Server ComputingNetwork ComputersThe Citrix SystemThin ClientOther DefinitionsFor Whom?Summary

2 The Citrix Client - Windows TerminalX WindowCitrixCitrix FeaturesSummmary

3 The Network Computer ConceptNCsNC ConfigurationOracle NC Reference ProfileUsing JavaGaining PerspectiveSpeculationUsesSummary

4 Purchasing Thin ClientsDesktop Box?Powerful CPURAMSIMM Expansion SlotSVGA InterfaceAudioNetwork ConnectionKeyboardMouseParallel and Serial PortsFloppy Drive and Hard DriveCD DriveSmart Card SlotSoftwareBuy a PCRecycle a 486ServersSummary

5 Consumer Thin ClientsSet-TopsTV-Centric Web Access SystemsPresentationsVideo PhonesNewly Invented Thin Client DevicesBusiness UsesSummary

6 Deploying Thin Clients on IntranetsPhysical Server and Thin Client Hardware InstallationSetting Up Your Thin ClientServer AdministrationThin Client ConfigurationReady for TestingA Simplified Administrator's ChecklistPerformanceSummary

7 Using Thin Clients as Mainframe Terminal ReplacementsWhat Do Terminals Do?IBM Mainframe SystemsGatewaysTN3270What Do I Need in Order to Use TN3270?What Can I Do with TN3270?What Can't I Do with TN3270?Other TN3270 ConfigurationsNon-3270 Dumb TerminalsSummary

8 Thin Clients' Effect on the NetworkEthernetTCP/IPNetworks Where Thin Clients Are PresentSummary

9 Corporate CultureConsidering the SystemsPosing the QuestionAnswering the QuestionRedefining the Culture

10 The InternetEmailRemote AccessServicesKiosksEmployeesSecuritySummary

11 Extranets and Thin ClientsBridging the Internet and the IntranetWho's Benefiting From Extranets?Extranets Are Getting Help from the IndustryAll That Glitters Is Not GoldAnother View of ExtranetsSummary

12 Working at HomeThin ClientMaintenanceConnectionsSecurityEnablerStudents and TraineesWork GroupsKiosksVendors, Clients, Customers, and ContractorsSummary

13 Thin Client under the HoodMore about Thin ClientsThin Clients Rely on Open Computer StandardsLANs in the Early DaysNetworks of NetworksWhat Makes TCP/IP Tick?TCP and UCP-Based Thin Client RequirementsHow Thin Client Manufacturers Implement These StandardsSummary

14 Programming That Supports Thin ClientsProgramming BasicsClient-Server, Thin Clients, and the WebProgramming for the WebObject-Oriented Software TechnologySummary

15 Operating EnvironmentsThe Client-Server Model in a NutshellOperating SystemsNetwork Operating SystemsOperating InterfacesSummary

16 Windows Terminal Server and Windows TerminalsPricingWindows-based TerminalsKey Features of Windows-Based TerminalsNetPC Reference ProfileZero Administration for Windows (ZAW)Are Windows-based Terminals Right for You?Summary

17 Windows ProgramsDo You Need Windows Programs?Program LicensingControlled AccessThe BasicsSummary

18 Using JavaUsing Java Three WaysProgram SizeNaming Java FilesCompiling Java ProgramsJava CharacteristicsUsing HTML Applet StatementsJava Authoring ProgramsMore Java FactsJava in '00Summary

19 NC Intranet Software PackagesIBM's Network Computing Framework (NCF)Minimum Intranet Software Package RequirementsA Sampling of VendorsSummary

20 Browser-Based SoftwareOffice SuitesBrowsers and Email ClientsOther TCP/IP ProgramsLotus NotesTypes of GroupwareDevelopment SoftwareAnalyzing Webtop SoftwareSummary

21 Multimedia and Thin ClientsThe WebEmailVideo ConferencingThin ClientsSummary

22 DatabasesTypes of DatabasesTypes of Database PublishingSQLHTML FormsCGIWeb-Database Development ToolsQueriesAccessOracle and Other Scalable DatabasesLegacy DatabasesText Search TechnologySummary

23 Using Thin Clients for TrainingUsing Internet Building BlocksUsing ProgrammingTraveling and TrainingVendors Featuring WBTThin Clients and TrainingSummary

24 Document StandardizationTextConversionAcrobatSGML and XML DocumentsThe Paperless OfficePrint On DemandSummary

25 Training Personnel to Use Thin ClientsCitrixTraining HardwareTraining the Operating SystemTraining Basic ProgramsTraining with the Universal InterfaceTraining with EmailTwo Advantages for Java ProgramsRetrainingTraining via the InternetConclusion

26 Thin Client SecurityProtecting Data ResourcesCharacteristics of a Secure Thin Client EnvironmentNC Reference Profile SecurityPhysical-Logical Access ControlSmart CardsSummary

27 Thin Client AdministrationSupport Costs Are Less for Thin ClientsCommon Thin Client ConfigurationsMicrosoft's Response to PC Administration WoesWhen Should I Use Thin Clients?Administrator Tasks Will Either Make or Break the Thin ClientSummary

28 Organizational PoliciesWhere to Go from Here?Building Your Own PoliciesWho's Doing What?Summary

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: June 15, 2012
  • Language: English

About the authors

JS

Joseph T. Sinclair

A former board member and Education Director of the North Bay Multimedia Association, Joseph T. Sinclair founded the first Internet SIG in the San Francisco Bay Area and developed the first gourmet food store on the Web in 1994. Since then he has written four books about Internet technology. His interest in typography predates his first use of a computer for business in 1981, and he has used digital typography extensively since 1988 when the first robust typographical programming became available for DOS. He has used multimedia authoring programs since 1992 and is an expert int text-based multimedia authoring, including Web authoring. He currently covers Web technology for the Multimedia Reporter and is a Web developer. In the fall of 1996, IDG published Joseph Sinclair's book Creating Cool Web Databases, co-authored with Carol McCullough, and AP Pro published his book Intranet v. Lotus Notes, co-authored with David Hale. In the spring of 1997, Hayden published his book Java Web Magic, co-authored with Lee Callister. In the winter of 1998 Charles River Media published his book Developing Web Pages with TV HTML and AP Pro will publish his book Typography on the Web in the summer of 1998.
Affiliations and expertise
Sinclair & Associates, U.S.A.

MM

Michael Merkow

Mr. Merkow is currently a business systems analyst at the American Express network center in Phoenix. He has worked in various network and software engineering positions at both American Express andAllied-Signal Aerospace. His past positions include senior software engineer, program control engineer, and programming project leader. Healso operated his own software development company for seven years. Mr. Merkow holds the Certified Computing Professional in Management(CCP) designation.
Affiliations and expertise
American Express Network Center, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A.