Thin Clients Clearly Explained

by Sinclair, Joseph T.; Merkow, Mark S.

• ISBN13: 9780126455359
• ISBN10: 012645535X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-06-01
• Publisher: Elsevier Science Ltd

Summary

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. * 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

Table of Contents

Introduction to Thin Clients	1	(20)
A Primer on Client--Server Computing	2	(9)
Client--Server	2	(1)
Hardware	2	(1)
Peer to Peer	3	(1)
Server to Client	3	(1)
Software	4	(1)
LANs	5	(1)
WANs	5	(2)
Internet	7	(1)
Intranets	7	(1)
Extranets	8	(1)
Server-Side and Client-Side Programming	8	(1)
Server Side	8	(1)
Client Side	9	(1)
Cross-Platform	10	(1)
Convenience	11	(1)
Network Computers	11	(4)
NC Hardware Idea	12	(1)
NC Software Idea	12	(2)
CGI Applications	14	(1)
Java	14	(1)
The Hardware Idea Revisited	15	(1)
The Citrix System	15	(2)
Windoows NT	16	(1)
Citrix Client	16	(1)
Hardware	16	(1)
Dual Client Computers	17	(1)
Thin Client	17	(1)
Other Definitions	18	(1)
For Whom?	18	(1)
Summary	19	(2)
The Citrix Client--Windows Terminal	21	(18)
X Window	22	(3)
The Holy Grail of Client--Server Computing	24	(1)
Today's Thin Clints Are Rooted in X Window	24	(1)
Citrix	25	(9)
Winframe and ICA	25	(1)
Current Version	26	(1)
New Arrangement	26	(2)
Preserving Your LAN Software Investment	28	(1)
A Session with Winframe	28	(1)
How Many Servers Will You Need?	29	(2)
Citrix Licensees	31	(1)
Sun	31	(1)
Microsoft	31	(1)
Winterm	32	(1)
Boundless	32	(1)
QUE	32	(1)
@workStation	33	(1)
NTRIGUE	33	(1)
WinDD	33	(1)
WinCenter	33	(1)
IBM	34	(1)
NTED	34	(1)
Citrix Features	34	(2)
Summary	36	(3)
The Network Computer Concept	39	(24)
NCs	40	(1)
NC Configuration	40	(1)
Oracle NC Reference Profile	41	(8)
Minimum Hardware Capability	43	(1)
VGA or Equivalent	43	(1)
Pointing Device	44	(1)
Tex Input	44	(1)
Audio Output	44	(1)
Network Protocols	44	(1)
TCP/IP --- Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol	45	(1)
FTP --- File Transfer Protocol	45	(1)
Telnet	45	(1)
NFS --- Network File System	45	(1)
UDP --- User Datagram Protocol	45	(1)
SNMP --- Simple Network Management Protocol	45	(1)
DHCP or BootP --- Dynamic Host Configuration or Boot Protocol	45	(1)
Web Standards	46	(1)
HTML --- Hypertext Markup Language	46	(1)
HTTP --- Hypertext Transfer Protocol	46	(1)
Java Application Environment	46	(1)
Email Protocols	46	(1)
SMTP --- Simple Mail Transfer Protocol	46	(1)
IMAP4 --- Internet Message Access Protocol	46	(1)
POP3 --- Post Office Protocol	47	(1)
Multimedia Formats	47	(1)
JPEG	47	(1)
GIF	47	(1)
WAV	48	(1)
AU	48	(1)
Security (Optional)	48	(1)
ISO 7816 --- Smart Cards	48	(1)
Europay/MasterCard/VISA --- Credit Cards	49	(1)
Comments	49	(1)
Using Java	49	(2)
Gaining Perspective	51	(2)
Citrix and Windows NT Terminal	51	(1)
Dual Client Computers	52	(1)
Speculation	53	(4)
Programming Availability	53	(1)
Versatility	54	(1)
Cost	55	(1)
Replace PCs?	56	(1)
Replace Dumb Terminals?	56	(1)
Public Computers	57	(1)
Uses	57	(3)
Office	57	(1)
Databases	57	(2)
Groupware	59	(1)
Summary	60	(3)
Purchasing Thin Clients	63	(16)
Desktop Box?	63	(1)
Powerful CPU	64	(1)
RAM	65	(1)
SIMM Expansion Slot	65	(1)
SVGA Interface	66	(2)
Audio	68	(1)
Network Connection	68	(1)
Keyboard	69	(1)
Mouse	69	(1)
Parallel and Serial Ports	69	(1)
Floppy Drive and Hard Drive	70	(1)
CD Drive	70	(1)
Smart Card Slot	71	(1)
Personal Desktop	71	(1)
Security	71	(1)
Finance	72	(1)
Smart Card Standard	72	(1)
Software	72	(3)
Operating System	73	(1)
Basic Programming	73	(1)
Network Programming	74	(1)
Buy a PC	75	(1)
Recycle a 486	75	(2)
Servers	77	(1)
Summary	77	(2)
Consumer Thin Clients	79	(10)
Set-Tops	79	(1)
TV-Centric Web Access Systems	80	(3)
WebTV	81	(1)
Sun	81	(1)
Navio	82	(1)
Traditional ISPs	82	(1)
Presentations	83	(2)
Video Phones	85	(1)
Newly Invented Thin Client Devices	85	(1)
Business Uses	86	(2)
Substitute for a PC	86	(1)
Presentations	87	(1)
Training	87	(1)
Summary	88	(1)
Deploying Thin Clients on Intranets	89	(16)
Physical Server and Thin Client Hardware Installation	91	(1)
Some Basic Assumptions	91	(1)
Setting Up Your Thin Client	92	(1)
Setting Up the Servers	93	(1)
Server Administration	93	(3)
Hardware Administrative Work	93	(2)
User Administrative Work	95	(1)
Thin Client Configuration	96	(3)
Installing the Thin Client Operating System	96	(1)
Configuring the thin client	96	(1)
Startup Settings	96	(1)
Thin Client Network Settings	97	(1)
Keyboard and Mouse Settings	98	(1)
Token Ring Network Settings	98	(1)
Advanced Settings	99	(1)
Ready for Testing	99	(1)
A Simplified Administrator's Checklist	100	(2)
Performance	102	(1)
Summary	103	(2)
Using Thin Clients as Mainframe Terminal Replacements	105	(14)
What Do Terminals Do?	106	(5)
The 3270 Family	107	(1)
What's a Teleprocessor?	108	(1)
What Possibilities When Thin Clients Used Instead of Terminals?	109	(2)
IBM Mainframe Systems	111	(2)
Gateways	113	(1)
TN3270	114	(2)
What Do I Need in Order to Use TN3270?	116	(1)
TN3270 Server	116	(1)
TN3270 Client	116	(1)
What Can I Do with TN3270?	116	(1)
What Can't I Do with TN3270?	117	(1)
Other TN3270 Configurations	117	(1)
Non-3270 Dumb Terminals	118	(1)
Summary	118	(1)
Thin Clients' Effect on the Network	119	(14)
Ethernet	121	(3)
What Does a Network Interface Unit (NID) Do?	121	(1)
Ethernet Implementations	122	(1)
Carrier-Sense Multiple Access With Collision Detection (CSMA/CD)	123	(1)
Carrier Sense	123	(1)
Multiple Access	123	(1)
Collision Detection	124	(1)
TCP/IP	124	(1)
Networks Where Thin Clients Are Present	124	(6)
How Should You Configure a Thin Client Network?	125	(1)
What Are the Users' Work Patterns?	125	(1)
How Many Operations per Day and per Second?	125	(1)
How Many Users?	126	(1)
How Much Impact Can You Expect from Browser Use?	126	(1)
Which Applications Run Server-Side Scripts?	126	(1)
What Types of Applications Need More Server CPU Power?	126	(1)
Performance Management	127	(1)
Bottlenecks	127	(1)
Performance Management Tools	127	(1)
Network-Related Data You Can Collect	128	(1)
Items to Ignore	128	(1)
Thin Client, Fat Servers	129	(1)
Application Protocols: X Window or Citrix?	129	(1)
Some Practical Considerations for Mixed Computer Networks	130	(1)
Summary	131	(2)
Corporate Culture	133	(10)
Considering the Systems	134	(1)
Mainframe	134	(1)
Client--Server	134	(1)
PCs	135	(1)
Posing the Question	135	(6)
LANs	135	(1)
WANs	136	(1)
Grassroots	136	(1)
Intranet	137	(1)
Teams	138	(1)
Departments	138	(1)
Database Access	139	(1)
Two Extremes	139	(1)
Clerical Workers	139	(1)
Executives	140	(1)
Other Employees	141	(1)
Answering the Question	141	(1)
Redefining the Culture	142	(1)
The Internet	143	(14)
Email	144	(1)
Remote Access	145	(2)
Employees in the Field	145	(1)
Remote Sites	145	(1)
Traveling Employees	146	(1)
Services	147	(3)
Vendors and Customers	147	(1)
Communications	147	(1)
Publishing	148	(1)
Software Services	148	(1)
Database Services	149	(1)
ISP Services	149	(1)
Internet Centers	150	(1)
Kiosks	150	(3)
Kiosks Everywhere	151	(1)
Customer Service	151	(1)
Thin Clients Not on Your Intranet	152	(1)
Employees	153	(1)
Corporate Cultural Shock	154	(1)
Surfing	154	(1)
Security	154	(2)
Summary	156	(1)
Extranets and Thin Clients	157	(14)
Bridging the Internet and the Intranet	158	(3)
Who's Benefiting from Extranets?	161	(3)
SELine on the Web	162	(1)
The Big 3 Network	163	(1)
HOPS for the Web	163	(1)
Extranets Are Getting Help from the Industry	164	(2)
The Extranet Alliance	164	(1)
What Is Crossware?	165	(1)
All That Glitters Is Not Gold	166	(2)
Another View of Extranets	168	(2)
Tunnels through the Internet	168	(2)
Using the Internet	170	(1)
Summary	170	(1)
Working at Home	171	(10)
Thin Client	172	(1)
Maintenance	173	(1)
Connections	173	(4)
Dial-up Connection	173	(1)
Dedicated Connection	174	(2)
Wireless Connection	176	(1)
Security	177	(1)
Enabler	177	(1)
Students and Trainees	177	(1)
Work Groups	178	(1)
Kiosks	178	(1)
Vendors, Clients, Customers, and Contractors	179	(1)
Summary	179	(2)
Thin Client under the Hood	181	(16)
More about Thin Clients	182	(1)
Thin Clients Rely on Open Computer Industry Standards	183	(1)
LANS in the Early Days	183	(4)
Birth of the LAN	184	(1)
TCP/IP to the Rescue	185	(2)
Networks of Networks	187	(1)
What Makes TCP/IP Tick?	188	(2)
UDP	189	(1)
TCP	189	(1)
TCP and UDP-Based Thin Client Requirements	190	(4)
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)	190	(1)
BOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol)	191	(1)
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)	191	(1)
Email Protocols	191	(1)
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)	191	(1)
Post Office Protocol (POP3)	192	(1)
Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP4)	192	(1)
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME)	192	(1)
World Wide Web Protocols	193	(1)
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)	193	(1)
Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP)	193	(1)
TCP/IP Application Layer Protocols	193	(1)
Telnet	193	(1)
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)	193	(1)
Network File System (NFS)	194	(1)
How Thin Client Manufacturers Implement These Standards	194	(1)
Summary	194	(3)
Programming That Supports Thin Clients	197	(18)
Programming Basics	197	(3)
Assemblers and Compilers	198	(1)
Debugging	198	(1)
Interpretive Languages	199	(1)
Functional Orientation	200	(1)
Client-Server, Thin Clients, and the Web	200	(1)
Programming for the Web	200	(7)
The C Programming Language	201	(1)
Web Forms and the Common Gateway Interface (CGI)	202	(1)
perl	202	(5)
Object-Oriented Software Technology	207	(7)
Object-Oriented Modeling	207	(1)
Objects of Desire	207	(1)
Example of an Object	208	(1)
Systems	209	(1)
Object-Oriented Programming	210	(1)
Class Libraries	211	(1)
Java Workshop	211	(1)
Distributed Objects	211	(1)
Object Request Brokers	212	(1)
Distributed Object Standards	213	(1)
CORBA/IIOP	213	(1)
DCOM	214	(1)
Java	214	(1)
Summary	214	(1)
Operating Environments	215	(16)
The Client--Server Model in a Nutshell	215	(3)
Two Tiers of Processing	216	(1)
Adding Another Tier	217	(1)
The Layered Approach	218	(1)
Operating Systems	218	(1)
Network Operating Systems	219	(7)
Network Server Devices	220	(2)
Network Client Devices	222	(1)
Novell Netware	223	(1)
Novell IntraNetware	223	(1)
Banyan VINES	224	(1)
Microsoft Windows NT (Windows 2000)	225	(1)
Unix Operating Systems	225	(1)
Operating Interfaces	226	(4)
X Window	227	(1)
Citrix	227	(1)
NC	228	(1)
Dual Clients	228	(2)
Summary	230	(1)
Windows Terminal Server and Windows Terminals	231	(14)
Pricing	234	(1)
Windows-based Terminals	235	(1)
Key Features of Windows-Based Terminals	236	(2)
NetPC Reference Profile	238	(3)
General Requirements	238	(1)
Distinguishing Features	238	(3)
Zero Administration for Windows (ZAW)	241	(2)
TaskStation Mode	241	(1)
AppStation Mode	242	(1)
Are Windows-based Terminals Right for You?	243	(1)
Summary	244	(1)
Windows Programs	245	(8)
Do You Need Windows Programs?	246	(1)
Program Licensing	247	(2)
Controlled Access	249	(1)
The Basics	250	(1)
Summary	250	(3)
Using Java	253	(34)
Using Java Three Ways	254	(6)
Using Java Scripts	254	(3)
Using Java Applets	257	(2)
Using Java Applications	259	(1)
Using Java Servlets	260	(1)
Program Size	260	(1)
Naming Java Files	261	(1)
Code Files	261	(1)
Class Files	262	(1)
Compiling Java Programs	262	(1)
Java Characteristics	263	(4)
Client Side	264	(1)
Server Side	264	(1)
Persistence and Security	265	(1)
Stability	265	(1)
Cross-Platform	265	(1)
Object-Oriented	266	(1)
Distributed Objects	267	(1)
Using HTML Aplet Statements	267	(10)
Installing Applets	269	(1)
Parameters	270	(5)
Codebase	275	(1)
Archives	275	(1)
Remote Web Sites	275	(1)
Size and Position	276	(1)
Ease of Use	277	(1)
Java Authoring Programs	277	(2)
Smart Table	278	(1)
Implications	279	(1)
More Java Facts	279	(5)
Java Beans	279	(1)
JDBC	280	(1)
Channels	280	(2)
Browsers	282	(1)
Types of Java	282	(1)
Norwest Mortgage	283	(1)
Java in '00	284	(1)
Summary	285	(2)
NC Intranet Software Packages	287	(16)
IBM's Network Computing Framework (NCF)	288	(2)
Content Management Solutions --- How to Get the Most Mileage out of Information	288	(1)
Collaborative Systems --- Groupware Organizational Teamwork	289	(1)
Commerce Solutions --- Finding Better Ways to Service a Company's Customers and Partners	289	(1)
Minimum Intranet Software Package Requirements	290	(1)
A Sampling of Vendors	291	(11)
Neoware @workstation and NeoStation Thin Client Software Features and Benefits	291	(1)
NCDware	292	(1)
IBM's Network Computing Framework	292	(1)
The Acorn NC	293	(1)
NCI (Network Computer, Inc.)	294	(3)
Sun Microsystems	297	(1)
MailView	298	(1)
CalendarView	298	(1)
Name View	299	(1)
Info View	300	(1)
Applix	300	(1)
Introspection Helps Selection	301	(1)
Summary	302	(1)
Browser-Based Software	303	(18)
Office Suites	304	(5)
Applix	304	(1)
Applix Anyware Office	304	(3)
Applix Data	307	(1)
Applix Enterprise	307	(1)
Corel Office Java	308	(1)
Cooper & Peters (Microsoft)	308	(1)
Oracle	308	(1)
IBM	309	(1)
Browsers and Email Clients	309	(1)
Other TCP/IP Programs	310	(1)
Lotus Notes	311	(1)
Types of Groupware	311	(5)
Communication	311	(1)
Work Management	312	(1)
Conferencing	313	(2)
Publishing	315	(1)
Development Software	316	(3)
Smart Table	317	(1)
Emblaze	318	(1)
Web Authoring Software	319	(1)
Reading Software	319	(1)
Analyzing Webtop Software	319	(1)
Summary	320	(1)
Multimedia and Thin Clients	321	(24)
The Web	321	(16)
Text	322	(1)
HTML	322	(1)
Reading on Monitors	323	(1)
Hypertext	323	(1)
Word Processor Documents	323	(2)
Software	325	(1)
Audio	326	(1)
Graphics	327	(1)
GIF	328	(1)
JPEG	328	(1)
Resolution and Color Density	329	(2)
Using Graphic Files	331	(1)
Video	332	(2)
Web Multimedia	334	(1)
Interactivity	335	(1)
Embedded Programs	336	(1)
Bandwidth	336	(1)
Email	337	(4)
MIME Email	338	(1)
HTML Email	338	(1)
A-Mail	338	(2)
V-Mail	340	(1)
Thin Clients and Multimedia Mail	341	(1)
Video Conferencing	341	(1)
Thin Clients	341	(1)
Summary	342	(3)
Databases	345	(22)
Types of Databases	346	(4)
Flat-File	346	(1)
Relational	347	(2)
Object-Oriented	349	(1)
Hybrid	349	(1)
Types of Database Publishing	350	(6)
Static	350	(1)
Interactive	351	(1)
Operational Interactivity	351	(1)
Tracking Web Site Visitors	351	(1)
Flat-File	352	(1)
Application File	353	(1)
Client--Server	354	(1)
Scalable	355	(1)
SQL	356	(1)
HTML Forms	357	(1)
CGI	357	(1)
Java	357	(1)
Client--Server	357	(1)
JDBC	358	(1)
Web--Database Development Tools	358	(1)
Queries	358	(1)
Access	359	(2)
Desktop Database: Access	359	(1)
Cold Fusion	359	(1)
CFHML	359	(2)
Oracle and Other Scalable Databases	361	(1)
Oracle	361	(1)
Net Dynamics	361	(1)
Informix	362	(1)
Legacy Databases	362	(3)
Java	362	(1)
Single Database Applications	362	(1)
Multiple Database Applications	363	(1)
CGI Alternative	363	(2)
Text Search Technology	365	(1)
Summary	366	(1)
Using Thin Clients for Training	367	(14)
Using Internet Building Blocks	369	(7)
Email	369	(1)
Conference Software	370	(1)
Seminar Program	370	(1)
MUDs and MOOs	370	(1)
Chat Programs	371	(1)
Audio	371	(1)
Video	372	(1)
VRML	373	(1)
Web	373	(2)
Groupware	375	(1)
Multimedia Plug-Ins	375	(1)
Training for the PC?	376	(1)
Using Programming	376	(1)
Traveling and Training	377	(1)
Vendors Featuring WBT	378	(1)
Thin Clients and Training	379	(1)
Summary	380	(1)
Document Standardization	381	(18)
Text	382	(4)
ASCII	382	(1)
HTML Documents	383	(1)
Word Processor Documents	383	(1)
RTF Documents	384	(1)
Office Documents	385	(1)
Conversion	386	(2)
HTML Conversion	386	(1)
Word Processor Templates	387	(1)
Document Systems	387	(1)
Basic ASCII Text	387	(1)
Acrobat	388	(1)
SGML and XML Documents	389	(1)
The Paperless Office	390	(7)
Reading on a Computer Monitor	390	(3)
Typpesetting for the Web	393	(2)
Multimedia Internet Documents	395	(1)
The New Email	396	(1)
Print on Demand	397	(1)
Summary	397	(2)
Training Personnel to Use Thin Clients	399	(12)
Citrix	400	(1)
Training Hardware	400	(3)
Drives	400	(1)
Connections	401	(1)
Smart Cards	401	(1)
Commodity Item	402	(1)
Training the Operating System	403	(1)
Training Basic Programs	403	(1)
Training with the Universal Interface	404	(3)
Web Browser	404	(1)
CGI Scripts	404	(1)
Web--Database Applications	405	(1)
HTML	405	(1)
Java	406	(1)
Look and Feel	407	(1)
Training with Email	407	(1)
Two Advantages for Java Programs	408	(1)
Retraining	409	(1)
Training via the Intranet	409	(1)
Conclusion	409	(2)
Thin Client Security	411	(16)
Protecting Data Resources	411	(3)
How Secure Is Your System?	413	(1)
Characteristics of a Secure Thin Client Environment	414	(1)
NC Reference Profile Security	415	(1)
Physical--Logical Access Control	416	(3)
Physical Access Control	417	(1)
Logical Access Control	418	(1)
Smart Cards	419	(6)
How Does Encryption Work?	420	(1)
Digital Certificates	421	(1)
What Do You Use Digital Certificates For?	422	(3)
Summary	425	(2)
Thin Client Administration	427	(16)
Support Costs Are Less for Thin Clients	428	(1)
Common Thin Client Configurations	429	(4)
Replacing Dumb, Text-Based Legacy System Teminals	430	(1)
Connecting to Enterprise Systems in a Two-Tier Architecture	430	(1)
Connecting to Windows Enterprise Systems Using Citrix	431	(1)
Connecting to Enterprise Systems in a Three-Tier Architecture	432	(1)
Connecting Thin Clients Using Private Lines or the Internet	432	(1)
Microsoft's Response to PC Administration Woes	433	(4)
Novell ZEN Works	434	(3)
Citrix WinFrame and Independent Computing Architecture	437	(1)
When Should I Use Thin Clients?	437	(1)
Administrator Tasks Will Either Make or Break the Thin Client	438	(4)
IBM Network Station Manager	439	(1)
The Netscape Administration Kit	440	(1)
Desirable Administration Software Features	441	(1)
Citrix Impacts on the Network	441	(1)
Summary	442	(1)
Organizational Policies	443	(1)
Where to Go from Here?	444	(1)
Building Your Own Policies	445	(1)
Planning	446	(1)
Procurement	446	(1)
Thin Client and PC Standards	446	(1)
Systems Development Standards	446	(1)
Distributed Systems Support and Other Support Functions	447	(1)
Information Security	447	(1)
Device Security	447	(1)
Work-at-Home Users	447	(1)
Inventory and Tracking	448	(1)
Intranet Content Development Policies and Standards	448	(1)
Training Policies	448	(1)
Disaster Planning and Recovery	448	(1)
Policy Compliance	449	(1)
Continuous Improvement	449	(1)
Who's Doing What?	449	(1)
Summary	450