A boost for server-based computing

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Terminal Services requires the use of the Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), the Citrix software adding support for ICA. Most thin client devices support both.

Recent and future developments

The introduction of 64-bit and multi-core processors has increased the number of hosted client sessions that can be handled by a single Windows server, making server-based computing much more cost effective. Moreover, a number of new thin client devices and supporting software products have been introduced, further stimulating interest.

Market leader, Wyse, for example, has expanded its popular diskless thin client range with new Linux and Windows Embedded powered terminals plus a totally new device with no native operating system at all. Called the V00, this terminal gets all its software from the remote server under the control of an application called Wyse Streaming Manager (WSM) which can also stream applications on demand.

HP has, similarly extended it's thin client range with the launch of new AMD powered devices, while NEC recently released a thin client in the form of a diskless notebook with integrated wireless networking.

On the software front details on what will happen to Terminal Services in the next release of Windows Server (Longhorn) are sketchy, but significant enhancements are expected including support for application publishing, seamless windows, an SSL gateway and updates to the RDP protocol. Thin client technology is also being marketed as a means of running native Windows applications on Linux desktops, by companies such as 2x and others.

Finally virtualisation and thin client technologies make interesting bedfellows. Softricity, recently acquired by Microsoft, is a common accompaniment while Citrix also has its own application virtualisation and streaming technologies.

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