Thin Client Computing - Assignment Example

Thin Client Computing Name ID Number Course Name and Number Section Number Instructor’s Name Abstract Thin client computing is an important technology that improves on alignment of resources, improvement of security and ensuring optimum serves are availed to the consumers/users. Thin client computing can be employed in any institution and thus it is applicable to ILC laptops. The college has numerous laptops and thus employing security related features and alignment of resources provide an environment that champions efficiency and effectiveness. The paper shows that deployment of thin client technology in ADMC is beneficial and long due. Moreover, the paper shows how criticisms against thin client computing can be mitigated upon resulting in a technological deployment that is beneficial to the entire institution. Table of Contents Table of Contents 3 Introduction 4 Improve information security 4 Alignment with college processes 5 Criticism 6 Analysis 6 Summary 7 Reference 8 Introduction Thin client computing also referred to as slim or lean is computer technology that heavily depends on other servers and computers to fulfil traditional obligations. This means that all information that includes software and hardware are remotely located. The information within thin client computer is enough to start up the machine and then connect to the remote server. Hence, thin client computing can easily access all data, tools and features that could sustain operational requirements. Some of the benefits associated with thin client computing includes security, ease of maintenance, and ease of use and reduces cost (Tolia, Andersen & Satyanarayanan, 2006). Thus, the objectives of this report is to prove that it is beneficial to convert ILC laptops to thin client computing in terms of improving information security, alignment of processes and brings into consideration two criticism with counter-criticism views. Improve information security Thin client computing improves on information security. All processes of thin client occur on a server, and mostly this server is centrally managed, this means that the local environment is stateless and the points of conduct of the hardware are fewer resulting in lower probability error. Stateless environment software programs do not retain any information such as configuration settings or retain data between the processes. Hence, when a process has finished operating and the requirements have been delivered, the connection is closed. Generally, thin client technology protects the data and information, hiding all weak points that can be used to penetrate the security system of the institution (Net Work Computing Lab, 2009). Thin client/ stateless environments protect the laptops against malware; malware is software that is designed to damage a system without user’s knowledge or consent. Malware incorporates worms, spyware and viruses, to name some. Thus, thin clients are protected because all of its data and information are protected on the server that is centrally managed. Moreover, antivirus software can easily be loaded and upgrade ensuring that security is guaranteed (Smith, 2005). The use of thin client in colleges improves on security since restriction and management is easily accomplished. Some specific machines can be restricted and through this approach, it ensures documents and data files in the storage medium are secure and thus champions the idea of security. The most critical software or applications are stored in central servers, in that; it decreases the risk that compromises the application of this software. Moreover, information and data will only be available for those individuals who have passed the requirements of that information (Bubak, 2004). For example, the requirements of students and other staff members such as lectures are different, this means that the student will be able to access information available for students while the lecturers can access any available information, but based on ensuring that the students obtain maximum efficiency. Alignment with college processes Using thin client technology aligns with the requirements of the college in that it improves on the efficiency and update procedures. All program and applications are stored centrally in the servers that serve the laptops. This means that when there is an update, system administrator will be required to update it on the server, meaning that the entire program is updated rather than other technologies in which updates procedures could be fulfilled by updating every laptop. Thin client computer upgrade is easier and more efficient (Shinder, 2001). Additionally, thin client technology reduces costs. It reduces cost in terms of hardware and software. In the case of hardware, thin client do not require disks or supporting application memory. Thus, laptops will have to share available memory hence reducing cost. In the case of software, many laptops will use the same program simultaneously, but the application will only be loaded to the server. This differs from the fat or thick clients that every laptop requires a copy of the program to run it (Oppenheimer, 2004). Since, the connection in terms of networking is between the laptop and the central server; the bandwidth costs are greatly reduced. The file servers and terminal servers exist on the same network; network traffic mostly takes place in the server. Maintenance is a major concern in every computer related technology. Maintenance is usually expensive, requires experts and sometimes takes long periods. Thin client enhances access and manageability. This means that maintenance is reduced while the costs of PC software deployment are also reduced. Since the same version of software is used, it allows for standard software environment. Other factors that improve on manageability include data recovery costs, reduction of support, and troubleshooting. Moreover, it encourages central management and single point of control. This is because software, servers, and storage are centrally managed (Liptak, 2006). Thin client technology increases the span of hardware. It is important to prolong PC lifecycle in that hardware intensive PC applications can easily be run by low level PCs. Additionally, the lifecycle of laptops could be extended for long periods since ease of use (Liptak, 2006). The laptops will not have many internal hardware e.g. hard disk, means that the laptop will be lighter and the battery will have long life. Criticism Major criticism of thin client computing is the high deployment costs. Many equipments and applications are required before the system is appropriately deployed. These costs range from hardware to software. In hardware, the equipments and tools are expensive since they require huge capital investment. Moreover, software requires complex licensing models and exorbitant licensing fees. Critics argue that cost of both the hardware and software in thin client computing is the same as stand-alone computers (Smith, 2005). However, these critics and those who argue against thin client computing do not factor into consideration the benefits of security and alignment. These individuals should understand that security and alignment are the fundamental and underlying features that supersede cost requirements. Data, information, and other important institutional requirements may be exposed to scrupulous people who may use the information against the institution. Thus, security supersedes the cost. Another criticism approach is that thin client exhibits server-side scalability bottleneck. This means that the more laptops are connected, the slower the machine will be. However, formulation and implementation of thin client provides for scalability. If clients increase, more servers can be deployed based on expected clients number (Smith, 2005). The clients can easily be connected to the server and will prevent the clients from purchasing programs and hardware. Even though, at times the network could be slow, the benefits that are associated with server-based approaches exceed criticism; for example, it improves on security and alignment. Server-side scalability is a major problem but it can be addressed easily through effectively formulating the thin client computing framework. Analysis In any research or scientific articles, there are fundamentals that the articles can be analysed with. Bias is one of these components that define unacknowledged or unknown error. Generally, it means influencing the results. Eve though bias is common; it is hard to conclude that a research or an article was influenced by bias (Payne & Williams, 2005). Validity can be defined as the degree in which a research measures what it is supposed to measure. This defines whether a given research is applicable or not. Reliability is determining whether the instruments used to measure can yield the same results. This means that reliability is closely associated with consistency, in that it shows whether there are similarities between analyses that have been carried out. On the other hand, spin defines the way and transparency of the results obtained and analysis of these results. Strategies that play a major role include data presentation and openness of the researchers or authors. Generally, it is important to present the data in a manner that is easy to understand and analyse. Currency that originates from the word current defines the appropriateness of information or data that is available and which can be applied to numerous analyses (University of Connecticut, 2009). Thus, analysis of any research, it is important to ensure that the information is applicable and is within the given period. Summary Generally, thin client computing is paramount if it is included in the college infrastructure. Client computing improves on information security and alignment of resources. It improves security of information through benefits associated with stateless environment, malware & virus, and restriction & management. In alignment of resources, thin client computing improves on efficiency and update procedures, reduction of costs, and enhance access & manageability. Thus, combining these two categories of benefits ensures that ILC laptops operate optimally. However, thin client is criticised mostly based on high deployment costs and exhibit server-side scalability bottleneck. These views can be managed through understanding numerous benefits of server-based systems, effectively planning, and appropriate deployment of the resources. Reference Bubak, M. (2004). Computational science: ICCS 2004. New York: Springer Publishers. Liptak, B. (2006). Instrument engineers’ handbook: process control and optimisation, 4th Ed. New York: CRC Press. Net Work Computing Lab. 2009. Slow motion Benchmarking: Measuring Thin Client Performance. Available at: http://www.ncl.cs.columbia.edu/research/thin/ [accessed December 15 2009] Oppenheimer, P. (2004). Top-down network design, 2nd Ed. New York: Cisco Press Publishers. Payne, G. & Williams, M. (2005). Generalisation in Qualitative Research. Sociology 39(2): 295-314 Smith, R. (2005). Linux in a windows world. New York: O’Reilly Media Publishers. Shinder, D. (2001). Computer networking essentials. New York: Cisco Press Publishers. Tolia, N. Andersen, D. G. & Satyanarayanan, M. (March 2006). Quantifying Interactive User Experience on Thin Clients. IEEE Computer Society, 46-52. University of Connecticut. 2009. Predispositions of Qualitative and Quantitative Models of Inquiry. Available at http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/siegle/research/Qualitative/qualquan.htm [accessed November 2009] Read More