Thin Client Computer Lab Paper
Dvorak Technology Academy Thin Client Computer Lab Project
Submitted by James I. Davis jd@gocatgo.com TIE-532 November 30, 2008
Thin Client Computer Lab Project - page 2
Thin Client Computer Lab Project
Introduction Computers are an integral part of 21st century life, and as such technology education is recognized as part of the Illinois Learning Standards (ISBE, 2008). A computer lab is an efficient way to deliver access to computers and the Internet to students. Traditional labs, like the one at Dvorak Technology Academy, are populated with complete, standalone computer systems. In network terms these are "fat clients", because each workstation is a complete system, with its own memory and disk space and performing most if not all computing on the local workstation. "Thin client" systems shift most of the computing, memory and storage tasks to a centralized server. The client only handles user input, like typing or mouse movement, and displaying the results of user activity. As a result, in a thin client environment, the hardware on the workstation needs only minimal functionality to run the latest software and perform current computer tasks because the actual processing is handled by a server. The life of older equipment that can no longer run the latest software is thereby extended, and maintenance tasks are simplified as most maintenance only needs to be done on the server. The thin client server needs to be robust and powerful, but this extra power is much cheaper to concentrate in one server than in multiple workstations. This project describes an overhaul of the existing Dvorak Technology Academy PC Computer Lab to extend the life of current school resources and upgrade the lab at a minimal cost to handle current and future software functionality by changing the architecture of the lab from its current "fat client" setup to a thin client architecture. This document describes the necessary hardware, software and network structure for such lab within
Submitted by James I. Davis jd@gocatgo.com TIE-532 November 30, 2008
Thin Client Computer Lab Project - page 2
Thin Client Computer Lab Project
Introduction Computers are an integral part of 21st century life, and as such technology education is recognized as part of the Illinois Learning Standards (ISBE, 2008). A computer lab is an efficient way to deliver access to computers and the Internet to students. Traditional labs, like the one at Dvorak Technology Academy, are populated with complete, standalone computer systems. In network terms these are "fat clients", because each workstation is a complete system, with its own memory and disk space and performing most if not all computing on the local workstation. "Thin client" systems shift most of the computing, memory and storage tasks to a centralized server. The client only handles user input, like typing or mouse movement, and displaying the results of user activity. As a result, in a thin client environment, the hardware on the workstation needs only minimal functionality to run the latest software and perform current computer tasks because the actual processing is handled by a server. The life of older equipment that can no longer run the latest software is thereby extended, and maintenance tasks are simplified as most maintenance only needs to be done on the server. The thin client server needs to be robust and powerful, but this extra power is much cheaper to concentrate in one server than in multiple workstations. This project describes an overhaul of the existing Dvorak Technology Academy PC Computer Lab to extend the life of current school resources and upgrade the lab at a minimal cost to handle current and future software functionality by changing the architecture of the lab from its current "fat client" setup to a thin client architecture. This document describes the necessary hardware, software and network structure for such lab within