Thin client advice

[woody]

I have been asked to look at the cost of installing 64 thin clients and obviousley a server to run them on. These will be Win XP. But I have no idea of how to set up a thin client solution. Does MS Server 2003 support thin clients?

Basically, can anyone provide me with a shopping list of hardaware / software.

Oh, and any suggestions as to where to get it from would be great too.

Thanx

[ChrisH]

Moved to the thin client forum

[woody]

Woops, my mistake!!! Doh!

Thanks Chris

[ChrisH]

While this package builds and this laptop runs through SFC again..... Server 2003 has Terminal server for your thin client needs. When you say the cleints will be XP what do you mean exactly embedded ? Some kind of terminal etc?
You may want to look at Citrix as well but that will mean more cost so you have to weigh up the features you need versus extra cost.
As for clients you can use old PCs or something like a wise terminal.
Ric is the man to answer your Questions as he has a big Citrix setup and is also doing a talk at the Conference soon if you can make it.

[woody]

Thanks Chris. Now you have pointed out the thin client forum, I have been reading the other threads and got a lot from them. What I mean by the clients running XP, is that I would like them to 'appear' to run XP or similar. Basically I am unfamiliar with the whole thin clients thing, but I guess I am asking for a best case cenario. All the equipment is going to be new - I don't need to look at resurrecting older kit. The servers too. If citrix works best and is easier to set up, then that would be good.

But basically I am open to all suggestions.

I think I might try to get to the conference.

[Geoff]

Your thin clients don't need to be anything special. Stuff your about to throw out should be sufficent.

You can get dedicated thin client boxes though if you want snazzy new stuff.

The best person to talk to is Ric.

[russdev]

come to our conference in few weeks time and hear thin client master himself ric talk about it

russ

[NetworkGeezer]

Why thinclient in particular? You can set a KIOS environment on desktops using GPO and disk reset systems such as those in DeepFreeze or Microsoft Shared Computer Access toolkit.

[CyberNerd]

Why thinclient in particular?

usually: Lower TCO (hardware,licensing,administration) and to allow remote internet access to school software

[CyberNerd]

have a chat with these guys:
http://www.precedence.co.uk/

you'll probably need 3 servers for 64 users , dual processor, plenty of ram, fast disks.
I'd recommend the Cirtix route over rdp, it has far better features but isn't so cheap. For the clients you can use existing equipment (>133 pentium), or use dedicated terminals or via epia are quite good -network boot - no moving parts (www.thinstation.org)

[NetworkGeezer]

Why thinclient in particular?

usually: Lower TCO (hardware,licensing,administration) and to allow remote internet access to school software

I like the qualification there. Yes, TCs are good remote access and for admin software but less so on the curriculum side especially if you're into your multimedia CBT software.

[woody]

Thin client mainly because of space (they are pretty small rooms), and for physical security. Somebody here has put the idea forward of having maybe shuttle pcs and putting them all together in a cooled secure cabinet with KVM leads out to the desks. Has anybody done this?

[Andrew_C]

Somebody here has put the idea forward of having maybe shuttle pcs and putting them all together in a cooled secure cabinet with KVM leads out to the desks. Has anybody done this?

I've had a chat with SyLimited about Clear Cube. Very interesting, but seems at first glance expencive. However, if cooling costs are avoided, and there is an increase in security and maintenance is easier (cheaper) it may balance out.

Clear Cube System

[Ric_]

Firstly... wait 2 weeks until after my talk at the conference!

Secondly... with thin clients, the chances are that you will never have all the clients connected at the same time - I only have Citrix licenses for 150 out of my 200 and they have never all been used! Also, the cost of a thin client terminal device is now only about £130 for the cheapest. Add your TS CAL at £11 and then 1/30th of the cost of the terminal server and the TCO drops dramatically. HP also reckon that the lifespan of a HP terminal is over 30 years!

If you want a chat, feel free to skype me on rm_charlton

[mark]

Nathan/ Tarquel has done shuttle PC's in cupboards and extensions for mice and keboards, standard PC's tho'.`