Commonly Asked Questions about
Thin Client Computing

(last updated 5 March 1999)

Q.) What does the term Thin Client mean?
A.) In the computing sense it means the normal desktop (PC/Mac) that sits on a clients desktop, does not have much in the way of processing power, disk space or memory. All of the processing (eg Word/Excel/Netscape) is performed on a central server, rather than on the clients PC. On the desktop, appears an NT desktop window, but the difference between this and a normal NT (IBM PC in our case) PC, is that the processing, and saving of files is not happening locally. Clients use a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to interact with the server, unlike the Terminal Servers of yester-year.

Q.) What does the term Windows Terminal Server (WTS) mean?
A.) This is Microsofts' implementation of thin client technology. Their product in called Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition or WTS for short.

Q.) Who is Citrix and what is Metaframe?
A.) Citrix is the name of a company that develops thin-client solutions. Their original product was called WinFrame and their latest product, which must work in conjunction with WTS, is called Metaframe.

Q.) What is the difference between Metaframe and Windows Terminal Server (WTS)?
A.) For CSU there are only two. WTS doesn't allow you to save files locally to your PC/MACs' hard and floppy disks, while Metaframe does. Secondly, WTS only works for Windows based PC, whereas Metaframe allows all Windows based PC's as well as Macintosh's, UNIX and numerous others.

Q.) Where are my files stored?
A.) Files are stored on the central file server, rather than on your local PC/MAC hard drive. These files are archived regularly, and are automatically mirrored, so there is always a duplicate copy. This is much more than you would tend to do on your own PC/MAC.

Q.) Why aren't they stored on my computer?
A.) It may come as a surprise, but one of the major costs of buying a computer is support costs. To purchase a computer costs about $2,500, but the support costs for the lifespan of the computer is about $8,400 ($2,800 per year). So the total cost to the University can be as high as $11,000 (this doesn't take into account downtime costs, absorbed by the client). By storing files on your PC/Mac, less time is spent trying to recover these files, or general 'fiddling' about to get it working again when it failure. Failures of machines running solely thin client software, can be replaced readily, by another computer, irregardless of age or speed (of the computer that is).

Q.) Can I elect to store files locally on my computer?
A.) If you have the Citrix Metaframe client installed on your computer, you may elect to do this, but IT, do not undertake to support these files, or software, in any way, otherwise we're going to back to the support problems highlighted above.

Q.) Why is the thin client method cheaper? Don't you have to buy large servers to cope with the load?
A.) As an example purchasing 30 new computers will cost the University $75,000 (and notinally, $252,000 support costs for the next years). To purchase a server and appropriate software/licensing to service this many users, generally costs about $40,000 (support costs would be approximately $8000 per year for 3 years, including replacing faulty PC's/MAC's). A total saving to the University in up front costs of $35,000, and possible saving of about $200,000 in support.

Q.) What happens to those staff with IBM PC's in 3 years time?
A.) That hasn't been completely mapped out, but consider that the speed of a PC in 3 years may by 5-6 times what it is now, it could mean replacement. In 3 years time the Thin Client environment would have gradually transitioned to this faster environment, without you having to modify your PC/MAC, in any way.

Q.) What do you mean by support costs?
A.) Support can mean, when the machine breaks down and requires repair, to the installation of new versions of software. In the Thin Client environment, to install new software means installing it on the server, and every client who accesses the server has access to the new software.(In the previous example, it means one installation compared to 30 individual installations, it adds up quickly)

Q.) Do I have my own Preferences for Word/Excel, bookmarks for Netscape, or are they shared?
A.) All of your preferences are stored in individual 'profiles'. Your profile stores all of your preferences, and individual information. It is only accessible by you.

Q.) How secure is my data, using Thin Client software?
A.) Each server is stored in a central, locked, limited access computer room. Access is only for a limited number of IT staff. All IT staff have agreed to abide by a code of Confidentiality, Security and Privacy. The data transmitted from your 'client' takes a path along a secure network, to the server, so students and others cannot intercept it. Consider this security against data stored on your PC/MAC, in an open office, vulnerable for it to be stolen along with your data (in the thin client world, they would have stolen a nearly worthless box).

Q.) What happens if the power fails to my PC/MAC?
A.) The server have fault tolerant power supplies, so when the power to you pc restarts, all of the applications (eg Word, Netscape etc), will still be open to the same point you left them. This is also true, if you PC/MAC fails (the good old General Protection Fault). There may be occasions where the servers fail, but they have been purchased with fault tolerance in mind, and it is expected this wont occur often. In this case, the applications you had open will have closed, but your data will be safe.

Q.) How does Thin Client software cope with my Mac since it has only one mouse button?
A.) Pressing the '=' key on the keypad or Apple+R while clicking the mouse provides the same functionality as a right mouse click.

Q.) How do you emulate 800 x 600 screen size on a Mac?
A.) Setting the screen size to 'full screen' resolves this. You can then press Control + Option key to toggle between your Mac window and the thin client window.

Q.) Can I access this facility by dialing in from home?
A.) We're still investigating this. It certainly is possible, but we're not sure what level of support we can provide. We hope to have an answer to this by the end of May 1999.

Q.) Will my connection to the server be disconnected for any reason?
A.) Connections are reset after 4 hours of idle time. This means if you haven't used the Thin Client software, the session will disappear from your screen, it will become 'disconnected'. It doesn't mean the items you had open (eg Netscape, Word etc), will have closed. If you reconnect to again, they will still be there and open. 'Disconnected' sessions stay in that state for 20 hours, during which you can reconnect, by simply typing in your password again, as described above. If you do not reconnect within the 20 hours, the session will be reset, at which point, the next time you connect, you will have to re-open applications (eg Netscape, Word etc), as you will be starting a new session.

Q.) Why do you disconnect sessions?
A.) The are numerous reasons, some are:
Licenses are available on a simlutaneous user basis, so disconnecting people, allows more staff to actively use the service. If you are not using the service, it is more secure to disconnect the session, so your data is less likely to be compromised When we finalise support issues for dialin, you should be able to reconnect to the session from home. You may have inadvertently left the session open in someone else's office, or public area.

Q.) Do I need an SVGA card, rather than a VGA card in my PC?
A.) This will only be required if your position requires you to run the GUI (Graphical User Interface) version of the new student information/finance system. If you don't use these services, or use them via the web, you need not be concerned.


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