Using OneSource in a "Thick" Client vs. "Thin" Client Configuration
Windows 2000/2003 Server can be setup and configured for use in a standard
Client/Server mode, sometimes referred to as a "Thick" Client--due
to the fact that it generally relies on fat ("thick") connections
such as a 10 megabit or 100 megabit).
On the other hand, for an additional client access license fee of approximately
$80-$100 per user, Windows 2000/2003 Server can be setup and configured as a
"Terminal Server", capable of displaying/serving data to dumb terminals,
older (or newer) PCs, or any device that can utilize Remote Desktop over the
Internet. Terminal Server is sometimes referred to as a "Thin" Client--due
to the fact that it generally relies on a small "thin" connection
such as a dial-up, DSL, T-1, etc. (Case in point: Even a T-1 is about 66x slower
than a local area network (LAN) "thick" / 100 megabit connection).
Microsoft Terminal Server and/or its biggest competitor (Citrix) is used by
nearly all of the Fortune 100 companies to share data between locations, over
"thin" connections like phone lines or the Internet.
The following is a list of reasons, from our point of view, why you might choose
one configuration/mode over the other:
Best Scenarios to Use OneSource in a Windows 2000/2003 "Thick"
Client/Server Mode:
- You have 10 or fewer users.
- You operate out of one location.
- You have 20,000 or fewer inventory items.
- You have a very stable network (good quality PC hardware, networking cards,
cables, hub/switch, etc., including a reliable uninterruptible power supply
(UPS) / surge protector). NOTE: Unstable networks that experience an abnormal
amount of abrupt disconnection's between the file server and any of the connected
PC's (in a "thick" client/server environment) can significantly
increase the chances of data corruption and/or data loss.
- You do not have a lot of heavy machinery in your warehouse using 220 or
440 power (which can cause severe fluctuations in your power supply, including
brown outs and/or complete loss of connectivity to the file server).
- You have relatively new PC hardware, with plenty of processing power and
RAM.
- You have an older server that you prefer to continue using.
- You do not want to have to buy an additional Terminal Server Client Access
License (CAL) for each user (which is a one time fee of approximately $80-$100
per user) and/or do not want to have to lease a "static" IP Address
from you ISP (which is usually $5 per month or more, depending on your supplier).
Best Scenarios to Use OneSource in a Windows 2000/2003 TERMINAL SERVER
"Thin" Client/Server Mode:
- You have 10 or more (fairly active) users.
- You have a need to access OneSource from home and/or multiple off-site locations
(or warehouses) on a continual basis each day.
- When network stability is a top priority (since the actual "data"
never really "leaves" the server but is simply just painted/displayed
on each users PC or dumb terminal screens)
- When network speed is a top priority (since there is not a "connection"
going on between PC's and the Server--all data is accessed and viewed directly
on the same server--with each user having their own virtual "desktop"
on the server when they log in).
- If you have older PC hardware and/or "dumb" terminals (winterms)
that you do not want to have to upgrade.
For additional information on recommended hardware requirements for both modes,
click here. For additional help with determining which
is best for you--thick or thin, please contact OneSource technical support at
(866) 204-4997.
