Chips promise slimmer thin clients

Thin client computing is about to get even thinner with the introduction of new technology based on dedicated silicon that delivers the full PC experience to a worker sitting at a remote console.

Two firms, Teradici and NComputing, have unveiled products that hardwire much of the functionality of a thin client into a single chip. Teradici’s technology is initially being used to deliver a high-performance, multi-screen experience for power users, while NComputing aims to further slash the cost-per-seat of PCs in markets such as education.

NComputing’s L Series endpoints are based on a custom chip that implements the company’s user extension protocol (UXP). This delivers to the device a compressed data stream supporting a Windows desktop up to 1280x1024 pixels, plus audio and USB connectivity.

NComputing has been winning customers in the US education market because of the low cost of the devices – under £55 each – and because NComputing gives away its server-side component and management tools to this type of customer.

“The secret to our low cost is it’s not a PC,” said NComputing chief executive Stephen Dukker. He contrasted his firm’s technology with entry-level terminals from thin client leader Wyse, which have a processor and memory and run an embedded operating system.

“That costs at least £100 to build, whereas our device costs almost nothing,” Dukker said.

NComputing’s architecture uses software to compress the data stream being sent from the host. In contrast, Teradici requires a chip at the host end to compress the data and a chip at the endpoint to decode it. This takes the processing burden away from the host processor completely.

Teradici’s chip features in new blade systems from IBM and ClearCube, the latter using the technology to let workers such as stock market traders connect four screens to a remote workstation.

Hardware compression keeps all of the host processor’s power for applications, as well as enabling graphics-intensive applications over an IP connection, according to ClearCube’s Paul Dunford.

“Most task-based workers don’t need hardware compression – Teradici is really only required for high video bandwidth,” Dunford said.

Analysts are divided on whether the new approach will be adopted by enterprises. Steve Kleynhans, vice-president of the platforms group at analyst Gartner, said that most thin client customers prefer a device with some local processing capability, in case the host is unavailable.

However, Richard Edwards, senior research analyst at Butler Group, said the devices had great potential as the user interface for virtual desktops, around which interest is growing.

“Incorporating [the thin client protocol] at the chip level moves more of the cost back into the datacentre and improves the endpoint reliability,” added Edwards.