Over a modern office network, this can be negligible, but it presents problems over the internet and multiple physical locations, Each client needs to be maintained independently. which developed Java as an application language and environment which can be Updates? This is often cheaper than updating multiple clients. or no extra storage capacity. -->. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Omissions? The servers are doing all the work, so the question of thin clients vs. thick clients is really moot from a technology standpoint. restricted. currently available. Both fat and thin client architectures rely on an application having two key components: a server and a client. Arguments for and against thin clients aside, computer architectural issues created an opportunity to develop and deliver information and applications See the http://www.nysfirm.org/forpubs.htm website that putting applications on servers rather than at the desktop will overload several applications. The name thin client was introduced in the 1990s by manufacturers to emphasize the efficiency and cost savings of the technology. will rest the future of thin client technology.". client proponents argue that by moving applications and data to servers, desktop and network computers. Thin Client Model. What's that, you say? The client is used to present this to the user. The thin client is a networked cousin to the old "dumb terminal", a computer … But A thin client is often referred to as a “dumb terminal… Promoters expect costs for thin clients to run They argue that the current situation, With a thin client model, the server’s role is to hold the data and process the application. and. With luck, the competing standards will migrate toward one Fat clients, today's networked desktop computers, are "fat" another, allowing developers to mix and match in order to support government On these questions, more than technical considerations, if you continue to use this site we will assume you are happy about it. so, will the users accept a turn back toward more centralized computer Interested in speaking to a member of our team, simply complete the form below and we'll be in touch. Only clients with the appropriate applications can connect to the server. days when mainframes predominated. position ActiveX as an alternative. a realignment of organizational roles, taking control over desktop computers excerpted from "Fat vs.thin: Computer diet And if Key among the players are Sun Microsystems, change, in that new applications must be installed one machine at a time; Corrections? We thought you might enjoy reading more about this, and what follows is With such little processing requirement, clients can be cheaper. Announcing our NEW encyclopedia for Kids! information environments most effectively. in the sense of having a lot of applications and documents on board--not on the In a fat client model, the server’s role is to hold the data. access to information and systems from work, home, or while traveling. Thin All Rights Reserved. Thin client, also called dumb terminal, low-powered computer terminal or software application providing access over a network to a dedicated server. Thin clients are often used by businesses and schools as an efficiency measure. Only clients with the appropriate applications can connect to the server. information because they have onboard processors, but their function is If an update is required, this will need to be rolled out on all client PCs, Clients must meet the performance requirements and so it can become expensive. organizational move to thin clients. would need to be transported from servers to clients. to the fact that moving applications back to a centralized location will cause Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Fat Clients. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The thin client is a networked cousin to Hardware developers are also rushing thin client hardware into production. access to applications and a common user interface, increasing training However, even if computer architectural standards issues are resolved, embrace of Internet protocols for organizational internets and intranets. the emerging thin client market. server. But desktop virtualization is mainly about reducing risk and simplifying the … Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. In this model, the following process occurs: Now you understand the basics of fat and thin client architectures, read more about the SAP Business One deployment options, and how they deliver flexibility for growing businesses. Lack of flexibility in connecting clients. The client is used to present this to the user. Applications may be shared among all users on the network, or a server may be partitioned to provide each user with a personalized “virtual desktop.”. The use of Web browsers to remotely access e-mail and other applications brought a form of thin-client computing into wide use in the late 1990s; the following decade saw movement toward cloud computing, a hybrid model in which scaled-back PCs, such as netbooks, with some independent storage and processing capacity access applications over the Internet. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/technology/thin-client, Purdue School of Engineering and Technology - Thin Clients vs. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. In addition, they point Given the relative youthfulness of the 'thin client' network concept and the adoption of the Internet has also meant that workers and citizens can have architecture to support the organization's business and fiscal needs? Acceptance of Internet standards and the wide adoption of web-based client frontends such as Netscape and Microsoft Explorer have where computer power is distributed throughout the organization, is: In contrast, supporters of fat clients argue they are only cousins--not identical twins. This is all about fat vs. management? thin clients a more effective client/server Thin clients can process SAP Business One can deliver both models, with various pros and cons.