Definition:
A thin client is a computer that runs from resources stored on a central server instead of a localized hard drive. Thin clients work by connecting remotely to a server-based computing environment where most applications, sensitive data, and memory, are stored
Thin clients have a number of benefits, including:
- Reduced cost
- Increased security
- More efficient manageability
- Scalability
Thin client deployment is more cost effective than deploying regular PCs. Because so much is centralized at the server-side, thin client computing can reduce IT support and licensing costs.
Security can be improved through employing thin clients because the thin client itself is restricted by the server. Thin clients cannot run unauthorized software, and data can’t be copied or saved anywhere except for the server. System monitoring and management is easier based on the centralized server location.
Thin clients can also be simpler to manage, since upgrades, security policies, and more can be managed in the data center instead of on the endpoint machines. This leads to less downtime, increasing productivity among IT staff as well as endpoint machine users.
Further Reading:
Book: The Unified modeling Language user guide by Grady Booch, James Rumbaugh and Ivar Jacobson
