Terminal Server Client is one of the key selling points of the new
Handheld PC 2000 class of "Windows Powered" devices. It's a feature prized by vertical markets, but one of the least understood by end users. Simply stated, Terminal Server Client lets you use your H/PC 2000 to connect to a Windows NT/2000 Terminal Server and run any program installed on that server. So, for example, you could run the full desktop PC version of Word on the H/PC 2000, instead of Pocket Word.
To fully understand the power of Terminal Server Client, we need to
understand three other concepts: Remote access, thin-client computing,
and Virtual Private Networking.
"Remote access" refers to the process of dialing up and connecting to an Internet Service Provider or your company's remote server. A user dials in via a modem and the hosting server answers, authenticates the user, and grants access to whatever resources the server wishes to share, which are usually defined by the security and policy settings. In the case of an ISP, the server acts as a gateway to the Internet, allowing users to browse the Web. In the case of a company's remote server, users usually access server applications, files, or print services.
Thin-client computing is similar in concept to remote control software
such as pcAnywhere. The "client" computer uses remote control protocols to control the mouse and keyboard inputs on the "host" computer. Additionally, the video output from the host is displayed on the client's screen. You access the full power of the desktop PC host from the relatively limited capabilities of the mobile client. When we speak of a "thin" client, we mean that, by itself, the client computer is relatively limited in power. For example, if we were using a powerful notebook PC as the client, we wouldn't call it a "thin" client. The following list outlines the benefits of thin-client computing:
- Requires little processing power and memory from the client
- Can operate over slow modem connections/low bandwidth
- Does not require a lot of memory since the client is only displaying
the video output from the host and sending mouse and keyboard commands
- Gives clients access to any available application on the host machine
(Microsoft Office 2000, Internet Explorer 5.5, databases, etc.)
- Provides the ability to manage a network remotely
- Can be used via any Internet browser that accepts the Terminal Server
Client Web Plug-In
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