Thin clients in the public sector

The public sector is investing heavily in standardized and centrally administered IT workstations. Thin clients provide a secure, flexible and extremely efficient alternative to PCs in this respect.

little cost. The individual user profiles are created directly on the central (terminal) servers and the thin clients can be pre-configured with remote management software. The on-site rollout requires no more than a physical connection to the network. The first time it’s turned on, the thin client gets its individual settings from the server, and the workstation is available immediately. External positions or

Never before has the public sector spent so much money

home workstations can also connect just as easily. This only

on ITC solutions. The three biggest investment areas in

requires the use of the proper connection methods, such as

2007 were IT services, software and hardware. With efficient

ISDN, DSL or WLAN. For a secure connection, some

and flexible thin clients, centrally administered server based

manufacturers integrate special digital services. These are

computing (SBC) and virtualized environments promise a

protocols or software tools integrated in the thin client

particularly high level of standardization, consolidation and

firmware, which provide the user with specific functions.

guaranteed future. Compared to PC-based infrastructures,

Examples of these include HTTPS, SSL or a Cisco VPN

modern solutions like this save up to 70 percent of total IT

client. Specific digital services also support multimedia

costs while also providing a high level of flexibility.

streaming or printing services, such as ThinPrint, or even a complete print server functionality that helps to consolidate physical print servers. Even the IP telephony via thin clients

Standardized administration workstations

is supported by some manufacturers with a special digital

Computing infrastructures can be centralized and

service. A SIP client integrated into the firmware enables the

workstations can be standardized with server based

user to make calls free of charge within the network of the

computing and virtualized environments. Applications that

respective official authority via a connected headset

were once distributed locally are now concentrated in a

(softphone).

data center, which immediately eliminates many typical IT problems. Applications and data can be easily administered and mirror-bundled for data recovery purposes. Access to

Platform-dependent: operation and management

the central server environment is possible within 10 seconds

If the basic communication protocols, ICA, Microsoft® RDP and

using Citrix® Hot Desktop regardless of the user’s location

X11R6 are integrated in the firmware, thin clients work together

and terminal device. Access via remotely administered and

with all standard terminal server systems, such as Citrix®,

low-power consumption thin clients work extremly efficiently.

Microsoft® Windows® Server® or UNIX/Linux, for example.

This not only produces sustainable cost reductions in the

Some manufacturers also equip their thin clients with

areas of support, maintenance and power consumption – it

performance-increasing protocol extensions, such as

also immensely increases protection against data losses

NoMachine NX, with terminal emulations for direct host access

and unauthorized access, as the diskless devices have no

or with a native SAP GUI (Graphical User Interface). These

local storage options. USB interfaces can be administratively

kinds of continuously developing digital services produce a

blocked or restricted to regulate the use of external storage

high level of guaranteed future, as well as consolidation

media. Consequently, these devices can prevent exposure

potential, as the thin client can consequently perform the tasks

to damaging programs, such as viruses or Trojans. The

of several terminal devices (host terminal, IP telephone, print

protective measures can be almost entirely restricted to the

server, etc.). Ideally, the management solution for the thin

server environment alone. Modern thin clients provide a

clients’ remote administration is also set up platform-

desktop that scarcely differs in appearance from an ordinary

independently (e.g. Java-based) and supports diverse

PC, which in turn saves training costs with the migration.

databases for administering device profiles. Support by Microsoft® Active Directory is also preferable for the easy administration of user profiles. A platform-independent

Quick and secure: external workstations

administration solution like the IGEL Remote Management

An important feature of SBC and virtualized environments

Suite, for example, permits the continuous administration of all

with thin clients is the rapid expansion of the infrastructure at

thin client models and digital services of the manufacturer, 2/6

regardless of the internal operating system of the terminal

effective series. The step-by-step migration via thin client

devices. The integrated and encrypted remote administration of

cards is recommended for facilities with limited budgets.

thin clients also makes the server based computing model very

Furthermore, standard PCs can also be integrated as PC

interesting for IT service providers. b.i.t GmbH, based in

clients into the SBC environment and can continue to be

Bremerhaven in northern Germany, for example, offers schools

centrally administered. “Real” thin clients are then ultimately

and public offices outsourcing packages with thin clients

introduced in a later project phase.

included. Virtualization and server consolidation Typical periphery equipment and specific applications

Desktop virtualization is a solution for providing applications

An important requirement for thin client environments in

via thin clients that are not terminal server-enabled. It can

the public sector is the connection of typical periphery

supplement SBC by mapping PCs with local installations

equipment, such as printers and scanner solutions. Models

as virtual desktops on the server, and then making

®

®

with Microsoft Windows XP Embedded firmware that

them available via thin client. To use the Virtual Desktop

small software tools can be integrated into, such as a

Infrastructure (VDI) from VMware, many thin clients now

TWAIN interface, are especially well suited for the latter.

integrate suitable digital services. Citrix also offers an option

Devices with integrated smartcard readers are also worth

for accessing virtual desktops via ICA protocol. Complete

looking into for security reasons. These not only allow PKI

terminal servers can also be virtualized. Thirty-two and

or authentication solutions to be implemented – they also

64-bit versions, for example, can consequently be efficiently

enable flexible choice of workstations (desktop roaming).

operated on new integrated and efficient 64-bit hardware.

Solutions like Gemalto Smartcard, in combination with Citrix®

The server-side use of 64-bit hardware and operating

Hot Desktop, permit fast logon and logoff via smartcard.

systems offers an advantage – the number of users per

Users can save work sessions with smartcards and

terminal server can be significantly increased. This in turn

continue working on a different device. Digital signatures

means that the SBC undergoes an enormous increase in

are also possible via the smartcard reader. A qualified digital

efficiency on the server side. An independent performance

signature requires external devices with separate PIN entry,

test by Scapa Technologies shows that the number of users

which many thin client manufacturers already support today.

and applications under Windows 2003 Server x64 Edition can be tripled across all utilization statuses compared with

Designs for special usage scenarios In addition to model variants with different internal operating systems, there are still a number of specific, but also standardized, administrable construction designs (table 3). These include thin clients with an integrated TFT monitor. These models are particularly well suited for

the 32-bit version. Instead of six terminal servers, two are now sufficient! In line with current initiatives for more efficient data centers, the corresponding maintenance and data center costs are therefore also reduced. This includes the applications for management, cooling, uninterruptible power supplies and software licenses (e.g. for anti-virus software).

secure kiosk operation in libraries, as service terminals in town halls, or as a space-saving solution in small rooms.

Ergonomics, ecology and CO2 emissions

Mobile thin clients are good solutions for tough working

Public offices and administration centers perform an

conditions, such as external use with a WLAN connection.

important exemplary function in terms of ergonomics and

A growing trend in this respect is multi-display devices

environmental protection. In this respect, thin clients make

that can be connected to up to four screens that shows

an important contribution because they are noiseless in

different content. Typical user scenarios here include

operation and generate minimum heat volume. An ecological

workstations where large amounts of information have to

comparison by the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental,

be processed or monitored at the same time. This could

Safety and Energy Technology (UMSICHT) shows that

be necessary in building security, office administration or

thin client environments only generate half as much

accounting, where scanned documents and entry masks

power consumption as PC environments1. Including the

can be displayed simultaneously to save time. The leading

consumption part of the terminal server and the proportional

German manufacturer IGEL offers dual view in its cost-

cooling power in the server room, a thin client only requires

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41 watts on average. A PC, on the other hand, consumes around 85 watts. At a power price of 15 cents per kWh, a thin client therefore generates costs of EUR 10.82 (server and cooling part included), which is less than half of that generated by a PC at EUR 22.44. The power consumption of the thin client solution in a 64-bit scenario with a higher number of users per terminal server falls in comparison with PCs by up to 74 percent. Another environment-relevant argument for thin clients is the reduction in CO2 emissions that is indirectly produced by the power consumption. The share of the CO2-relevant power production (power mix) with a PC is therefore more than twice as much as with a thin client; with 64-bit scenarios it is even four times as much! When it comes to production, transport and disposal, thin clients perform better on the basis of their lower volumes. A thin client weighs 60 to 65 percent less than a PC and takes up 70 to 80 percent less space. When recycling, there is only a third of the electrical scrap that a PC produces.

The overall picture decides The savings potential of thin client environments is indisputable. But, it is also important that thin clients are future proof and offer expandable features that allow the solution to meet future business requirements. This varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and depends on the solution’s usage flexibility. The most important criteria are integrated and platform-independent management, a wide range of digital services, and various, but standard, administration construction designs for diverse user scenarios. If all these criteria are met and support is ensured by the provider, then the investment will quickly pay off. In addition to fast amortization, the continuous development of management solutions and digital services on a standardized hardware basis also provides high flexibility. Current technologies and their savings potential can therefore be utilized on this basis without restriction.

Thin client workstations cost less According to an economic evaluation by the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology (UMSICHT), if you consider the total IT costs (TCO) when compared to PC-based architectures with locally installed applications, these costs are reduced by up to 70 percent3. While a manually maintained PC generates total costs of approximately EUR 4,600 per year and a softwaresupported administered PC runs up EUR 2,800, a thin client workstation incurs costs of less than EUR 1,500 (fig. 1). Even compared to a “managed PC,” the difference is as much as 46 percent. The savings could be even higher in practice - in order to better compare results, the Fraunhofer UMSICHT study assumed a standard usage period of five years. In reality, the usage period is typically three to four years with PCs, and as much as six to eight years with thin clients.

1

http://it.umsicht.fraunhofer.de/TCecology/

2

http://www.scapatech.com/PDFs/ Enterprise_Application_Scaling_of64Bit_TS.pdf

3

http://it.umsicht.fraunhofer.de/PCvsTC/

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Overview: Reasons for thin client use in the public sector: 1) Availability, security

2) Management, costs

3) Usage scenarios, environment

Central infrastructure with decentralized access via low maintenance thin clients; access to central applications within 10 seconds (via Citrix Citrix Hot Desktop)

High level of guaranteed future: Long service life (approx. six to eight years); platform independence; continuous further development (firmware and digital services)

Versatile connection and application options: Digital signature support with smartcard reader (internal/external), connection of scanners, biometry devices, printers, etc.; WLAN support

Integrated smartcard reader: Identification and authentication and/or PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) solutions; digital signature

Remote administration reduces IT support costs: Central updates, VNC shadowing, efficient profile administration of users, groups and administrators

Versatile usage scenarios with digital services: Direct host and SAP access, Single-Sign-On, SIP-Client (VoIP), access to virtual PCs, etc.

Secure connection and high availability of external positions and home workstations: Almost 100 percent availability with the fast swap-out of terminal devices (Plug & Play)

Fast rollout: Pre-configuration of thin clients (MAC lists import) with Remote Management tool; no specialist personnel required for physical connection

Flexible choice of workstation: Convenient log in and off via smartcard; immediate continued work with sessions used previously

Thin clients are robust and cannot be manipulated: Ideal for kiosk operation (information terminals, libraries, etc.)

Total cost reduction of up to 70 percent: Software, updates and terminal devices are administered centrally; at least 50 percent less energy costs

Minimum training requirements: No changeover, desktops look the same as with a PC

Encrypted data streams with low information value: Only control codes are exchanged between thin client and server; VPN support

Consolidation of IP telephone (VoIP), host terminal and print server via thin clients with corresponding integrated digital services

Low power consumption, low indirect contribution to CO2 emissions; less electrical scrap; ergonomic: Low space requirement, minimum heat development and practically noiseless operation

Fig. 1: Total costs comparison: PC versus thin client 5,000.00 € 4,500.00 € 4,000.00 € 3,500.00 € 3,000.00 € 2,500.00 € 2,000.00 € 1,500.00 € 1,000.00 € 500.00 € 0.00 € Unmanaged PC

Managed PC

Thin Client

Source: Fraunhofer UMSICHT: PC vs. Thin Client – Economic Evaluation

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