About the Operating System
DisplayLink virtual graphics for Windows MultiPoint Server and Linux operating systems makes zero client computing a breeze for your organization. With a simple PC as your server and a USB-enabled client device with DisplayLink embedded to deliver virtual graphics at each work desk, up to 14 people can enjoy cost-effective desktop computing.
Worried about unauthorized software and copying? Then zero client computing is terrific because there's no disk or CD drive to copy with, except at the central server. All the software is installed just once: on the server PC, where any user can access it.
Just one copy of Windows MultiPoint Server is all the Windows software the entire group needs. For applications such as word processing, accounting, Web search, email and spreadsheet tasks, zero client is a great way to go.
One administrator—who truly does not need to be a guru—can handle the entire network easily. Zero client computing gives you just one technology point to care for: the server. Users never have to install or update software on their workstations.
Ideal Zero Client Environments
Classrooms
Small to Medium Businesses
Labs
Libraries
Retail Establishments
Data Centers
Emerging Markets
Shared Computing with Virtual Graphics Slices the Cost for Workgroups
Shared computing lowers costs by allowing up to 14 users to work off a single PC. Each user has a workstation that is no more than a monitor, keyboard / mouse, and a zero (or thin) client device that connects to the server PC with USB or Ethernet cable. Each thin or zero client device can deliver high-resolution graphics; that is, if it contains a DisplayLink virtual graphics chip.
The computing for the entire workgroup takes place in the server PC. Video processing happens at each client device, called a thin or zero client. The terms are almost synonymous, but zero clients usually cost less, have no internal memory, and need virtually zero maintenance. Zero client computing is a champ at providing low-cost, easy-to-oversee computing in classrooms, smaller businesses, libraries, and other group settings.
- Five, ten or even 14 users can work from their own keyboard and screen
- About 50% lower hardware cost than providing a PC to each user
- One central server (a standard PC) runs all software used by all the users
- Windows Multipoint Server is the operating system, installed on the central server
- Simple networking! with very easy network setup, administration and maintenance
- A full Windows experience for each user
Zero and thin client devices with DisplayLink embedded give the benefits of shared computing with superior video output for each user. You simply run a USB cable from the server to each client box.
Take a look at the short video which explains how it works. Each station consists of an inexpensive display, keyboard, and mouse that plug into the client device (under $80) that doesn't even need a power cord. The power comes through the USB cable, and every monitor is driven by a virtual graphics card in the zero client device.
Zero client computing is ideal for labs, classrooms or any group environments where:
- economy matters,
- you want to reduce power consumption,
- you do not want the workstations to be mobile, and
- security could be a problem