Workstation Blade Client Comparisons Daryl Poe March 2007

Workstation Blade Client Comparisons Daryl Poe, March 2007

Client Options • Two Fully-Tested Blade Workstation Clients: – dc 72 Small Form Factor with Embedded OS • “Focused appliance” – t 5720 with Windows XPe • “General purpose” with RGS 12/13/2021 Client Settings 2

Feature Comparison dc 72 with Embedded OS Small Form Factor PC (13”x 4”x 15”) Custom Linux-based image focused entirely on RGS Full Performance 1 -4 Heads List ? ? ? Ultra-Quiet fan Solid-state Disk 12/13/2021 t 5720 with Windows XPe Thin Client + Expander (10”x 2”x 8”) Familiar Windows XPe OS 50% Performance (when taxed) 1 -2 Heads List $650 -$840 Passive Cooling Solid-state Disk Client Settings 3

OS Features dc 72 with Embedded OS Active Directory/DDNS (March ’ 07) t 5720 with Windows XPe Active Directory/DDNS Disk is Read-Only except config files Runs in Memory, special mode for storing config changes All ports and services disabled except RGS and webmin Normal XPe ports and services Fixed Configuration 12/13/2021 Can extend with Expansion Slot and added drivers Client Settings 4

Installation and Administration dc 72 with Embedded OS Remote Administration through https (webmin) Altiris Deployment Server (Basic Features) 12/13/2021 t 5720 with Windows XPe Remote Administration through RDP and Control Panels Altiris Deployment Server (More Features) Monolithic Software Image (like Firmware) Standard Thin Client XPe with post-installation of RGS Single-Step First-Time Installation HP rolls in occasional OS patches Many-Step First-Time Installation, then Mass Deploy User manages frequent OS patches (37 in 2006) Client Settings 5

Other Client Options For special requirements: • Any Workstation or PC with RGS Receiver Windows XP or Red Hat EL 3 – A full OS to set up and administer – • Data still lives in the backroom – More hardware options are available • >4 Monitors • Fiber Optic Networking • Many peripheral and storage options – 12/13/2021 More software available (video, VPNs, …) Client Settings 6

12/13/2021 Client Settings 7