Do I need a thick client or a thin client?

In the computer world, clients are essential for the architecture of systems. Clients are programs that interact with servers, so you can get information from that server.

Clients allow you to work with data without connecting to another computer. They can come in many forms, like desktop, web-based, or mobile applications.

Generally, clients split into 2 types: thick clients and thin clients. While both have different purposes, its essential to understand the distinctions between the two, to make the most informed decision when it comes to your business or personal computing needs. Lets explore the best for you.

Ill first dive into thick clients.

The most expensive and powerful computers in the world are nothing without their manual labor. A thick client, or a fat client, is a computing workstation that includes most or all components essential for operating software applications independently. That also includes monitor screens with input capabilities, so you can interact directly on-screen.

We cant say that a computer system that only has monitors is a thick client. Why? Because you already have an option where you dont need anything else besides your keyboard!

The thick client is a component that has access to resources on a server, but doesnt require any processing power for its use. Its also been the go-to for many years because of its customizable features and greater control over system configuration.

Workplaces often provide thick clients to their employees so they can continue even when they disconnect. Thick client computers communicate with one another in a P2P fashion. As a result, they dont require constant server communication, because they always have at least one active connection between them.

Clients with thick client operating systems also experience faster response times and more excellent durability.. Conversely, those who dont use thick clients need to lease server computing resources from an outside source. Unfortunately, thatll cost them speed and money.

If your environment has limited storage and computing capacity, youll likely need a thick client. That said, the rise in the work-from-home model may create issues with thick clients. Thats because youll need access at all times. These issues could also lead to potential problems because the client is too slow while online, so it might not always function correctly. That is, unless you dont get interrupted while using it!

The thick client is a computer that company employees receive. In general, its safe to assume most of them will need the same applications and files on their device! Thats why, the thick client is also a perfect option for businesses that require all the hardware and software needed. The employee only needs to connect their computer with company servers and download any updates or data required; they wont ever disconnect from work!

Thick clients are also excellent if you want to work remotely. You can now get your job done without an internet connection, which means you wont disconnect from the office even if youre in the field! You also wont be wasting money on data plans. Finally, a thick client will allow you to work with all the files saved on the hard drive, assuming you dont need internet access.

Lets now move on to thin clients.

Thin clients are the new wave of computer technology. They work remotely in an environment where most applications and sensitive data exist on servers, not locally!

They also offer more power than the typical laptop or PC. Thin clients are powerful workstations that have the memory and storage needed to run applications and in-house computing tasks. As a result, they dont rely heavily upon outside resources. That also cuts down the waiting time to fetch data from afar!

The concept of a thin client device is to function as a virtual desktop, using the computing power residing on networked servers. The central server may also be an on-premise or cloud-based system.

Companies with limited resources may use thin clients, because they dont want employees to use up data while browsing online. Thin clients are also perfect because they still allow workers to perform essential tasks without having any hiccups in service.

A thin client is an excellent choice if you focus on the perfect balance of performance and portability. In addition, machine learning solutions can also help businesses optimize their resources by analyzing data from all over your network in real-time! Many companies specialize in this field, but some very reputable manufacturers offer both desktop computers and laptops, like Dell and HP.

Generally, an in-house developer develops the thick client that resides on a local machine. On the other hand, a thin client is where all of the processing happens on the server-side and displays data to the user through a browser or app. In the table below, I summarize the differences between a thick client and a thin client.

Basically, this is a head-to-head comparison of thick and thin clients. Consider these features carefully and decide which client you want to adopt. Each client also has its advantages and disadvantages, so you should weigh the risks against the benefits.

Thick clients are programs that reside on the local machine. On the other hand, thin clients are where all the processing happens on the server-side and displays data to users through a browser or app. If youre looking for an easy way to decide which type of application is best for your needs, think about how much control you want over the user interface and how important security is to you. In this article, Ive explained everything you need to know about the thick client and thin client, so you can make the best decision for your applications.

Still have questions? Check out the FAQs and Resources below.

Get The Latest Tech News

Microsoft Outlook, G-Talk, Yahoo messenger, and online trading portals are examples of thick clients. A thick client is basically a functional computer that can connect to a server. It also has its own operating system, software, and processing capabilities. In all, theyre ideal for workplaces that encourage remote work, because they also allow for working offline.

Thin client applications are web-based, browser-based programs that dont require any installation on the users side. Its mainly a gateway to the network. Thin clients are also good for minimal workloads, as they cant handle much data processing. The most common thin client we see today is the web browser!

Laptops may be small and portable, but theyre not always the best option. They need configuration to sync to your companys resources, and you may be stuck working on two devices when you go to the office. A better alternative is a thin client. Its an economy-sized desktop computer designed to function primarily as your resource server for most tasks accessible remotely. You can transfer everything you pay for on a thin client to a desktop, and its perfect if you want to begin working from home.

Employees across industries use thin clients, because theyre cost-effective and convenient. They also help replace computers, especially if you need the processing power that comes with them locally on your network.

Thin clients are a great way to get online without having an expensive computer. You can use them at home just so long as you have good internet access. If youre working from home, you can support, manage, and configure thin clients remotely. That makes it an amazing option if youre worried about the configuration time! Its also good for those who lack the necessary IT knowledge to manage their client.

Learn all about network segmentation here.

Explore the top 5 open source storage projects for Kubernetes in this article.

Learn more about cloud cost management: purpose, advantages, and best practices here.

Understand the limitations of TCP vs. UPD here.

Find out all about restructuring a legacy network with a VLAN here.

Read the original here:
Thick Client vs. Thin Client: Learn The Difference to Choose the Best For You. - TechGenix

When it's applied well, technology helps organizations to thrive, innovate, and be competitive. Todays digital landscape boasts a wealth of new business models, cost efficiencies and improved bottom lines. The impact of technology on the environment and its contribution to our carbon footprint is often myopically overlooked in organizational strategy and planning though. A peer-reviewed study stated in 2018 if the IT industry continues at the current rate, the sector will contribute to 14% of the global carbon emissions by 2040.

About the author

Matt Frank is Head of Cloud Modernization at Ancoris.

With that in mind, how can businesses define technology sustainability without resorting to a morass of buzzwords, or merely Greenwashing what they do? Sustainable technology takes into account natural resources and fosters economic, social, and ecological development. The ultimate goal is to reduce environmental and ecological risks and drive long term societal value for all.

Many organizations have been slow to adopt meaningful technology sustainability initiatives, and some claim there are too many different metrics to measure sustainable technology adoption effectively. Its clear pressure from organizational stakeholders has increased significantly though. Nearly 1 in 3 consumers have reportedly stopped partnering with certain companies because theyve had ethical or sustainability-related concerns. Similarly, when companies want to buy new products and services from suppliers, modern procurement teams assess the sustainability position of the supplier. Organizations would therefore be wise to think big and start now and factor sustainability into their technology operations.

As of 2021, almost 60% of the Earths population are active internet users. As businesses and individuals generate more data than ever before, the technology industry is faced with the challenge of mitigating the impact data centers and other IT Infrastructure have on the environment and on natural resource consumption. The worlds data centers reportedly now use more electricity than the United Kingdoms total electricity consumption, to provide the power and cooling needed to maintain temperature-controlled environments that function 24/7.

Cryptocurrencies are also incredibly resource-intensive, especially proof of work currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. At the time of writing, they are massive drivers of data center resource consumption. Bitcoin is currently estimated to have a similar carbon footprint to Kuwait, consume as much power as Thailand, and generate similar amounts of electronic waste as Holland does. A single Bitcoin transaction consumes as much electricity as an average U.S. household does in about 75 days, and generates e-waste equivalent to throwing two iPhones straight in the bin.

The number of data centers worldwide has grown significantly from 500,000 in 2012, to more than 8 million today. The amount of energy used by data centers continues to double every four years, resulting in the IT sector having the fastest-growing energy footprint globally. Its clear data centers have a massive impact on sustainability globally, which has led software giants like Google to make sure theyre following a path via net-zero to being fully carbon neutral (and in some cases, carbon-negative). As the first Cloud Service Provider to go carbon-neutral in 2007, Google is the frontrunner in committing to using renewable energy sources and ensuring its data centers use 50% less energy than the industry average. The company is targeting being fully carbon-free by 2030 globally and has implemented highly efficient evaporative cooling solutions, smart temperature, lighting controls, and custom-built servers which use as little energy as possible.

Many organizations dont have the financial resources available for extensive, dedicated sustainability initiatives for their data centers and wider technology operations. Net-zero actions, like buying enough high-quality carbon offsets to offset carbon impact, and carbon-neutral actions like converting or upgrading data centers to be carbon neutral, are both costly.

There are measures that can be put in place relatively easily to become more energy-efficient and reduce your technology carbon footprint. The biggest opportunity lies with Cloud computing. Choosing a public Cloud provider like Google who is actively neutralizing their carbon footprint, and are committed to and focused on going beyond net-zero, is a relatively easy win.

A key factor in the technology industrys reduction of CO2 emissions has been the consolidation of on-premise data centers into larger-scale Cloud-based facilities. Cloud Providers data centers leverage economies of scale to manage power consumption efficiently, optimize cooling (and hence water consumption), deploy power-efficient servers at scale, and maximize server utilization. Organizations can take advantage of these benefits as well as the improved cybersecurity, scalability and potential operational and cost efficiencies migrating to the Cloud brings.

Accentures report The Green Behind the Cloud corroborates this by stating migrations to the Cloud will reduce global carbon emissions by as much as 59 million tons of CO2 annually.

Momentum in the sustainable technology movement has been building for some time. Its no longer possible (or reasonable) for organizations to overlook their obligations to society, and not implement sustainability best practices. Technology industry consumers, partners and stakeholders are committing to sustainable and ecologically positive behavior and expect businesses in the sector to do the same.

Businesses need to consider what they can do, but when and what to plan, their step towards a more sustainable IT landscape. For many organizations, Cloud migration (or further Cloud adoption) is the fastest and best route to get to fully carbon-neutral IT operations. Being Cloud-based means organizations use less power and help them reduce their carbon emissions. Businesses operating in the Cloud will consume around 77% fewer servers, and lower their reliance on expensive and ecologically harmful on-premise or hosted data centers.

At TechRadar Pro, we've featured the best green web hosting.

The rest is here:
Can the right cloud provider address the sustainability problem? - TechRadar

Intel has celebrated the grand opening of a major $3 billion extension to its D1X factory in Oregon, USA, used for the development and manufacturing of advanced new processors and chip technologies.

As part of the expansion, the 500-acre campus has been renamed Gordon Moore Park, after the man who in 1965 predicted that the number of transistors on a chip would double every year, and the cost per unit halve.

In addition to increasing Intels manufacturing capacity, the extension will play a pivotal role in the companys research and development (R&D) activity, with the aim of propelling Moores Law long into the future.

In early 2021, Intel made public a reworking of its integrated device manufacturing strategy, which the company called IDM 2.0. The broad objective is to position Intel at the bleeding edge of chip design and manufacturing during a period of unprecedented demand.

The expansion of DX1 will afford Intel an additional 270,000 square feet of clean room space to help develop next-generation process nodes, transistor architectures and packaging technologies, which the company says will provide the foundation for new chips for personal and business computers, 5G networks, cloud servers and more.

"Since its founding, Intel has been devoted to relentlessly advancing Moores Law. This new factory space will bolster our ability to deliver the accelerated process roadmap required to support our bold IDM 2.0 strategy, company CEO Pat Gelsinger said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Oregon is the longtime heart of our global semiconductor R&D, and I can think of no better way to honor Gordon Moores legacy than by bestowing his name on this campus, which, like him, has had such a tremendous role in advancing our industry.

The upgrade to the Oregon campus is one of a number of recent multi-billion-dollar investments designed to boost Intels manufacturing capacity and pace of innovation.

In January, the company revealed it would splash $20 billion on a state-of-the-art manufacturing campus in Ohio, USA. This 1,000 acre mega-site will house up to eight separate fabs, which would make it one of the largest facilities in the world.

Last month, meanwhile, Intel announced plans to invest tens of billions into a litany semiconductor manufacturing projects across Europe, the largest of which will see 17 billion funelled towards a new site in Germany that will produce top-tier chips for both Intel itself and customers of Intel Foundry Services (IFS).

The company also recently acquired Tower Semiconductor for roughly $5.4 billion, a move designed to broaden the IFS portfolio with process technologies for specialist but high-growth markets such as automotive, medical and aerospace.

Visit link:
Intel beefs up 500-acre mega factory to help put AMD and others to the sword - TechRadar

SOFIA, Bulgaria--(BUSINESS WIRE)--StorPool Storage was listed as the 413th fastest-growing company in Europe as part of Financial Times in-depth special report focused on organizations that achieved the highest compound annual growth rate in revenue between 2017 and 2020.

Tens of thousands of companies from 33 countries were invited to participate in the project. The ranking was compiled with research company Statista across a broad range of sectors. StorPool achieved a CAGR during the queried timeframe of 69.29 percent. This was nearly double the minimum average growth rate 36.5 percent required to be included in this years ranking.

The companies that made the final cut were sufficiently resilient and in some cases, lucky to survive a collapse in demand caused by coronavirus restrictions, trade frictions due to Brexit, and a long-running global supply chain squeeze, read the report.

StorPool accelerates the world by storing data more productively and helping businesses streamline their operations. StorPool storage systems are ideal for storing and managing the data of demanding primary workloads - databases, web servers, virtual desktops, real-time analytics solutions, and other mission-critical software. Under the hood, the primary storage platform provides thin-provisioned volumes to the workloads and applications running in on-premise clouds. The native multi-site, multi-cluster and BC/DR capabilities supercharge hybrid- and multi-cloud efforts at scale.

The keys to our success involve a superior product, dedicated team and partners who help us supply leading technology solutions for global companies, said Boyan Ivanov, CEO at StorPool Storage. Whether locally, nationally or across continents, StorPool delivers the ideal foundation for large-scale clouds running mission-critical workloads. We are pleased to have our hard work recognized by Financial Times as one of the fastest growing companies in Europe. We believe our continued success will enable us to earn this recognition for years to come.

About StorPool Storage

StorPool Storage is a primary storage platform designed for large-scale cloud infrastructure. It is the easiest way to convert sets of standard servers into primary or secondary storage systems. The StorPool team has experience working with various clients Managed Service Providers, Hosting Service Providers, Cloud Service Providers, enterprises and SaaS vendors. StorPool Storage comes as a software, plus a fully managed data storage service that transforms standard hardware into fast, highly available and scalable storage systems.

Link:
StorPool Named One of Europe's Fastest-Growing Companies - Business Wire

The Atlassian outage that began on April 5 is likely to last a bit longer for the several hundred customers affected.

In a statement emailed to The Register, a company spokesperson said the reconstruction effort could last another two weeks.

The company's spokesperson explained its engineers ran a script to delete legacy data as part of a scheduled maintenance for unidentified cloud products. But the script went above and beyond its official remit by trashing everything.

"This data was from a deprecated service that had been moved into the core datastore of our products," Atlassian's spokesperson said. "Instead of deleting the legacy data, the script erroneously deleted sites, and all associated products for those sites including connected products, users, and third-party applications."

Atlassian, which has been trying to repair the damage of its errant script, on Friday said it expected "most site recoveries to occur with minimal or no data loss." And so far, though data has been deleted, Atlassian has been able to revive it.

"We maintain extensive backup and recovery systems, and there has been no data loss for customers that have been restored to date," Atlassian's spokesperson said, and stressed that this was not the consequence of a cyberattack and that no authorized access to customer data has occurred.

Jira Software, Jira Work Management, Jira Service Management and Confluence continue to show problems on the Atlassian status page, as do Opsgenie and Atlassian Access. Jira provides software issue tracking while Confluence offers a web-based corporate wiki. Opsgenie is an alert service and Atlassian Access is an identity and access management service.

Onsite JIRA installations have not been affected. Self-managed servers are on the way out, however: Back in October, 2020, Atlassian announced the discontinuation of its server products it stopped selling new licenses on February 2, 2021 and plans to end support for its server products on February 2, 2024. The reason, the company explained last year, is that the cloud is the future.

"We know this outage is unacceptable and we are fully committed to resolving this," Atlassian's spokesperson said. "Our global engineering teams are working around the clock to achieve full and safe restoration for our approximately 400 impacted customers and they are continuing to make progress on this incident."

As we reported earlier on Monday, the software biz says it has restored functionality for more than 35 per cent of those affected by the service outage.

Atlassian said that the company is doing everything it can to restore service as fast as possible but until today it had been unable to provide a likely recovery date due to the complexity of the rebuilding process.

"While we are beginning to bring some customers back online, we estimate the rebuilding effort to last for up to two more weeks," the company said.

That's quite a bit longer than the "<6 hours" recovery time promised by the company for Tier 1 services like Jira and Confluence.

"We know this is not the news our customers are hoping for, and we apologize for the length and severity of this incident. We dont take this issue lightly and are taking steps to prevent future reoccurrence."

See the article here:
At last, Atlassian sees an end to its outage ... in two weeks - The Register