[THIN] Re: Blade Desktops??
- From: "Ron Oglesby" <roglesby@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <thin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2003 15:29:36 -0600
I don't know. It's a cool idea from a technology point of view BUT. I
mean what it really is is a SINGLE USER TERMINAL SERVER ... that is
where the windows XP remote control technology came from anyway.
I mean in most cases if a customer is looking to consolidate their PCs
into the terminal server arena (the closet the server room etc) there
are several common reasons to leave the PC on the desktop Some technical
some not:
1. Non-multiuser apps
2. Video intensive apps like Video streaming (that even when done via
Citrix and works ok it kills the network because the Citrix traffic that
just got FAT is not multi-cast but normal video could be)
3. processor intensive applications like CAD etc (also video intensive I
know)
4. Users Want a "PC" on their desktop not a "terminal", need that floppy
driver or CD and sound etc.
5. The feeling of taking something away from the user. Etc.
Anyway out of those 5 only two would be successful as a replacement for
terminal server (Processor intensive and non multiuser apps). The others
still leave the same problems terminal servers have. Video transmission
(no longer multicast) and run through RDP or a look alike protocol, No
PC on the desktop and instead a Terminal . and the users wind up with a
feeling they had something taken away. And now you have a bunch of
mini-me terminal servers you have to manage.
Anyway I see it as another piece in the tool box that may be a pretty
small niche at least for a few years. I guess my thoughts are that the
entire industry is looking at consolidation and using technology to
fully utilize hardware resources (like VMWARE, terminal server/Citrix
etc.) instead of have 20 1 ghz processors at 15% utilization all day
they want fewer procs and let them share time (let them eat cake as it
were)
</RANT>
Ron Oglesby
Senior Technical Architect
RapidApp
Office 312.372.7188
Mobile 815.325.7618
email roglesby@xxxxxxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: Jennifer Booth [mailto:jennifer.booth@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 3:10 PM
To: 'thin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'
Subject: [THIN] Blade Desktops??
Check this out...it's got a ways to go, but could be an interesting
technology, particularly for development/support/QA. From
http://msn-cnet.com.com/2100-1003_3-5102943.html?part=msn-cnet&subj=cdf&;
tag=
mymsn:
Hewlett-Packard will try to take the desktop off the desk later this
month,
when it formally unveils the Consolidated Client Infrastructure, its
latest
blade computing system for corporations.
Under CCI, a user's data and software runs on a centrally managed rack
of
blade computers and storage devices. Individuals can use handhelds,
keyboards, terminals or even PCs and notebooks to tap into their data.
The system differs from terminal, or thin client, systems in that all
users
work on full-fledged Windows XP PCs that are assigned to them--the
computers
just happen to be in a closet. In terminal systems, users are working on
a
sliver of server space.
Consolidating computing power in this manner can reduce information
technology management costs, according to advocates, and can also make
it a
lot easier to get individuals back online if a PC crashes.
Austin, Texas-based start-up ClearCube Technology came out with the
first
bladed desktop systems. The company has installed bladed desktop systems
at
financial institutions and at some military installations. IBM has
resold
some ClearCube systems, but HP is the first major manufacturer to
develop
and market its own blade-based desktop system. To date, the blade
concept
has been mostly used to squeeze servers and communication equipment more
efficiently into racks.
HP's interest in bladed desktops first came to light in May. The company
is
expected to discuss CCI at Comdex, the annual computing trade show that
begins Nov. 16 in Las Vegas. HP sent out a statement that the company
will
discuss there under nondisclosure agreements "a new business computing
model
that offers customers greater manageability, flexibility and long-term
cost
savings."
HP could not be reached for comment. Typically, the company does not
comment
on unannounced products.
Although HP is expected to tout that CCI can cut desktop management
costs by
up to 50 percent, the hardware isn't cheap. A blade with a 1GHz Intel
Pentium M processor and a hard drive will cost about $2,000, according
to
sources. A blade that has a 1.8GHz Efficeon Transmeta processor will
cost
$1,000.
To access data, HP is recommending that corporations adopt HP terminals,
which also contain Transmeta processors.
Jennifer
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********************************************************
This Week's Sponsor - RTO Software / TScale
What's keeping you from getting more from your terminal servers? Did you
know, in most cases, CPU Utilization IS NOT the single biggest
constraint to scaling up?! Get this free white paper to understand the
real constraints & how to overcome them. SAVE MONEY by scaling-up rather
than buying more servers.
http://www.rtosoft.com/Enter.asp?ID=147
**********************************************************
Useful Thin Client Computing Links are available at:
http://thethin.net/links.cfm
New! Online Thin Computing Magazine Site
http://www.OnDemandAccess.com
For Archives, to Unsubscribe, Subscribe or
set Digest or Vacation mode use the below link:
http://thethin.net/citrixlist.cfm
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