Terminal services alternatives

[Aleksandar Milivojevic]

Ben Steeves wrote:
> The problem is the original poster wants to do this with *thin
> clients* on the client end, not full-blown PCs with Windows or Linux
> and an X server on them.  That's why I suggested SunRays.

I'm looking at Sun's web site right now, and SunRay price (just for 
hardware) is preatty much at and above the price of entry-level PC with 
decent monitor.  Hack, SunRay with 17" CRT is more than what I paid for 
P4 Dell with 17" LCD couple of days ago.  There's no any savings in 
going that way.  Buy entry-level PC, put a Linux on it, and make it to 
act as an X-Terminal.  Voila, you get thin client using standard PC 
components.  You can even make it diskless PC if you are into it.  Maybe 
not packaged into nice little cute box (which is possible with PC too, 
but would raise the price, hm, or maybe not if you shop around), but 
basically the same thing.

There's a reason why nobody (or almost nobody?) is making X-Terminals 
anymore.  PC prices are simple way too low to make any sense of selling 
dedicated X-Terminal boxes.

I can't find on Sun's Web site anything about protocols that are used 
between SunRay and server.  Is it standard X11?  Something propriatory 
that you need to buy licenses for?  Does it support XDMCP?  It just says 
"here's this nice cute little box, and we recommend SunRay server 3 
(extra $$$ for per-user licenses)".

I don't know if anybody is selling real X-Terminals anymore.  If there 
is, and he wants to have it simple without buying licenses for 
propriatory solutions, that might be another choice (as long as it is 
cheaper than entry-level PC).

-- 
Aleksandar Milivojevic <amilivojevic at pbl.ca>    Pollard Banknote Limited
Systems Administrator                           1499 Buffalo Place
Tel: (204) 474-2323 ext 276                     Winnipeg, MB  R3T 1L7