ThinAnywhere - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is thin client?
What is thin client middleware?
How thin is thin?
Who needs thin client middleware?
Do applications requiring OPENGL or Pex 3D require any changes?
Can a device on a UNIX server be used by a NT client?
Where can I purchase ThinAnywhere?
I use some unusual X features such as backing store, does this work?
I have a T1 connection. Do I need ThinAnywhere?

What is thin client?

Thin refers to low bandwidth lines such as wireless devices, dial up modems (up to 56K bits per second), slow satellite connections (up to 64K) and ISDN 128K lines. High bandwidth lines can be thought of as fat.

The word client is used as part of the notion of client-server computing. Other than the console, terminals which connect to the server computer are called clients. These client terminals, or workstations, connect to servers by local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), virtual private networks (VPN), Internet or Intranet.

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What is thin client middleware?

Thin client middleware is a software layer that sits between the application running on the server and the screen on the client device. This middleware layer transforms the information on the server into a proprietary protocol. The information then goes through proprietary compression and encryption algorithms and is sent to the client device where it is decompressed, decrypted and displayed to the screen.

Calculating the size of a typical 1024 x 768 screen with 256 colors defined yields 201,326,592 bits of data. On a ISDN line, with a speed of 128,000 bits per second, it would take 1572 seconds to transfer this screen from the server to the client. Using ThinAnywhere the same screen will transfer in about 2 seconds depending on the exact content of the screen.

By using a ThinAnywhere it is not necessary to change any of the application code to instantly utilize virtually any software application over a LAN, WAN, VPN, Internet or Intranet.

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How thin is thin?

Any network having a sustained speed of less than or equal to about 10m bits per second would benefit from thin client middleware. Also any network without security, no matter the speed, would benefit from ThinAnywhere. In addition to the normal UNIX and Linux security, ThinAnywhere provides both certificate based authentication and AES 128 bit security. See home page for link to AES.

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Who needs thin client middleware?

Any person, organization or Application Service Provider needs thin client middleware to instantly deploy, run and manage software applications in a client server environment. Companies who wish to allow their customers or employees to collaborate, with each running the same application and seeing the exact same screen in different locations simultaneously in real time, can benefit by reducing the cost of travel and client visits. Doctors will use it to seek second opinions in diagnosis. Companies wishing to reduce or eliminate duplicate purchases of software and computer assets for different locations can consolidate the assets and give all employees access. Studies have shown that by consolidating computer assets the total cost of ownership can be reduced by as much as 50% over a few years.

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Do applications requiring OPENGL or Pex 3D require any changes?

ThinAnywhere directly interfaces with the frame buffers and captures all X, OPENGL, and Pex 3D graphics calls at the system levels thus no changes to applications code or special libraries are needed.

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Can a device on a UNIX server be used by a NT client?

ThinAnywhere directly interfaces to devices on the server and client level and establishes a direct connection to devices using a small program on both the client and server side for communication. By using this method devices on the client machine appear to applications software to be part of the available server devices. This means that printers, plotters and tape drives work in their native mode even when the server and client machines have different operating systems.

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Where can I purchase ThinAnywhere?

ThinAnywhere can be purchased directly from the manufacturer by contacting Mercury International Technology, Inc.. For more on contact information see contact us section.

I use some unusual X features such as backing store, does this work?

Backing store and other obscure features of X are supported and do work in ThinAnywhere?

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I have a T1 connection. Do I need ThinAnywhere?

We are glad you asked. Yes you do! ThinAnywhere can provide you with the three S's.

Speed:     Up to 5 times faster than strait X11. See the chart below for the numbers.
Security:   AES encryption (X11 has none)
Stability:   Reconnection if Internet connection fails

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