Revisiting Client/Server Computing

The role of the Information Technology department is changing as it continues to mature and adapt to changes in technology, much of that change dealing with its interaction with corporate end-users. IT departments must continue to move in a more user friendly direction or they are going to encounter serious political problems with top management. The increased interest in cloud computing, green computing, and in outsourcing are further indicators of the problems that IT departments are currently facing.   Information Technology departments must approach client/server with a clear view of the lasting business benefits that it can bring rather than opposing or resisting the migratio

MobiThin management framework: design and evaluation

In thin client computing, applications are executed on centralized servers. User input (e.g. keystrokes) is sent to a remote server which processes the event and sends the audiovisual output back to the client. This enables execution of complex applications from thin devices. Adopting virtualization technologies on the thin client server brings several advantages, e.g. dedicated environments for each user and interesting facilities such as migration tools. In this paper, a mobile thin client service offered to a large number of mobile users is designed. Pervasive mobile thin client computing requires an intelligent service management to guarantee a high user experience. Due to the dynamic environment, the service management framework has to monitor the environment and intervene when necessary (e.g. adapt thin client protocol settings, move a session from one server to another). A detailed performance analysis of the implemented prototype is presented. It is shown that the prototype can handle up to 700 requests/s to start the mobile thin client service. The prototype can make a decision for up to 700 monitor reports per second

Client-Server Computing: Getting your Feet Wet

Tremendous growth of client-server (C-S) computing is expected throughout the 1990s. Computer information systems (CIS) curricula are faced with the ongoing challenge of providing client-server instruction while technologies and methodologies are still evolving. To keep pace with this dynamic environment, faculty must begin building initial client-server experiences into the CIS curriculum. The purpose of this paper is to describe one institution\u27s experiences getting its client-server feet wet. First, fundamental concepts of client-server are considered. Second, basic questions about introducing C-S to the CIS curriculum are addressed. Next, the introduction of client-server computing at Western Carolina University is described. Finally, future client-server changes are considered

Self management of a mobile thin client service

Mobile thin client computing is an enabler for the execution of demanding applications from mobile handhelds. In thin client computing, the application is executed on remote servers and the mobile handheld only has to display the graphical updates and send input from the user to the remote execution environment. To guarantee a high user experience in a mobile environment, a Service Management Framework is required to prevent users observing lower Quality of Experience due to changes in the available network, server and client resources. Therefore, the Service Management Framework monitors the environment and the Self Management component intervenes when necessary, e.g. by adapting the thin client protocol settings or moving a user session from one server to another. The design of the Self Management component is presented and the performance is evaluated