Zero Client: Are you ready for VDI?

Among the many endpoint devices for VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure), Zero Clients are one of the most widely preferred. What is a Zero Client? A Zero Client is a compact, powerful device that reduces power consumption, noise and maintenance in a VDI environment. Zero Clients boot up in a few seconds and are highly resistant to viruses, which reduces device downtime and increases user productivity.

Specifically, a Zero Client is an endpoint device without local storage or an operating system (OS), hence the name ‘Zero Client’. Instead of an operating system, a Zero Client has a highly tuned onboard processor designed for one of the three VDI protocols (PCoIP, HDX or RemoteFX).

Thin Client devices have an internal operating system and some local storage for customising end-user applications. With Zero Clients, a remote server provisions and manages all desktop applications.

The benefits of Zero Clients are described below.

Zero Client Advantages

• Fast boot-up times • Little or no maintenance • Less involvement of the IT department • High-resolution graphics capabilities • Higher security with lower power consumption; endpoints are protected from viruses. • Lower costs • Quick installation and deployment with no additional configuration • A quick boot-up that takes the end user directly to the VDI sign-on screen.

Why choose Zero Clients?

• From the end user's perspective, Zero Clients have very few endpoint issues, such as viruses, unexpected upgrades or system failures. IT professionals spend less time on management and maintenance, as all end users are centralised and upgrades are applied as group updates. • Apart from a few differences at login, desktop virtualisation with Zero Client endpoints looks and feels like a traditional desktop to the end user. When logging in, each user sees their personal desktop as usual, including their preferred settings. The end user can access the same desktop from anywhere, on any hardware device.

With these advantages, Zero Clients are well suited to the workplace. Thinvent offers its own cost-effective, high-quality Zero Client, the Micro 2. Its key features are: • Ultra-low power consumption (less than 5 watts) • Small form factor • Dual-core 1.2 GHz ARM processor • RDP support for Remote Desktop connectivity to Windows and Linux servers

These are only a few of its features.

For more information, contact our experts.