Secure Client

High Performance Thin Client Alternative

Professionals needing the security of a thin client as well as the power and graphical capabilities of a desktop have often had to resort to sending raw data over a secure connection for analysis by the server. This back and forth parsing of the data, especially in large volumes of graphical data, can cause severe delays in a typical thin client.

NextComputing's NextDimension line of flextop computers have the computing power and the required graphics capability to run powerful applications. With these capabilities, the client computer can perform data analysis before sending it to the server, with the same increased security as a typical thin client.

How do we do it?

First, the NextDimension line supports the Pre-Boot Execution Environment (PXE) when configured with the AMD Opteron™ 940 processors, allowing it to boot from a server on a network (via PXE boot), instead of from an internal hard drive.

High speed data capture/playback and/or extra co-processing power comes from integration of the highest end, open standards GPU processing boards from NVIDIA and ATI™ or other specialized PCI-x or PCI Express cards of the customer's choice.

For additional security, NextDimension systems can be configured without hard discs, so no local storage of valuable or sensitive data occurs. This eliminates the risk of losing proprietary data. With no physical storage, the data processing is local while the storage is remote, with the applications themselves residing on a server where they may be secured and updated in a centralized area. This remote data storage and application serving leaves the processors and PCI cards available for quicker data parsing.

Who benefits and why?

Thin client popularity is increasing in the Oil/Gas and Military/Intelligence industries due to hazardous environments coupled with data security issues. The thin client mitigates environmental factors and security concerns, and users of NextComputing's secure client application further benefit from:

• Reduced IT administration and hardware costs
• Enhanced data security
• Lower energy consumption
• Less network bandwidth
• Increased efficiency
• Longer life cycle
• Small footprint