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Managing Enterprise Complexity

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DQI Bureau
New Update

To reduce the total cost of

computing ownership, an organization needs to leverage on everything that's there in its

current computing infrastructure-hardware, applications, network and training.

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Faced with an ever-changing

computing environment, IT professionals need to improve the efficiency of

business-critical application deployment. And all of this must be accomplished alongwith:

Managing and supporting users in a

timely and cost-effective manner.



Extending access to business-critical applications to dispersed users-regardless of
connection, location or device.



Ensuring exceptional application performance.


Providing right security for enterprise-level computing.





These challenges have made

enterprise-wide application deployment more daunting. The reason being that the products

developed to this point address only one, or possibly two, of the following obstacles:

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MANAGEMENT: From a management

perspective, traditional enterprise application deployment is often time consuming,

expensive and difficult to manage. Not only do administrators have to physically

distribute applications to every client, but they also have to deal with version control

issues, remote support, multiple system configurations and data replication. When

confronted with thousands of users, the cost of application ownership may spiral out of

control.

ACCESS: Today's corporate computing

landscape comprises a heterogeneous mix of desktop devices, network connectivity and

operating systems. Access to vital Windows-based applications is difficult-or in the case

of internet/intranet computing, nonexistent-and often involves costly upgrades,

problematic emulation software and complete application rewrites.

PERFORMANCE: Most corporate

applications today are designed for high-bandwidth networks and powerful desktop

computers. This type of application design puts tremendous strain on congested corporate

networks and yields poor performance over lower-bandwidth, remote connections. Due to

this, many users simply avoid using the vital applications and data to get their work

done. When this happens, redundant work and significant decreases in productivity are

often the result.

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SECURITY: Security is also a

challenge, because in traditional client server architectures, business-critical

applications and data live on both the server and the client desktops spread throughout

the world. Not only this increases the risk of unauthorized access, but also the risk of

lost or stolen information.

How to overcome

One way to overcome these obstacles

can be server-based computing. It is a model in which applications are deployed, managed,

supported and executed entirely on a server. It uses a multi-user operating system and a

method for distributing the presentation of an application's interface to a client device.

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With server-based computing, client

devices, whether 'fat' or 'thin,' have instant access to business-critical applications

via the server-without application rewrites or downloads. This means improved efficiency

when deploying business-critical applications. In addition, server-based computing works

within the current computing infrastructure and current computing standards and with the

current and future family of Windows-based offerings.

How server-based computing works?

The server-based computing model

employs three critical components. The first is a multi-user operating system that enables

multiple concurrent users to log on and run applications in separate, protected sessions

on a single server. The second is a computing technology that separates an application's

logic from its user interface, so only keystrokes, mouse clicks and screen updates travel

the network. As a result, application performance is bandwidth-independent. The third key

component, centralized application and client management, enables large computing

environments to overcome the critical application deployment challenges of management,

access, performance and security.

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Server-based computing is made

possible by two Citrix technologies: Citrix Independent Computing Architecture (ICA) and

Citrix MultiWin. The ICA protocol shifts application processing from the client device to

the server. MultiWin, the technology licensed by Citrix to Microsoft to jointly create

Terminal Server, enables multiple users to simultaneously access applications running on a

server.

What is ICA?

ICA is a Windows presentation

services protocol from Citrix that provides the foundation for turning any client

device-'thin' or 'fat' into the ultimate thin client. The ICA technology includes a server

software component, a network protocol component and a client software component.

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On the server, ICA has the unique

ability to separate the application's logic from the user interface at the server and

transport it to the client over standard network protocols like IPX, SPX, NetBEUI, TCP/IP

and PPP; and over popular network connections like asynchronous, dial-up, ISDN, frame

relay and ATM.

On the client, users see and work

with the application's interface, but the full application logic executes on the server.

The ICA protocol transports key strokes, mouse clicks and screen updates over standard

protocols to the client, consuming less than 20 Kbps of network bandwidth. ICA allows only

keystrokes, mouse clicks and screen updates to travel through the network. As a result,

applications consume just a fraction of the network bandwidth usually required.

Server-based computing Vs network

computing

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While all three computing models

have a valid role in today's enterprises, it's important to note the differences between

them. In the traditional client server architecture, processing is centered around local

execution using 'fat', powerful hardware components. In the network computing architecture

as defined by Sun, Oracle, Netscape, IBM and Apple, components are downloaded from the

network in to the client device for execution by the client. But with Citrix server-based

computing approach, users can access business-critical applications-including 32-bit

Windows-based and Java applications-without requiring them to be downloaded to the client.

This approach also provides considerable total cost of application ownership savings since

these applications are centrally managed and can be accessed by uses without having to

rewrite them. The server-based computing delivers both host computing and personal

computing.

HOST COMPUTING: Single-point

management



Physically and technically secure


Predictable ownership costs


Mission-critical reliability


Bandwidth-independent performance


Universal application access.



PERSONAL COMPUTING: Thousands of

off-the-shelf applications



Low-cost and fast-cycle application development




Standards based


Graphical, rich data and easy to use


Wide choice of device types and suppliers.

What is a WBT?

A Windows-Based terminal (WBT) is a

thin-client hardware device that connects to Citrix server-based system software. Since

the applications it accesses are installed on the server, a WBT is not the equivalent of a

PC with its operating system and array of local applications. Nor is it interchangeable

with a network computer or NetPC, because these devices download and run applications off

the network.

The key criteria that distinguishes

WBTs from other thin-client devices, such as NCs or NetPCs, is that there is no

downloading of the operating system or applications, and there is no local processing of

applications at the client. All executing of the application logic occurs on the server.

WBTs have the following characteristics:

An embedded operating system such as

DOS, Windows CE or any real-time operating system.



ICA or Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) presentation services protocol to transport
keystrokes, mouse clicks and screen updates between the client and server. Entire

server-based execution of application logic.




No local executing of application at
the client device.



A WBT may incorporate third-party emulation software such as X, 3270 and 5250 for
connection to other host systems.

The 'thinness' of a WBT and the

various benefits of server-based computing make these thin clients ideal for certain types

of workers and market segments. For example, task-based employees which primarily works

with line-of-business applications, such as order entry, would be ideal candidates for a

WBT. Retail organizations operating point-of-sale terminals, and branch locations of banks

and stores, are markets that are also rapidly adopting these thin clients. WBTs are also

well suited for existing 'green screen' terminal users moving to a Windows environment.

Benefits of server based computing

Bring server-based computing to

heterogeneous computing environments providing access to Windows-based

applications-regardless of client hardware, operating platform, network connection or LAN

protocol.

Offers enterprise-scale management

tools to allow IT professionals to scale deploy, manage and support applications from a

single location.

Provide seamless desktop integration

of the user's local and remote resources and applications with exceptional performance.

Server-based computing solution

scenarios

With server-based computing,

customers can increase productivity and develop a competitive advantage by gaining

universal access to business-critical applications they need to operate successfully. This

is regardless of the connection, location, or operating systems they may be using.

The following solution scenarios

demonstrate how server-based computing can help customers overcome the challenges of

enterprise-wide application deployment:

BRANCH-OFFICE COMPUTING: This is for

manageable, secure application deployment and access over corporate WANs.

PROBLEMS: To serve and support

customers in a better way, many enterprises are opening branch offices. However, this is

creating difficulties for administrators who lack resources to adequately staff these new

offices. One such problem is database replication. Many times, individual LANs are built

for each branch office. Configuring and managing these branch-office LANs-and the

information on them-creates numerous management challenges. Another problem is application

performance. Since most branch offices are connected by WANs to headquarters, vital data

and applications must travel back and forth across the network. This type of set-up

creates numerous user delays and unacceptable application response. Previously, the only

option was a bigger WAN connection, which meant increasing costs, not just once, but on an

ongoing basis.

SOLUTION: Server-based computing is

a better solution because it minimizes network traffic, even for Windows-based, 32-bit

applications. This approach allows applications to be deployed, supported and managed from

a central location.

CROSS-PLATFORM COMPUTING: This is

for windows-based application deployment to non-Windows desktop users.

PROBLEMS: In today's era of global

consolidation, many enterprises are buying and merging new companies into their

organizations, as well as adding their own new employees and locations around the world.

Typically, this has resulted in a widely diverse set of client devices, operating systems,

processing power and connectivity options across the enterprise.

For IT professionals, trying to

leverage existing technology investments while deploying business-critical applications-

especially the latest 32-bit Windows-based applications-for all users has become more

difficult. As a result, organizations have to resort to using problematic emulation

software, purchase additional hardware and invest in costly application rewrites.

SOLUTION: Server-based computing is

a better, more cost-effective solution because it enables virtually any existing device in

the enterprise to access Windows based applications without special emulation software,

changes in system configuration or application rewrites. This means that enterprises can

maximize their investment in existing technology and allow users to work in their

preferred computing environments.

WEB COMPUTING: It allows remote

users to access full-function Windows-based applications from web pages.

PROBLEM: Web computing is taking

off. But to deploy interactive applications on an intranet or the internet, application

development is required. The Java applet 'download-and-run' model is not an extension of

any current computing technology. New software and, often, new hardware are required to

successfully deploy these solutions. Every time the application changes, the web-based

application needs to change as well. l

SOLUTION: Server-based computing

enables administrators to launch and embed corporate Windows-based applications into HTML

pages without rewriting a single line of code. Plus, it eliminates the need to manage and

maintain two separate sets of code.

REMOTE COMPUTING: It gives

high-performance, secure access to business-critical applications over remote, dial-up

connections.

PROBLEMS: The changing work

environment is allowing increasingly more employees to work away from the office-at home,

hotels, customer locations etc. This means that a wide variety of network connections are

being used to access corporate applications. Unfortunately, the lower the bandwidth, the

lower the application performance. Due to this, many remote users are avoiding corporate

applications altogether, as they'd rather work than wait.

Another factor is application

management and support for remote users. Administrators are forced to spend enormous time

trying to diagnose and correct problems over the phone. Unfortunately, the problems are

usually not resolved in the first time.

SOLUTION: Server-based computing

works better for remote users because it keeps all application processing on the server.

Meaning, less traffic is sent across the network. Plus, it's optimized for low-bandwidth

connections so that users can get LAN-like performance over analog or ISDN modems, WANs,

wireless LANs and even the internet.

By eliminating the need for on-site

staff, server-based computing also makes it easier for administrators. They can deploy and

manage vital applications and support remote users-all from one location.

THIN-CLIENT DEVICE COMPUTING: In

this, Windows-based applications can be extended to newer, low-cost devices.

PROBLEMS: Traditional mini and

mainframe computing deliver some of the 'centralized computing' benefits as server-based

computing. Since these types of machines were not designed for the thousands of GUI-based

Windows applications that are available today. Furthermore, users on these types of

machines are familiar with text-based interface and are typically slow to adopt new

operating systems.

Also, many of today's new

devices-like windows-based terminals, PDAs, wireless tablets, and information

appliances-are not compatible with the Windows-based, business-critical applications being

used in the enterprise unless rewrites are performed.

SOLUTION: With server-based

computing, the latest Windows-based programs can be extended to these thin devices without

application rewrites. This enables users to work in their preferred environments and still

access the Windows-based applications they need to work successfully. Plus, organizations

can reap the benefits resulting from reduced overhead, lower acquisition costs and fewer

moving parts.

Courtesy: Citrix Systems

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