HP T5125 - Compaq Thin Client Manual

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Thin Client Server Computing: Benefit Analysis
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Table of
Contents
Table of Contents ...................................................................................................... 1
Abstract.................................................................................................................... 2
Executive Summary................................................................................................... 2
Thin Clients Save Money ....................................................................................................2
Thin Client Server Computing versus Unmanaged Desktops.................................................2
The Thin Client Advantage......................................................................................... 3
Best Practices............................................................................................................ 3
Change Management.......................................................................................................4
Operational Management................................................................................................5
Asset Administration........................................................................................................ 7
Customer Service .............................................................................................................9
Training..........................................................................................................................10
Technology Planning and Process Management................................................................11
Best Practices Summary ...................................................................................................11
Who Can Use A TCSC Solution ................................................................................ 12
Who Should Not Use A TCSC Solution...................................................................... 13
HP Advantage ........................................................................................................ 14
HP and TCSC Best Practices................................................................................14
Increased Security .............................................................................................14
Increased Performance.......................................................................................14
Management Software.......................................................................................14
Wireless Connectivity & Options .........................................................................15
Superior Software Image ....................................................................................15
BIOS on DISCRETE ROM....................................................................................15
PCI Expansion Module .......................................................................................15
Best Value .............................................................................................................. 16
Why HP?................................................................................................................ 16
Conclusion.............................................................................................................. 16
Additional Information............................................................................................ 16
June 2004
HP Compaq t5000
Thin Clients
Competitive
Analysis

HP Compaq Thin Clients t5000 Series: Benefit Analysis Paper
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Abstract This paper examines the benefits associated with implementing a thin client sever
computing (TCSC) solution.
Executive
Summary
Today’s information technology administrators must get as much value for their dollar as
possible. They require rapid deployment, easier management of PCs, and uniformity of
products. IT professionals demand easy access to technology, as well as more services
and solutions that free up their resources. Quality, reliability, compatibility, and value
are especially important attributes in the commercial marketplace. From these general
requirements, customer needs become more refined and highly differentiated as they
branch out to specific areas of usage.
Thin Clients Save
Money
The unique advantages of the TCSC model over traditional desktop computing clearly
represent a significant opportunity to reduce the annual hard and soft costs for
managing a network. Highly consistent and stable, thin clients connect to a server where
all processing and storage occurs. Thin clients are positioned according to customer
requirements and benefits, rather than by specific product features. These features
significantly differentiate the TCSC model from traditional desktop computing solutions.
Thin Client Server
Computing versus
Unmanaged
Desktops
The typical computing solution for most enterprises is an unmanaged network.
Unmanaged PC computing has its advantages: user autonomy, the ability to work
independent of a network, and the ability to utilize graphics-intensive applications.
However, unmanaged computing has significant drawbacks that lead to higher costs:
lower security, increased downtime, and increased soft costs. Users are able to add,
delete, and modify programs and data. Diskette drives allow for users to remove
confidential data and load (intentionally or otherwise) harmful viruses.
Companies that are able to utilize a thin client server computing solution are able to
reap substantial savings and benefits versus companies that use traditional PC-based
computing solutions. Consider some of the traditional pitfalls that commonly occur in an
unmanaged computing network:
 Hard drive crashes resulting in data loss and user downtime
 Costly service calls to repair hardware and solve software problems
 Multiple images on different PCs leading to a different set of problems for each
machine
 Theft of equipment
 Theft of data
 Applications are not standardized
 Version control is difficult to maintain
 Increased time spent deploying software and upgrades
 Difficulty establishing uniform standards in complex business environments, such as
post-merger companies
Companies may be forced to spend thousands of dollars every year on technical
support, hardware replacements, and service calls. Industry standard estimates for such
costs are as high as $8000 per PC per year.1The costs associated with maintaining a
thin client network are significantly lower than that of a PC network due to the inherent
strengths of the TCSC model.
1Distributed Computing Benchmarks Analysis, Gartner Group 2001

HP Compaq Thin Clients t5000 Series: Benefit Analysis Paper
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The Thin Client
Advantage
The TCSC model provides global integration that can significantly lower the cost of
ownership to customers looking for mission-critical, centralized server-based computing
with maximum security, standardized desktop deployment, and 100% remote client
management tools. Here is a list of the major benefits offered by thin clients:
 Rapid device/application deployment
 Application upgrades are deployed to a single server instead of hundreds or
thousands of individual PCs.
 Because individual thin clients can be configured from a central location, it takes
minutes instead of hours to deploy a new client.
 Simplified IT management
 Applications are typically deployed on the server and merely accessed by the
thin client, which can dramatically reduce the amount of time the administrator
must spend on client management.
 Data is automatically backed up for users.
 Users cannot access or corrupt system files.
 Network administrators can manage clients remotely.
 Due to the relatively small client images used on thin clients, complete remote re-
imaging becomes a viable solution to a local client problem. This solution may
reduce the amount of time an administrator spends diagnosing problems.
 Increased reliability and security
 Fewer maintenance events and less down time due to no moving parts to fail.
 Fewer conflicts and configuration issues and reduced threat of viruses or data
theft as a result of no removable media.
 Because data is stored on network storage, the potential of data loss due to a
hard drive crash is reduced.
Best Practices A best practice is a group of tasks that optimizes the efficiency or effectiveness of the
business discipline or process to which it contributes. In “Best Practice Descriptions: 6
Major Process Categories TCO Distributed Computing Assessment” the Gartner Group
classifies these best practices into six major process categories: Change Management,
Operational Management, Asset Administration, Technology Planning and Process,
Customer Service, and Training. The functionality and structure of thin client devices
force them to conform to all software and hardware related Process Categories. This
minimizes the number of decisions network administrators must make, allowing them to
focus on procedural and non-technological Best Practice processes. The following
sections illustrate how thin clients adhere to these best practices:

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Change
Management
Change management is defined as technical support for installs, moves, adds, changes
and removals of networks, systems, and system components. These activities are planned
and scheduled, and are done on a proactive basis
Best Practice Process Category TCSC Solution Summary
Deployment (installs/adds/changes)
Deployment includes installing new or
upgraded hardware and software, and
introducing these devices and applications
into service.
Enterprises that implement best practices in
this area:
 Use technology to minimize labor
 Communicate the impact of change to
end-users and business management
 Consolidate repetitive functions
 Minimize the impact of deployment on
the end-user
The TCSC model allows a
network administrator to
deploy images and
software locally to a
server, which can be
accessed by multiple thin
client devices. The TCSC
solution can reduce the
time spent delivering
upgrades and user
downtime since
applications don’t have to
be deployed on
individual clients.
TCSC solution
helps meet best
practice
standards.
See section “HP
and TCSC Best
Practices” later
in this paper to
learn how HP
further meets
this
requirement.
Retirement and Moves
Retirement involves the decommissioning and
disposal of outdated, redundant or non-
standard hardware and software. Moves
involve the physical relocation of equipment
from one location to another. Moves may
also involve the transfer of individuals or
assets from one organization to another.
Enterprises that implement best practices in
this area:
 Integrate these functions with an asset
management process
 Ensure minimal disruption to end users
 Have and follow formal procedures
The operational lifespan
for a thin client is longer
because a thin client is a
solid-state device.
Since all data and
applications reside on the
network, moves can be
accomplished quickly and
easily.
There is no PC staging or
hard drive management
for, which means that
new clients can be up
and running in minutes.
TCSC solution
helps exceed
best practice
standards.
Change Management Technology &
Process
Tools that automate and minimize the labor
involved in making changes to hardware and
software.
Enterprises who implement best practices in
this area:
 Minimize IS and end-user labor
 Ensure quality and reliability of the
change management process
Because software can be
deployed to servers and
accessed remotely on thin
clients, there is little to no
disruption to the end user.
The administrator is able
to configure user and
network settings remotely.
TCSC solution
helps exceed
best practice
standards.
See section “HP
and TCSC Best
Practices” later
in this paper to
learn how HP
further exceeds
this
requirement.

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Operational
Management
Operational management is defined as technical support for the recurring, day-to-day
activities that are required to keep networks, applications, systems and system
components functional and operational.
Best Practice Process Category TCSC Solution Summary
Virus Protection
Tools, processes, and procedures that prevent
virus attacks and/or ensure recovery after
virus attacks.
Enterprises who implement best practices in
this area:
 Eliminate manual intervention in the virus
detection process
 Protect both the desktop and server from
viruses
 Have good follow-up activities once a
virus is found
Because there’s no data
on the thin client, there’s
no risk of a virus attack
on mission critical data
on the client.
Additionally,
administrators can ensure
the server is firewalled
and virus protected.
Virus protection will vary
from one operating
system to the next. Please
check with the software
manufacturer for more
information.
TCSC solution
helps meet best
practice
standards.
Data Management
Involves back-up, restore, and repository
services for client and server data.
Enterprises who implement best practices in
this area:
 Centralize data management
 Use automated tools
 Minimize labor for the user
 Integrate the backup, restore and storage
management processes
In server-based computing
with thin clients, critical
information is stored on
network storage,
automating data backup
with no end user labor.
TCSC solution
helps exceed
best practice
standards.
Performance Monitoring and Event
Management
Processes and activities that allow IS
personnel to either prevent problems or to
detect them at an early stage.
Enterprises who implement best practices in
this area:
 Deploy problem detection technology
 Integrate problem detection tools with
other systems management schemes
 Use redundant systems
Thin client management
software allows network
administrators to remotely
browse, diagnose, and
repair problems without
leaving their desks.
Since all software resides
on the server and a
common image is
deployed to all thin
clients, troubleshooting is
greatly simplified.
Thin clients are inherently
redundant. Each thin
client device on a TCSC
network provides an
identical user experience.
Load balanced servers
can increase uptime and
reliability.
TCSC solution
helps exceed
best practice
standards

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Security
Policies and procedures that ensure the
protection of data and assets
Enterprises who implement best practices in
this area:
 Use tools and procedures that ensure
proper access to data
 Use tools and procedures that prevent
asset removal or tampering
Because all data resides
on the server, end users
typically cannot remove
data or destroy it
unintentionally.
TCSC solution
helps exceed
best practice
standards.
Standards Compliance
Methods used by IS organizations to ensure
that all clients conform to the standard
configuration.
Enterprises who implement best practices in
this area:
 Manage diversity in client configurations,
while providing flexibility for users.
Thin clients allow
administrators to choose
what images and
software can be deployed
to the server and
accessed by the thin
clients. This ensures that
clients all conform to
standards set out by a
company or organization.
TCSC solution
helps exceed
best practice
standards.
Repair and Maintenance
The day-to-day maintenance of equipment
and the restoration of equipment to a
functioning state.
Enterprises who implement best practices in
this area:
 Exploit warranty repairs
 Reduce user downtime from equipment
failure
Because thin clients have
no moving parts, they are
more reliable mechanically
than PCs. As a result, they
rarely break down or
require a service call. If a
client becomes inoperable
for some reason, it can be
quickly and easily
replaced. Since data,
applications and user
settings residing on the
network, a user can be up
and running in minutes
with no loss of data and
no need to reconfigure
their system settings.
TCSC solution
helps exceed
best practice
standards.
See section
“HP and TCSC
Best Practices”
later in this
paper to learn
how HP further
exceeds this
requirement.

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Asset
Administration
Asset administration is defined as administrative support for acquiring and tracking
systems and system components, and for managing relationships with external service
providers.
Best Practice Process Category TCSC Solution Summary
Hardware Inventory Management
The creation and maintenance of an up-to-
date record of hardware installs, moves,
adds, changes, removals and final disposal.
The record contains information for locating,
assessing, auditing, troubleshooting,
counting, and assigning equipment, or
performing other technical and business
functions, without the need to repeatedly visit
the hardware location or reassemble data
records.
Enterprises who implement best practices in
this area:
 Have an up-to-date hardware inventory
 Integrate hardware inventory data into
other IT and corporate systems
Unlike a PC, a thin client
device is not designed to
be reconfigured by an
end user. As a result,
hardware configurations
should all be uniform and
therefore, easy to track.
TCSC solution
helps meet best
practice
standards.
Software Inventory Management
The creation and maintenance of an up-to-
date record of software installations,
upgrades, removals and final disposal, as
well as the terms, conditions and status of
software license agreements. The record
contains information for locating, assessing,
auditing, troubleshooting, and counting, or
performing other technical and business
functions, without the need to repeatedly visit
the software location or reassemble data
records.
Enterprises who implement best practices in
this area:
 Have an up-to-date software inventory
 Integrate software inventory data into
other IT and corporate systems
 Use software inventory records to make
purchasing/upgrade decisions
Network administrators
can track software
inventory including:
 System information:
name, contact,
location, OS type
 MAC/IP/DNS/WINS
addresses, Domain
name, network speed
 Applications,
including name,
version, vendor
TCSC solution
helps exceed
best practice
standards.

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Lifecycle Management
The determination of an asset’s useful life,
including planning for the installation,
upgrade, and removal/disposal of the asset,
and executing on the plan. An asset may be
a piece of hardware (to the level of
granularity that the hardware inventory is
maintained) or software (to the degree that
discrete license inventory is maintained).
Enterprises who implement best practices in
this area:
 Minimize variability in configurations by
putting policies and procedures in place
to retire older assets
Although this is a policy
issue, it is important to
note that thin client
devices have no moving
parts and therefore have
a longer useful lifespan
than PCs. Thus,
retirements are likely to
be less frequent.
With thin clients, all
configurations in the box
should be the same so it’s
easy to minimize
variability in
configurations. Because
these configurations are
standardized, upgrades
and retirements become
more uniform.
TCSC solution
helps exceed
best practice
standards.
Procurement
The buying of hardware, software and
services.
Enterprises who implement best practices in
this area:
 Determine requirements
 Automate repetitive tasks
 Prevent unauthorized purchases
 Leverage the purchasing process
Procedural decision to be
followed by IT
department.
Not applicable
for standard
TCSC
solutions.
See section
“HP and TCSC
Best Practices”
later in this
paper to learn
how HP meets
this
requirement.
Vendor Management
The practice of selecting and contracting with
hardware, software and service providers,
and establishing and managing vendor
relationships, including defining the criteria
for vendor selection and determining the
service levels required. Vendor management
typically involves negotiating and defining
terms and conditions, service levels, points of
contact, rules of engagement, problem
resolution, escalation procedures, and
discount structures.
Enterprises who implement best practices in
this area:
 Consider their vendors’ strategic partners
 Maximize their use of service level
agreements (SLA)
Procedural decision to be
followed by IT
department.
Not applicable
for standard
TCSC
solutions.
See section
“HP and TCSC
Best Practices”
later in this
paper to learn
how HP meets
this
requirement.

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Customer Service Customer service is defined as customer-facing activities that help manage customer
relationships and provide assistance with service issues. Dispatched technical support
for troubleshooting and other problem resolution activities is not included in this
category.
For the customer service process, the scope is reflected as the percentage of the user
population that is covered by each response. Within customer service, the percentage
of the user population covered by service desk-related practices is generally associated
with the number of service desks in the organization. For example, if you have a single
service desk, the scope of the user population covered by each response is typically
either 0% or 100%.
Best Practice Process Category TCSC Solution Summary
Service Desk Technology & Process
The technologies deployed by your IT service
desk(s) to increase efficiency and improve
service levels.
The processes used by your IT service desk(s)
to increase efficiency and improve service
levels.
Enterprises who implement best practices in
this area:
 Minimize IS and end-user labor
 Ensure quality and reliability of the
problem management process
By nature, the TCSC
model highly streamlines
your service desk:
 Because
administrators can
deploy controlled
images on servers,
service desk staff will
be more familiar with
the typical user’s
issues than they would
in an unmanaged
desktop environment.
This should decrease
troubleshooting,
reduce costs, and
increase customer
satisfaction.
 Image is administrator
controlled and
accessible from any
terminal.
TCSC solution
helps exceed
best practice
standards.
Marketing and Relationship
Management
Processes, techniques, and methods used to
improve the relationship between the IS
organization and the business areas, provide
an IT-face to the user community, and
increase customer satisfaction with IT services
and systems.
Enterprises who implement best practices in
this area:
 Increase customer satisfaction
 Improve alignment of business and
technology goals and objectives
Since thin clients are
highly reliable and easy
to replace in the event of
a problem, end user
satisfaction should be
higher than those working
in an unmanaged desktop
environment.
TCSC solution
helps meet best
practice
standards.

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Training Training is defined as the formal learning required to equip both end-users and IS
personnel with the technical skills they need to perform their jobs.
Best Practice Process Category TCSC Solution Summary
End User Training
End user training improves users’ ability to
understand and utilize IT resources, including
systems, processes and applications.
Enterprises with best practices in this area:
 Track and understand user skills
 Institutionalize end-user training to ensure
that it always happens
 Offer a variety of training mechanisms
End users will require little
specialized training to
operate thin clients. The
user experience is similar
to a traditional PC for
typical applications.
Since there is a high
degree of control of the
deployed server image, it
is easy to determine and
develop consistent
training material.
A controlled server image
means that it is easier to
set requirements for
training and therefore,
easier to develop training
material for end users.
TCSC solution
helps exceed
best practice
standards.
IS Training
IS training improves the skills and knowledge
of IS personnel, enabling more effective
support of the IT infrastructure and end user
community.
Enterprises with best practices in this area:
 Track and understand IS staff skills
 Institutionalize IS staff training to ensure
that it always happens
 Link training to professional development
 Provide opportunities for skills certification
The controlled image
helps simplify the training
process.
TCSC solution
helps meet best
practice
standards.
See section “HP
and TCSC Best
Practices” later
in this paper to
learn how HP
further meets
this
requirement.