Thin Clients - Terminology

Terminal Server – Typically a "Wintel" architecture application server allowing desktop users to use applications such as Microsoft Office or Lotus Notes. Both Windows NT Terminal Server Edition and Windows 2000 Server with Terminal Services initiated are examples of the OS on the server.

RDP (Remote Display Protocol) – The local protocol in the thin client or PC that allows Microsoft terminal server to communicate back and forth from the server to workstation.

ICA (Independent Computing Architecture) – The local protocol in the thin client or PC that allows the Citrix client to operate in open OS's including Windows, MAC, UNIX, etc.

Windows-Based Terminal (WBT) – A thin client running Windows CE operating system and typically connecting via 10/100Mbps Ethernet. Most come standard with RDP and ICA protocols to communicate with a Terminal Server and optional emulators for AS400, S390, and Unix hosts. A scaled down version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) comes on the Browser-Based models (BBT).

Linux-Based Terminal (LBT) – A thin client terminal running a Linux kernal as its operating system and connecting via 10/100Mbps Ethernet. Standard feature sets typically include: ICA, third party RDP, 5250 AS400 terminal and printing emulation, and a Netscape Navigator that supports JVM and a PDF reader unlike the Windows CE browser units.

Published Applications – The specific programs the network administrator has assigned to a user profile in a Terminal Server environment. The profile moves with the user login allowing for more flexible access verses fat clients (PC's).

Citrix client – A software piece from Citrix Systems that allows access to different operating environments. It delivers better performance due to higher compression in applications requiring sound, high-end graphics, and remote access.