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Product Review: BOSaNOVA LTC Series of Thin Clients

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The BOSaNOVA LTC series of thin-client terminals provides an easily configurable solution to desktop computing. Whether the application is data entry, point of sale, training, ISPs, or Web kiosks, these thin clients provide a highly cost-effective access to Windows desktop applications residing on a Microsoft Windows NT/2000 terminal server.

Central configuration and user management drastically reduces cost of ownership, while the versatility of the hardware platform and customization capabilities increase user productivity.

Advantages

  • Windows 2000/XP look and feel with Linux OS and VIA 533 Mhz (LTC-600) or 300 Mhz Geo (LTC-300) processors for best performance and connection flexibility on the market
  • Embedded TN5250e- and TN3270e-based terminal emulation software for connection to IBM iSeries (AS/400) and zSeries (S/390) systems, employing the best fonts in the industry
  • Connections to Windows terminal servers and Citrix servers using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or Independent Computing Architecture (ICA) client software
  • Support for 802.11b (11 Mbps) and 802.11g (54 Mbps) wireless communication*, and USB-attached barcode equipment, PCMCIA slot*, parallel printer port, two serial ports, and two USB ports
  • Keyboard support for full-featured, 122-key keyboard*, enabling efficient work with host applications, as well as mouse port for connection versatility
  • Embedded Netscape browser with JVM or Mozilla without JVM, and Macromedia Flash (Opera* browser also supported)
  • 64 MB of Disk on Module (DOM)--32 MB on the LTC-300--allowing localized customization of desktop and applications
  • Smart card reader* for personalization of terminal sign-on, desktop, applications, and permissions
  • Centralized configuration, management, and security via the Remote Terminal Administrator utility for low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

*Optional

http://www.mcpressonline.com/articles/images/2002/ThinClientProductReviewV600.jpg

The high end LTC-600 provides almost twice the processing power and up to seven times the performance when compared to industry-standard Windows CE-based thin clients!

Versatile Hardware Platform with High-Speed Processing

A versatile combination of features provides the flexibility to support virtually any application with the BOSaNOVA LTC Series. The entry-level model BOSaNOVA LTC-300 sports an industry-standard 300 MHz CPU, while the BOSaNOVA LTC-600 practically doubles that speed to provide top performance, even when browsing the Web. This is especially important in a thin-client environment where, unlike Windows environments, Web pages are not cached and need to be reloaded each time over the LAN.

http://www.mcpressonline.com/articles/images/2002/ThinClientProductReviewV601.jpg

The BOSaNOVA LTC-600 equipped with PCMCIA slot looks like this from the back.

The BOSaNOVA LTC-300 has 64 MB of RAM, while the BOSaNOVA LTC-600 has 128 MB of RAM and 32 MB of DOM. The BOSaNOVA LTC-300 is equipped with support for SVGA display (1024x768 16-bit color), while the BOSaNOVA LTC-600 supports up to 1280x1024 24-bit color. Both models have one parallel printer port, two serial ports, two USB ports, a keyboard port, a mouse port, a 10/100 base-T Ethernet interface, and an audio out line. Options include a full-featured, 122-key keyboard designed for use with midrange applications, a smart card reader for personalization of terminal applications and permissions, a PCMCIA slot, support for 802.11b and 802.11g wireless communication, and Adobe Acrobat Reader support for flawless display of PDF files.

Centralized Management

As with any Windows server product, the system administrator manages the accounts the thin- client terminals use. A major benefit is that since all applications are run from the server, there is no local installation or maintenance of software applications at the client workstation. Furthermore, since all user data and files are resident on the server, central backup is possible, thereby freeing the user of this task.

Enterprise Class Remote Administration

The BOSaNOVA LTC Series of thin-client terminals is simple to configure either locally or remotely using the Remote Terminal Administrator (RTA), which enables the following tasks:

  • Complete terminal configuration from a central location, including terminal emulation settings
  • User lock-out from configuration changes, keeping the cost of ownership down
  • Scheduling of firmware updates
  • Shadowing of the user's desktop
  • Cloning of user environments
  • Control over exactly which applications can be run on a particular terminal

http://www.mcpressonline.com/articles/images/2002/ThinClientProductReviewV602.png

While based on the high-performance Linux OS, the BOSaNOVA LTC Series provides the comfort of a Windows 2000/XP user interface.

Windows and Citrix Connectivity

All of the BOSaNOVA terminals provide connections to Windows terminal servers and Citrix servers using the RDP or ICA client software. RDP connects to Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server Edition (TSE) or Windows 2000 server, while ICA connects to TSE or Windows 2000 servers with Citrix Metaframe extensions, including Metaframe XP.

Terminal Emulation

The BOSaNOVA LTC Series includes embedded TN5250e- and TN3270e- based terminal emulation software for up to five sessions in connection to IBM iSeries (AS/400) and zSeries (S/390) systems, employing the best fonts in the industry. It also supports a full-featured, 122-key keyboard, enabling efficient work with host applications.

http://www.mcpressonline.com/articles/images/2002/ThinClientProductReviewV603.png

Embedded emulation software provides support for up to five sessions.

Driverless 5250/PC 122-Key Keyboards

Let your Citrix- or terminal server-connected PC or thin-client users regain the benefits of terminal-style productivity with BOSaNOVA's driverless 122-key keyboard. This unique keyboard works flawlessly with both embedded and Citrix applications, since it also emulates 101-key keyboards.

Unlike standard 122-key keyboards, which typically function only as a regular PC keyboard in Citrix environments and lack support for the upper functions, the BOSaNOVA keyboard works perfectly with both embedded emulations and Citrix applications.

The BOSaNOVA keyboard is driverless, so it integrates smoothly into any operating system environment.

BOSaNOVA has also designed simple keyboard map files that can be imported to industry-standard TN5250e emulations, such as IBM Client Access and BOSaNOVA TCP/IP.

http://www.mcpressonline.com/articles/images/2002/ThinClientProductReviewV604.jpg

Driverless 5250/PC 122-key keyboards support all operating systems and 5250 emulation software.

Benefits of the Linux Platform

While the desktop has a Windows 2000/XP look and feel, both the BOSaNOVA LTC-300 and the BOSaNOVA LTC-600 models are based on Linux. This versatile and user-friendly operating system provides additional capabilities not available with Windows-based terminals running Windows CE, including the following:

  • Scaleable windows
  • Java Virtual Machine (JVM)
  • Embedded Netscape browser with JVM that can be used as a Domino/Notes client
  • "X Windows" connectivity to other Linux and UNIX servers
  • Seamless access to applications running on UNIX-based servers

In addition, the XPDF reader plug-in provides PDF Reader functionality, and 32/64 MB DOM allows localized customization of the client desktop and applications. The BOSaNOVA LTC-600 also supports the industry-standard Adobe Acrobat Reader for flawless presentation of PDF files.

Technical Specifications

Model
BOSaNOVA LTC-300
BOSaNOVA LTC-600
Processor


CPU
NS Geode 300 Mhz with 16 KB unified cache
VIA Eden 533 Mhz
Memory


RAM
One SDRAM 168-Pin DIMM 64MB
One SDRAM 144-Pin DIMM 128MB
ROM
One Disk on Module 32 MB
One Disk on Module 64 MB
Standard Interface


VGA
Up to 1024x768, 16-bit high color, VESA monitor support with DDC
Up to 1280x1024, 24-bit true color, VESA monitor support with DDC
LAN
RJ45, 10/100BaseT
RJ45, 10/100BaseT
Keyboard and Mouse
PS2 Type
PS2 Type
Serial
RS232, 9-Pin DSUB COM1, COM2
RS232, 9-Pin DSUB COM1, COM2
Parallel
25-Pin DSUB
25-Pin DSUB
USB Port
2 USB ports
2 USB ports
Audio Line Out
1/8" mini, full 16-bit stereo, 44 KHz sample rate
1/8" mini, full 16-bit stereo, 44 KHz sample rate
Optional Devices
None
Smart card reader; PCMCIA slot
Power System


Connector
2-Pin jack 5V DC
2-Pin jack 5V DC
AC/DC Adapter
Input AC 100/240 Volt, 50-60Hz. Output 5VDC, 4A
Input AC 100/240 Volt, 50-60Hz. Output 5VDC, 4A
Physical and Mechanical


Dimensions
9.14"(H) x 1.66"(W) x 9.46"(D)
8.67"(H) x 1.77"(W) x 6.11"(D)
Client Side Software


Operating System
Linux Kernel Version 2.4.7-10
Linux Kernel Version 2.4.7-10
Terminal Emulation
TN5250e and TN3270e emulator, with GUI and hot spots
TN5250e and TN3270e emulator, with GUI and hot spots
Embedded Applications
Netscape 4.78 with JVM, RealPlayer, XPDF Reader, Opera, Mozilla
Netscape 4.78 with JVM, RealPlayer, XPDF Reader, Opera, Mozilla, Adobe Acrobat Reader
Connectivity
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), Citrix Independent Computing Architecture (ICA)
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), Citrix Independent Computing Architecture (ICA)
Local Configuration
Terminal/Session Configuration
Terminal/Session Configuration
Server Side Software


Operating System Support
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server Edition, Citrix MetaFrame, Citrix Winframe
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server Edition, Citrix MetaFrame, Citrix Winframe
Management Tool
Remote Administrator, Wake on LAN
Remote Administrator, Wake on LAN

Martin Pladgeman is president of BOSaNOVA Inc., Master Distributor for BOScom products in North America.

http://www.mcpressonline.com/articles/images/2002/ThinClientProductReviewV605.jpg
BOSaNOVA, Inc.
2021 W. Rose Garden Lane
Phoenix, AZ 85027
Tel: 866-865-5250 (toll free)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.bosweb.com

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