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Thin Client Laptops: Functionality, Security, Mobility

September 26, 2008 By

For the past few weeks I’ve been using a unique device — a totally stateless laptop.

It is the Tadpole M1400 Ultra-Thin Client Wireless Sun Ray.

Here are some things this device can enable for enterprise users:

- Enhanced security.  If the laptop is lost/stolen/attacked no data is lost.  The data is never in the laptop, it remains in your enterprise.

- Enhanced functionality. All users everywhere can get upgrades to the latest software instantly. Upgrades happen in the server room, not by downloading apps to every device.  And multiple domains can be presented to one laptop.

- Enhanced flexibility.  All users everywhere can get access to presentations of operating system environments they need.  Depending on what the enterprise chooses, users can be presented with MS Windows, Mac OS, Solaris or Linux desktops.

- Enhanced mobility.  Like any other laptop, this device is designed to be mobile.  It can connect to the grid over WiFi, 3G card, or if you desire, an Ethernet cable. I’ve tested it using WiFi at home and on the road and the performance is great.

Concerning speed and 3G: I tested the Tadpole thin client using 3G (using a Qualcomm 3G CDMA card on the Verizon Broadband Access network).  When you have to use it, 3G delivers ok performance, but just like with fat client laptops or iPhones, 3G speeds can leave you wanting more (faster networks are coming quickly, see: How fast is 3G and what is 3.5G and when will 4G be here? ).

If you are a CTO/CIO/enterprise technologist you can probably already understand the power and potential of the “stateless laptop.”  Having one in my hands just brings that home to me. This is a way to deliver significantly enhanced security and enterprise-class functionality/power to mobile users.  And since it can be done in a way that reduces cost it makes this a compelling approach.

I wonder, what could the role of this new device be in the federal government’s Cyber Initiative (see Protecting Federal Networks Against Cyber Attack) ?  Or what the role might be in reducing cyber crime?   I’ll leave those for topics of future posts.

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  • http://fismapedia.org Dan Philpott

    The important thing for Federal security would be inclusion of a NIST validated FIPS 140-2 cryptographic module to protect its communications. As it appears to support this through an optional Fortress Technologies module it might be of use in Federal systems.

  • http://www.intelfusion.net Jeffrey

    Thanks for the post, Bob. I like the potential of these devices and its nice to read a review of one.

  • http://www.shepherdspi.com lewis shepherd

    Bob – way cool. Did you happen to test any (a) computationally complex apps/processes, or (b) high-end visualization apps with the laptop? Wondering about the impact if any of sync & latency, refresh rates, etc.
    You're so right on the cost & flexibility arguments. For most users in most enterprises, this is a solid and defensible alternative.

  • http://www.GarryRobbins.ca Garry Robbins

    Since there is no local operating system, all "computationally complex processes" are handled on the server side, so can be as fast or complex as your budget can afford.
    For ultra-complex graphics, the Sun Shared Visualization System can render graphics on an Nvidia Quadroplex graphics farm and deliver them to the Sun Ray at about 20 FPS, visually perceived as almost seamless.

  • http://profile.typekey.com/ctovision/ CTO Bob Gourley

    Thanks all for the comments, I appreciate it. I plan on continuing my evaluation. But so far the biggest thing that needs to improve is the speed of cell networks. And every indication is that all major providers will continue to invest heavily in increasing the speed of their services, so I think things will get better there relatively fast. In fact, I think Verizon may outpace AT&T by the middle of 2009 (and I can't wait).
    Cheers,
    Bob

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