Peter,
As I said, we chose NCD x-terminals for reliability and ease of use. All
the arguments for thin-client computing (as I understand them) apply to
x-terminal use also.
1) No moving parts (no fan, no floppy, no HD).
2 Physically small package.
3) Less OS overhead (on the client) which means no high speed CPU giving off
lots of heat.
4) Rated MTBF of 350000 hours (although we haven't had any running 40 years
to verify this).
5) Very easy software install and setup -- 10 minutes for the first, several
minutes each for successive on same host.
6) Operator ease of use -- ours boot straight to the appropriate display
manager screen from power off.
As with any 3rd party software, there is additional overhead when doing
Foxboro updates or day 0 installs. These are simplified by keeping details
on all custom files and applications in a single document. I don't see
having x-terminals as any more of a pain than packages such as AIM* or C on
the system.
We primarily use these x-terminals as operator stations on the plant floor
or in the field, so ability to mount them in a dirty environment in a small
weather resistant box with no provision for air exchange is a big advantage.
Regards,
John
>From: "Bruley, Peter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Reply-To: "Foxboro DCS Mail List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], John Katz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: RE: X-Terminals
>Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2001 12:02:51 -0500
>
>John:
>
> You state: "We saw these as superior to using a PC with an emulator
>for reliability reasons"
> What are your reasons for thinking that X-Terminals are superior?
>
> It has been my experience; being a Foxboro Field Service Engineer
>and speaking on my own behalf (this is not Foxboro's official response); I
>think that X-terminals are a pain in the butt. They always add over head to
>software upgrade jobs. I don't see the difference between an X-Terminal and
>a PC with emulator software.
>
> I would prefer if my customers just bought a PC (cost the same as a
>Xterminal)and put Windows/ExCeed on it. This lets you use the PC for other
>Windows apps (though that may not be desirable) Alternatively you could
>load
>the PC (or even buy an old Sparc5, Your spare parts WP/AW or other SUN
>WorkStation) up with Solaris Operating System which has X-Windows part of
>the OS. Note/ that Solaris is available for both Sparc and Intel
>processors.
>
>All the software using off-platform method would not need to be upgraded on
>software updates (ie/ dayZero) because the remote stations boot up with
>their own hard drive. Less time to install and trouble-shoot your AW/WP.
>Less of a burden on your AW/WP as they don't have to boot-host Xterminals.
>The only way I would suggest Xterminal is if you were placing the box in an
>environment that had high vibration or very dirty location. (ie/ any type
>of
>environment that could shorten the life of a hard drive)
>
>
>Peter
>
>
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