Categories: General ITGestalt ITVMware

Thin Client vs Zero Client

I was reading a discussion on an internal mailing list today about the differences between Thin and Zero desktop clients for VDI. I thought I would summaries the discussion and share it with you as it certainly helped to get it clear in my mind.

Zero Client

A Zero client is a special purpose / built client that uses a SoC or FPGA.
It is upgraded using a firmware image. (Think of it like your WiFi router.)
They all have software and they all run an OS.
The Teradici zero client for example runs a RTOS ( Real Time OS ) called Thread-X

Thin Client

A Thin Client is a device that has a stripped down custom OS, customized Linux OS or OEMed Windows Embedded OS.
The image is typically larger than a firmware payload and in some cases a little more difficult to distribute depending on the management tools.
Some will argue they need to be managed / patched more and in some way that is true.

An example of a Thin Client would be like VDI Blaster where you have a tiny OS installed on a PC which has only one function and that's to get you to your virtual desktop.

In Summary

A Zero Client is more likely to be a purpose built hardware (SoC or FPGA), designed specifically to connect you to your virtual desktop.
A Thin Client is a more generic device which could be used and programmed to run different functions/software other than just connecting to a virtual desktop.

Simon Long

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View Comments

Mark Jones says:

June 27, 2011 at 11:12 am

Panologic may wish to argue a couple of points as they claim their device carries no software or even firmware for that matter. I always thought 'Zero' meant zero moving parts, no software or firmware and thus require zero maintenance.
Also today's "Thin" clients seem to carry as much horsepower as a lot of PC's and as you say carry the same administrative burden.
- Simon Long says:
  
  June 27, 2011 at 11:19 am
  
  I'd be interested to see what Panologic has to say regarding their clients.
  
  What happens if they find a bug in their code, how do they distribute a fix? Do they have to replace all devices?
Vladan says:

June 27, 2011 at 11:19 am

I had a chance to get a hand on a test unit las year with the panologic broker. Even did a blog post on it -:)

http://www.vladan.fr/start-build-your-vdi-infrastructure-with-fujitsus-zero-client/

Best
Vladan
- David Warburton says:
  
  June 27, 2011 at 11:21 pm
  
  Thanks for the article Simon and yours Vladan...I tried to leave a comment there but couldn't :(
  
  I hear the Panologic zero client has much better USB support - have you got any experience of this? Didn't realise it used it's own broker. Does it have to or can it use View?
  
  Any ideas if it integrates with XenDesktop?
  - Vladan says:
    
    June 29, 2011 at 5:28 am
    
    David, I was only able to test the unit during a day or so. A simple USB printer worked out of the box. (installing the driver inside the VM) . The Fujitsu's Zero client comes with the Panologic broker at no charge when you buy the unit.
    
    And of course you have the possibility to switch to VMware View and get some high end features like cloned desktops etc....
    
    The model of Zero Client DZ22-2 supports all three hypervisors, including
    VMware ESX(i), Microsoft Hyper-V and as of January 2011, Citrix Xen
    Desktop.
    
    Where I work we should get some demo units at the end of next month, so I'll be able to do some more testing.
    
    We had some clients interested in the PoE model which eliminates the Electrical cabling.
    
    Ps: It seems that the comments on the article I published were automatically closed after 120 days. Fixed...-:)
Rasmus Jensen says:

June 27, 2011 at 1:31 pm

When working with thin clients i have found eLux (http://www.myelux.com/) to be quite a strong OS. They support a wide range of hardware and have a great enterprise tool for update/config/patch.
Have used it a couple of times when using re-furbished PCs as thin clients.
Amy M. says:

June 27, 2011 at 2:11 pm

I've never had a firmware update from Panologic. They went from the G1 devices to G2.
Najweta says:

December 15, 2012 at 10:24 pm

pleas... witch best hp Thin vs Zero Client?
Alex says:

September 12, 2013 at 6:43 am

They all have OS, but zero client OS only for manage device, but Thin Client OS for software displaying remote desktop. Zero Client using PCoIP - is protocol for hardware displaying remote desktop.