RM Client Connect

RM Client Connect provides an upgrade to the RM Management Console to allow both the integration of Microsoft®'s latest operating system, Windows Vista™ and thin client devices on to your Community Connect 3™ network.

Microsoft Windows Vista and Community Connect 3
As with any changes of operating systems it is worthwhile planning the adoption very carefully, and Windows Vista™ is no different.  RM Client Connect will allow you to introduce this change on a scale that suits your development plans. And as you can manage the central distribution of applications, manage users and apply security settings from the RM Management Console, for both Windows XP and Windows Vista™ PCs, this new addition doesn't need to increase the amount of time needed to manage the network.

• Complementary home to school experience: More and more students will have Microsoft® Windows® Vista™ in their homes. By complementing these with Microsoft® Windows® Vista™ computers in your school you can ensure that students have similar experiences and are able to develop their skills cumulatively.
• Ensure a smooth progression: Adding a relatively small number of Microsoft® Windows® Vista™ stations gives ICT and teaching staff the opportunity to receive training and gain experience in their own time.  You can also test applications on the new platform before it is used more widely.
• Create a flexible network: RM Client Connect offers you the ability to do what is best to meet your particular needs, you can continue to add new workstations with Microsoft® Windows® XP™ Pro or Microsoft® Windows® Vista™ and manage these via the RM Management Console

RM Client Connect facilitates a hybrid environment where you can have the best of both worlds by combining the benefits of thin clients and normal or "thick" PCs on one easily managed network.

Through attaching an additional Member Terminal Server to your Community Connect 3 network and utilising Microsoft Terminal Services, you will be able to attach thin client stations to that server.

This means you have the most appropriate stations for each role ensuring your provision is flexible, cost effective and tailored to your needs. For example,

• Reuse legacy equipment in the library as thin clients to access the Internet, making the best use of past investments and increasing provision.
• Put thick client PCs in a language lab or media studies area to deliver the high end applications that these subjects require.
• Use Apple® Macs® in the art room for graphic design with a thin client (remote desktop) connection to your Community Connect 3 network so users can still access all their resources on the network.
• Teachers can use thick client notebooks both on and off the network and make effective use of PPA time regardless of location.
• Students can bring their own mobile devices into school and connect to network resources using a thin (remote desktop) connection.
• Install a suite of thick client PCs to ensure a broad range of applications and peripherals can be provided for users.
• Reduce hardware and energy costs through a suite of specialist thin client devices that provide access to applications such as Microsoft® Office® and the Internet.*

Students can bring their own mobile devices such as the RM Asus miniBook into school and connect to network resources using a thin (remote desktop) connection.  Please note that the minibook requires an Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) session to be set up and therefore may require additional steps then to other devices.  Please see www.rm.com/minibook/support for more information.  The RM Asus miniBook can also enable access to your Learning Platform for every learner at an affordable price.

Applications
Thin clients are suited to low demand applications such as web browsing and Microsoft Word.  It is not recommended to use high demand applications such as multimedia and digital video editing as this may deteriorate performance of the software or the network.  It is important to manage the applications on the server carefully in order to maintain maximum performance. 

Please ensure that your thin client devices are appropriately licensed to use the software applications on your Terminal Server.  In addition, please check with your software vendor to confirm that the software can be installed on a Terminal Server and used within a thin client environment.  (For example, please note Microsoft Office 2000 and RM Tutor can not be installed on a Terminal Server.)

Reliance on the Terminal Server  
It is important to be aware of the high reliance on the server to maintain uptime of your thin clients.  If your Terminal Server is not functioning at any one time then none of the thin clients attached to the server will be useable.

In order to lower classroom disruption it is not recommended that whole classroom suites are replaced with thin clients.  We recommend approximately 30 clients per terminal server.  However, this can change depending on; the server specification, the types of applications used and the number of concurrent users.

Thin client devices 
Differences between the capability of a standard full desktop and a thin client device should be carefully considered.  For example, the majority of thin clients will not have audio capability or the ability to use removable storage devices such as a USB drive.

If you're planning to connect peripherals to your thin clients (for example; USB drives, projectors or interactive whiteboards), we advise you to check the capabilities of the devices to ensure they support this functionality.  Please contact the manufacturer of the thin clients for advice on compatibility and support. 

If you intend to re-use existing stations as thin clients, the Linux operating system they download from the Terminal Server will only provide limited peripheral connectivity.  We are therefore unable to guarantee peripheral compatibility with thin clients.

As part of your RM Terminal Server support contract, we'll attempt to attach legacy stations under a reasonable endeavours effort however we can't guarantee that all legacy kit is compatible as a thin client device. We recommend that thin clients are connected to the terminal server via a wired connection to maintain a suitable level of performance.   

Printing
We recommend you implement networked printing within a thin client environment as it's easier to set up and manage than local printing.  If you wish to implement local printing, please check with the thin client manufacturer for advice on compatibility and support. 

Further information on Vista and thin client

Becta
In 2006 Becta conducted a study into 12 schools using thin client technology and the associated advantages and issues with its implementation in education. All of the schools studied retained some thick clients and in their conclusions Becta ask schools to consider a hybrid environment to enable schools to benefit from the use of thin client technology without the associated issues around multimedia and peripherals.

Becta Research » Read the Becta research and recommendations on Thin Client technology in schools  or Microsoft Vista Interim Report

Thin Client Devices » See the range of devices available from RM.