There is actually no standard definition for zero clients. However, the functional advantages touted by their respective manufacturers can be summarized as follows:

1.    Plug and Play:

A zero client must be able to be deployed “right out of the box” without any assistance from the system administrator. A new device must also exhibit the same operational characteristics as all other units of the same model without first having to be individually configured before delivery and installation.

The IGEL solution:

All IGEL thin clients are ready for use as delivered. After being connected, they are immediately detected by the network. All IGEL devices are clearly displayed in a tree structure within the IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS). All location-specific settings can be automatically assigned to new devices by means of predefined profiles without any management intervention.

2.    No configuration required:

Once it has been switched on, a zero client must be able to establish a network connection, detect virtual desktop environments or terminal servers and log on to them without having to be manually configured to do so.

The IGEL solution:

The IGEL UMS management solution can be set up so that all newly connected thin clients automatically log on to the management server. Based on the profiles stored there, the devices then automatically get all settings required to establish a connection to a terminal server or VDI environment.

3.   Infrequent and centralized updates:

If updates are ever needed, they should be infrequent and be able to be centrally distributed without requiring IT personnel to directly access the zero clients.

The IGEL solution:

IGEL releases updated versions of its three universal firmware packages on a regular basis. These updates are not mandatory, but they do allow the use of new technologies such as VDI access by means of Microsoft RemoteFX. Firmware updates can be scheduled to take place automatically and securely (failsafe and encrypted methods) as well as to conserve bandwidth (through partial or “buddy” updates¹) .

4.    Local peripheral devices:

The use of locally connected peripheral devices should not require installation of associated device drivers.

The IGEL solution:

Like zero clients, IGEL Universal Desktops support all popular methods for redirection of peripherals, such as USB devices. This means that it is unnecessary to install drivers on the client side. In addition to supporting peripheral devices through VDI solutions, IGEL firmware also includes the local drivers needed for communicating with sector-specific solutions such as the special keyboards used in healthcare and financial environments.

Next Chapter: IGEL Universal Desktops: Zero Clients from IGEL?!