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Possible benefits include:
- Security
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- Thin clients are stateless and store no data of any kind.
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- All session data is encrypted RC4/128 (possibly TLS). Software client sessions are also SSL enabled.
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- RSA SecurID 2-factor authentication is available
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- With proper architecture, client VM-to-resource traffic can be kept on an internal network, since that traffic doesn't go to the end user.
- Disaster recovery
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- Possible to use virtual server BC/DR techniques to desktop VMs, including full-VM copies, storage replication. Doesn't require imaging of full PCs to use.
- Scalability
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- Adding users and increasing client workloads are handled centrally and dynamically at the servers. Client devices do not change.
- Reliability
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- No moving parts at client.
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- Server hardware is inherently more reliable and is run in a controlled environment
- Availability
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- Overall environment should be designed to minimize single points of failure
- Compatibility
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- Standard desktop OS means no software incompatibilities
- Upgradability
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- Server upgrades can be done with no downtime. Client VM upgrades can be done in parallel to working client VMs. Endpoint devices are stateless so are easy to upgrade.
- Performance
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- CPU/memory/disk/network performance should be equal better due to improved hardware and consolidation efficiencies.
- Remote accessibility
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- User sessions/data not tied to any endpoint device. Can be accessed from any compatible web client, or any client device within the environment without loss of (active) session data
- Manageability
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- All OS/app/data operations being performed centrally will decrease management efforts in all areas, including patching, utilization, troubleshooting, etc.
- Limiting changes to user experience
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- Standard desktop OS means familiar user experience. Ability to import existing environment directly.
- User session continuity
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- Sessions are endpoint-device independent, so they follow the user
- Energy savings
- 65w net savings per user
- 110BTU/hr heat dissipation decrease
- (long-term) Capital cost reduction
- Disposal
- e-waste: 15lb per unit
- packaging: 3lb per unit