A workplace for a fixed price, thin client as a service

Transcription

1 A workplace for a fixed price, thin client as a service To complement the cloud models SaaS and DaaS, many IT service providers offer complete workplaces, including thin client operation, a monthly fee. For the customer, Client as a Service (ClaaS) means greater cost transparency and little or no internal IT outlay. Contents: What is Client as a Service (ClaaS)? What are the advantages for users? What is important to know? What (thin) clients are suitable for ClaaS? What should remote management be capable of?

2 Cloud computing has truly arrived within businesses. The benefits include scalable, highly available IT, mobile data access as well as greater efficiency and cost transparency. Hardware is no longer procured and added to the balance sheet, it is used on a rental basis for a monthly fee. Using IT as a service is no longer the exclusive domain of large enterprises, public institutions, small and medium companies are also deploying it. What does Client as a Service (ClaaS) mean? After the success of the classic IaaS, PaaS and SaaS cloud computing models, many service providers are now offering increasingly specifi c services which host not only servers, operating systems and applications (IaaS, PaaS and SaaS) but also the complete desktop in the cloud for a monthly fee. The applications for the Desktop as a Service (DaaS) range from standard offi ces to multimedia or CAD workstations. With the Client as a Service (ClaaS) model, many service providers are going one step further and are even taking over the operation and management of the access device. What in the PC era was associated with high service costs is now available for a minimal extra cost in conjunction with a thin or zero client. CLAAS: THE CLIENT AS A SERVICE a The term Client as a Service (ClaaS) refers to a scalable service where a provider offers a completely managed computer workplace on a rental basis, including a thin, zero or software thin client and remote management. Providers in Germany include large system houses such as Cancom and cloud experts such as BLUE Consult or the Swiss company Netkom. In order to manage all access devices in the field in a cost-effective, secure and highly available manner, these and other Authorized IGEL Partners (AIP) use the highly capable IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS) remote management solution. With the software supplied as standard, all IGEL clients can be pre-configured virtually, rolled out quickly and remote-administered, updated and centrally managed in a seamless manner via the network. Thin client computing suits the cloud The term thin client computing refers to a model which has been used successfully for more than 20 years and has gained further relevance through the dynamic development of cloud computing. Unlike the client/ server principle, users no longer work with high-maintenance PC systems where local applications and business-critical data are frequently stored and maintained on site at great cost. Instead, users access IT resources hosted centrally or in the cloud. A much leaner, effi cient end device that can easily be remotely administered, such as a thin or zero client, is all that is needed to do this. A distinction is made between multi-protocol thin clients, which allow access to a number of different IT infrastructures, zero clients which are optimized for access to a specifi c VDI solution and software thin clients which run on PC hardware, notebooks or tablet PCs. The greatest savings in operating costs can be achieved if all three variants are managed, administered and supported via a standardized management environment. Arguments in favor of Client as a Service (ClaaS) According to a survey of 200 IT leaders carried out by IDC, around one in four companies in Germany (27%) uses cloud services, while a further 18% are implementing or planning them. Two thirds of both groups intend to outsource their computer center. Regardless of the required level of IT outsourcing, the question as to the suitable client strategy must be clarifi ed. Fat clients are superfl uous in at least 80% of cases, whether cloud services are used in a company s own computer center or an external one. At the same time, companies from all sectors are looking to reduce the complexity of their IT systems. One of the aims of ClaaS is to standardize the client environment of large companies and improve scalability with regards to organizational changes affecting, a branch network, sites or acquisitions. For SMEs, many of which do not have their own IT department, the attraction of ClaaS lies more in the fact that it offers a completely managed, reliable and secure workplace. In most cases, both groups are also keen to achieve greater availability and mobility as part of business continuity management. What potential ClaaS users should bear in mind With the help of remote-managed thin clients, zero clients and software thin clients, hardware and operating costs (electricity, maintenance, support etc.) can be signifi cantly and permanently reduced. Compared to a PC-based client/server network, the total cost of ownership (TCO) can be reduced by up to 70% (Fig. 1). Energy consumption is halved, as is the environmental impact over the entire product life cycle. IT service providers can take advantage of these potential savings when advertising their ClaaS services as an attractive alternative to PC workstations. However, cost benefi ts alone are not suffi cient as a selection criteria. As with all cloud services, users also need to think about things like the high availability of remote management, connection security and support. As is usually the case with cloud computing, a corresponding service level agreement (SLA) should cover all requirements. WHY COMPANIES CHOOSE CLAAS: 1. Business benefits: greater cost transparency by converting procurement costs to be included in balance sheets into monthly costs, a reduction in the size of the balance sheet, cost savings through outsourcing 2. Reduction in IT costs: less IT management, a reduction in complexity and the costs of hardware, operating systems, licenses, antivirus software, updates, patches etc.; more efficient data storage and backup (no local data storage, no more manual backups etc.) 3. Operational continuity: high availability of workplaces and data; avoidance of data, productivity and image losses thanks to highly available and secure cloud services including client management; protection against elemental damages (fire, water etc.), unauthorized access etc.; rapid data recovery. 4. Mobility: mobile data access to CRM, ERP, , Office documents etc. Maximum security during mobile access via notebooks and tablet PCs with software thin clients. 2/5

3 FIG. 1: OVERALL COSTS: THIN CLIENT VS. DESKTOP PC What end devices are suitable for ClaaS? The more administrative work the service provider can take care of on behalf of its customer, the more the burden of increasingly complex IT management on the customer is reduced. In order to be able to offer and use ClaaS cheaply, the thin and zero clients used, including all software functions, should be seamlessly remote-confi gurable. In order to cover as many usage scenarios as possible, the range of models should take into account not only the leading IT provision solutions (Citrix XenApp/Citrix XenDesktop, Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) and VMware Horizon) but also alternatives and special cases such as the 2X Remote Application Server (2X RAS) used by a number of SaaS providers. Software clients for security solutions, for example authentication with smartcards, tokens or batches, may also be required by the customer. When it comes to the thin client operating system, it makes sense to choose carefully between Linux and Windows Embedded in order to be able to connect a wide range of peripherals. With software thin clients, the service provider can also offer a low-cost transition from PCs to thin client computing. Remote management, a key function The management capabilities of specifi c thin and zero client solutions used as part of a ClaaS model ultimately decide whether or not the ClaaS solution will be successful. IGEL, the leading provider in this fi eld, is an attractive partner not only because its highly capable Universal Management Suite (UMS) is supplied free of charge but also because it is easy to set up and offers a comprehensive range of functions. Remote management takes place in a group and profi le-based manner and is very effi cient. Basic settings such as the keyboard layout or update paths are defi ned in the main profi le, while special confi gurations (e.g. display resolutions) are confi gured in sub-profi les. Profi les are assigned to individual devices or thin client groups in the solution s GUI via drag and drop. If the physical thin client is subsequently connected to the network and found by the UMS, it confi gures itself automatically using its IP address. As a result, new workstations and replacement devices can be set up and ready for use in just ten minutes. The rollout is almost virtual, as the Unmanaged PC Managed PC Thin Client Source: Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT devices can be sent to the customer via the post and even connected by the personnel on site. End user support too is provided remotely using the integrated VNC Shadowing function. Thanks to this and the secure shadowing (SSL) function with rights management and audit compliance included in the IGEL UMS software, demanding, group-based company compliance standards can also be met. On an enterprise level With its three-part architecture, the IGEL UMS provides everything necessary for implementing ClaaS. For maximum data integrity, IGEL combines a platform-independent, Java-based GUI (UMS Console) with a management server (UMS Server) and a database (UMS Database) which supports various formats for saving confi guration profi les. Thanks to the optional UMS HA extension, ClaaS providers can make the management system highly available and/or ensure that it conforms to compliance requirements (Fig. 4). In conjunction with the optionally licensable IGEL Shared WorkPlace fi rmware feature, the UMS can also be used to defi ne multi-user workstations which automatically reconfi gure themselves whenever there is a change of user. With a further optional UMS extension, the IGEL Universal Customization Builder (UCB), suitably trained administrators can even create individual extension packages for the IGEL Universal Desktop fi rmware (without scripting) and roll them out via the network. FIG. 2: THIN CLIENT SOLUTION FOR PROFESSIONAL CLAAS SERVICES END DEVICES REMOTE MANAGEMENT ROLLOUT SECURITY MANUFACTURER SERVICE Hardware: thin, zero and software thin clients (for PCs, notebooks, tablets) Firmware: Linux and Windows, wide range of protocols, clients Peripherals: support for dualview, digital dictation, smartcard readers, signature pads... Highly capable, profi le and group-based Simple operation: drag and drop, no scripting Highly available, scalable, fail-safe updates, assignment of rights, asset management etc. Open architecture, platformindependent Zero touch deployment: Network-based Pre-confi guration using MAC or IP addresses Automat. confi guration after phys. connection Rollout of specifi c fi rmware packages Certifi cate-based management and SSL/TLS encryption Support for authentication and single sign-on solutions USB control with extended protection Physical protection against theft and third parties Up to date: regular fi rmware updates Extended hardware warranty (5 years) Pre-sales and partner support Technical further training and sales training 3/5

4 FIG. 3: ADMINISTRATION, REMOTE MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT OF HARD AND SOFTWARE THIN CLIENTS CLOUD 1 CLOUD 2 CLOUD 3 With the highly capable IGEL UMS, the service provider can administer, remote-manage and support all installed hardware and software thin clients. CUSTOMER 1: UD3 LX CUSTOMER 2: IGEL UDC2 (PC/NB) CUSTOMER 3: UD3 LX UD5 W7 External IT-Management IGEL UNIVERSAL MANAGEMENT SUITE (UMS) Security for data As with cloud computing in general, data protection is a critical factor for the success of ClaaS. In addition to security in the cloud, the provider must also ensure the necessary connection security. This ultimately applies to thin client management. IGEL relieves the provider of this by allowing communication between the UMS Server and thin client to take place in a certifi cate-based manner and with SSL/TLS encryption at all times. The IGEL UMS also allows seamless USB control for all managed devices. The security that this provides is further improved by solutions from thirdparty providers such as DriveLock from Centertools. The IGEL setup can be locked for the user, enabling the thin clients to be suitable for public use as kiosk systems. Further security features include local VPN clients and accessories to combat theft and unauthorized use. IGEL clients ideal for ClaaS From standard offi ce workstations to individually hosted virtual desktops, in conjunction with the standardized, remote-administrable thin clients, zero clients and software thin clients from IGEL, ClaaS users benefi t from a high level of cost transparency and permanently simpler IT processes. They do this by converting once high-maintenance computer workstations into fully managed, reliable workplaces and then renting them under attractive terms. Thanks to the reduction in the operative burden, IT departments at large companies can concentrate on strategic tasks, while SMEs can once again focus on their core business enabling business continuity in both cases. 1 CIaaS, PaaS and SaaS are the three classic service models: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Use of computers, networks and storage media from an IT service provider Platform as a Service (PaaS): Use of computer and data capacities from an IT service provider Software as a Service (SaaS): Use of applications from an IT service provider 2 Desktop as a Service (DaaS): With DaaS, a provider hosts virtual desktops including the operating system and specific applications. Users can add further apps via an optional user self-service. 3 Virtual Desktop Infrastructure 4 Hybrid Cloud in Germany 2014, IDC, Thin clients 2011: Ecological and economic aspects of virtual desktops, Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT: 4/5

5 FIG. 4: UNIVERSAL MANAGEMENT SUITE WITH HIGH AVAILABILITY EXTENSION Highly available remote management with redundant UMS architecture UMS SERVER 1 UMS DATABASE UMS SERVER 2 UMS LOAD BALANCER (REDUNDANT) UMS SERVER 3 FIG. 5: COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION PLATFORM FOR CLAAS PROVIDERS IGEL thin clients, zero clients and software thin clients, standardized, highly available remote management, even for different operating systems and extensions (Source: IGEL) Objectives Optimized access to VDI environments Multi-protocol access to centralized IT / cloud environments Revitalization / service life prolongation of desktop hardware Solution Hardware IGEL IZ models IGEL UD models PCs, notebooks and non-igel thin clients IGEL Zero firmware IGEL UD firmware with IGEL UD firmware Firmware and operating system HDX RFX Horizon Upgrade or Windows Embedded Standard 7 Access to Citrix XenDesktop Microsoft Remote Desktop VMware Horizon View VDI environments Server based computing Cloud and web services IBM Power Systems etc. Workplace management (Thin & Zero Clients, PCs and notebooks) IGEL Universal Management Suite 4 (UMS) included! All IGEL clients come with a standard two-year warranty (starting from the date of delivery). Take advantage of our free online registration and, by doing so, automatically extend the hardware warranty period for your IGEL thin clients, as per our original end-customer warranty agreement. By completing this one-time registration, you will also obtain extended warranty periods for all future IGEL devices. This offer of warranty extension does not apply to optional accessories. IGEL is a registered trademark of IGEL Technology GmbH. All hardware and software names are registered trademarks of the respective manufacturers. Errors and omissions excepted. info@igel.com I 07/2015 IGEL Technology 99-EN-52-1 IGEL Technology Ltd info@igel.com GERMANY Augsburg Bremen Mainz AUSTRALIA Sydney AUSTRIA Vienna BELGIUM Leuven CHINA Beijing Shanghai FRANCE Paris THE NETHERLANDS Utrecht SINGAPORE Singapore SWEDEN Sundsvall SWITZERLAND Zurich UNITED KINGDOM Reading UNITED STATES Cincinnati New York 5/5