Etäpäätteet

Etäpäätteet, often translated as "remote terminals" or "thin clients," are computing devices that rely heavily on a central server for processing power and data storage. Unlike traditional personal computers, etäpäätteet typically have minimal local resources, such as a basic operating system, a network interface, and input/output devices. Their primary function is to connect to a server and run applications remotely.

The concept of etäpäätteet has evolved over time. Early forms included dumb terminals, which were essentially screens and keyboards that sent input to a mainframe computer. Modern etäpäätteet, or thin clients, are more sophisticated, capable of running graphical user interfaces and a variety of applications through a network connection. They often utilize protocols like RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) or ICA (Independent Computing Architecture) to communicate with the server.

The advantages of using etäpäätteet include centralized management, enhanced security as data is not stored locally, and reduced hardware costs due to the simpler nature of the devices. They also consume less power and can have a longer lifespan compared to full-fledged PCs. However, their performance is directly dependent on the server's capabilities and the network connection's speed and reliability. If the server is overloaded or the network is slow, the user experience on the etäpäätte will suffer.