etätietokonetta

Etätietokone, often translated as remote computer or terminal, refers to a computing device that relies on a separate, more powerful computer (the host) to perform its processing tasks. In its simplest form, an etätietokone might be a basic terminal with a screen and keyboard, capable of sending input to and receiving output from the host. It does not possess significant local processing power, memory, or storage.

Historically, etätietokoneet were crucial for time-sharing systems, allowing multiple users to access a single mainframe computer simultaneously. Each user interacted with the mainframe through their own etätietokone. This model was cost-effective and efficient, as it reduced the need for individual powerful machines.

Modern interpretations of the etätietokone concept are found in thin clients, which are lightweight devices designed to access applications and data stored on a central server. While they may have some local processing capabilities for managing the user interface, the bulk of the computation still happens remotely. Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) also embodies this principle, delivering a full desktop experience to users through a network connection to a server. The primary benefit of etätietokoneet, in any era, is centralization of resources, simplified management, and often enhanced security by keeping sensitive data on the host.