Thin and Thick Client • The basic difference between both terms is that the thin client uses a remote computer for processing an application • Whereas, the thick client does the application processing by itself as it locally runs the applications What is a client? • A client is defined as a program that runs on the local machine, requesting service from the serve • It can be a device or a machine • Client has a basic hardware configuration • It is less powerful and used for easy tasks What is a thin client? • A thin client is a lightweight computer that relies on the resources of the host computer • It works by connecting with a remote server, where applications and data are stored • They don't have storage capability to store user's data, so the data stores at a remote server from which the thin client is connected to • In terms of security, they are more secure than thick clients as they have fewer security threats • System management is much easier in thin clients Thin Client Application • The thin client applications are web-based application which can be accessed on the internet using a browser • These types of applications do not require any installation of software on the client side • The complete processing is carried out on the server. • Also, these are light weight and do not occupy any space on the client side (user computer) • In addition, thin client apps can be accessed by any computer or mobile device that has internet access, making them very portable • With that said, thin client apps are only as fast and reliable as the user’s internet connection and the server’s bandwidth • Examples of thin client application are web-sites like google.com or yahoo.com. Advantages of thin client The advantages of the thin client are listed as follows • • • • It is more secure as it has fewer security threats The hardware cost in thin client is low There is less energy consumption in thin client The maintenance cost in thin client is low Disadvantages of thin client The disadvantages of thin client are listed as follows • There is no offline working. • There is a constant communication with server is required. If a server goes down, data collection is halted. What is a thick client? • The thick client relies lightly upon the server and provides rich functionality • The majority of data processing is performed by thick clients. They are also called as heavy or fat clients • In terms of security, they are less secure than thin client as they have more security threats • They are not dependent upon the applications of server as they have their own software applications and operating system Applications • Thick clients are often not well-suited for public environments • To maintain a thick client, IT needs to maintain all systems for software deployment and upgrades, rather than just maintaining the applications on the server • Additionally, thick clients often require specific applications, again posing more work and limitations for deployment • Typical examples of thick clients are G-Talk, Yahoo Messenger, Microsoft Outlook,online trading portals,etc… Advantages of thick client The advantages of thick client are given as follows – • Offline working is possible in thick client. It is a better option if the network is slow. It may work without any internet connection or can work with a slow internet connection. • It has better multimedia performance. • Thick client reduces the server demand as all data stored locally. Disadvantages of thick client The disadvantages of thick client are given as follows • It is less secure • Deployment in thick client is expensive Thin client v/s Thick client S.no. On the basis of Thin Client Thick Client 1. Basic Thin client is a lightweight computer that relies on the resources of The thick client relies lightly upon the server and provides rich the host computer. functionality. 2. Datastore In thin client, data is stored in servers. In thick client, data is stored locally. 3. Network Latency In thin client, a fast and robust network connection is required. It can work with a slow network connection. 4. Offline working There is no offline working. Offline working is possible in thick client. 5. Deployment The deployment is easier in thin client. Unlike the thin client, the deployment in thick client is expensive. 6. Data validation In thin client, the data verification is done at server side. In thick client, the data verification is done at client side. 7. Local resources It generally consumes less local resources. Unlike thin client, it consumes more local resources. 8. Security In terms of security, they are more secure than thick clients as they In terms of security, they are less secure than thin clients as they have have fewer security threats. more security threats
