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Wyse Technology debuted a compact yet powerful Linux-based thin client at LinuxWorld on Tuesday and announced a 1,900 unit deployment of the device by a major European health insurance provider. The compact Winterm V50 boasts a 1GHz x86 processor and measures just 7.9 x 7.1 x 1.8 inches (201 x 180 x 46 mm).
The V50 is based on a 1GHz Transmeta Crusoe processor running Wyses Linux V6 operating system (based on a 2.6 Linux kernel), and is equipped with 128MB flash and 256MB DDR RAM memory, resulting in a stable, powerful platform for accessing applications running on a server plus locally executing Linux and Java applications, according to the company.
The V50 also features a Smart Card slot, CardBus/PCMCIA slot, and serial, parallel, and USB ports. Additionally, because it has no moving parts, the V50—and all members of the V-class thin-client products—operate silently and are maintenance free, Wyse said.
The V50s Linux-based embedded operating system enables connectivity to text-based legacy applications via a “rich” terminal emulation suite and X11, access to Web-based applications, and even to Windows applications via terminal services, Wyse added.
Already in the field
Switzerlands Christian & Social Health and Accident Insurance (CSS) company is already utilizing the devices at its Lucerne headquarters and regional branch offices. The deployment represents that industrys first implementation of a Linux-based thin-client solution for both desktop and mobile devices, the companies said in a joint statement. CSS cited centralized data security, scalability on the network, and flexibility to deploy the device in multiple-OS environments as the main reasons for selecting the V50.
The V50 is also being used to handle more than 10,000 registrations at LinuxWorld Expo in San Francisco this week, Wyse said.