A few months ago we introduced ThinManager Enterprise, each version of which allows deployment of an unlimited number of clients on a virtually unlimited number of Windows Terminal Servers. With ThinManager Enterprise, you can buy a version of ThinManager for less than you might think that will let you install as many ACP Enabled Thin Clients (Industrial or Office) as you want. The announcement raised some eyebrows - and some questions:
While it is true that the entry level Enterprise ThinManager version ("Enterprise Server") only allows the software to be installed on two machines, it does not limit the number of Windows Terminal Servers that can be used. This important distinction is what makes this version such a money saver for many companies.
Whenever an ACP Enabled Thin Client boots, it looks for a running copy of ACP's licensing software to see if it has a valid license. If it gets the "OK" it connects to an available Windows Terminal Server operating system (Windows 2000 or 2003 Server) and starts a session. The ACP licensing software does not need to be installed on a server at all - it can be installed on almost any PC on the network.
For small installations of 25 or fewer clients, however, ACP's software is often installed on the Windows Terminal Server itself. This allows a single machine to host the ACP licenses as well as serve the applications to the clients. HMI software vendors usually do not recommend running more than 25 clients on a single server, and therefore many customers will have a large number of Terminal Servers with only one copy of ACP's software.
Technically, the product that can only be installed on two machines is called ThinServer - it is the part of ACP's ThinManager software that does the work of directing the Thin Clients, and having it installed on two machines makes it redundant. As discussed in the previous question, the Thin Clients do not need to see the licensing software (ThinServer) running on the Windows Terminal Server where they will be hosted. But when they boot, they still need to see a machine with ThinServer to be given the license they need to become operational. If the Thin Client boots while the machine with ThinServer is offline, they will display a "no license available message" on the startup screen.
Having the unlimited license pack of ThinServer installed on two machines assures that whenever the client boots it will be able to find a valid license and then go on to start a session on the designated Terminal Server.
While ThinManager is the name given to the ACP software, it is really several products. One of them (ThinServer) actually controls the licenses as discussed above. The actual "ThinManager" part is ACP's Thin Client management software interface, and is the way that Thin Client administrators interface to the system. The ThinManager software itself can be installed on any number of machines, so the status of the system can be viewed from any PC (or even Thin Client) that is on the network with the clients.
So a user running the entry level version of ACP's ThinManager Enterprise software can install ThinServer on two machines (a primary and a backup), configure any number of Windows Terminal Servers and ACP Enabled Thin Clients, and run ThinManager software from anywhere on the network.
The Enterprise versions of ThinManager allow connection of any ACP Enabled Thin Client, which includes all industrial, commercial and ThinAdapter clients. This is the same license that has always been sold with 5, 10 and 25 client connections, and replaces (and enhances) the ThinManager Office software, which only allowed connection of office grade Thin Clients.
While the two versions will work together, the interface is so different that most users want to upgrade everything to the latest version. By far the easiest way to upgrade any past versions is to join ACP's Comprehensive Support program. In addition to direct access to ACP's technical support people, Comp Support members will receive the latest versions of ThinManager as they become available.
For more information on ACP Industrial Thin Client computers, please visit our web site at http://www.thinmanager.com
To sign up for the E-mail newsletter go here: ACP newsletter signup
For an archive of past newsletter articles go to: ACP Newsletter Archive