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A New Piece of Hardware
A box labeled network computer has been delivered to your desk. Maybe it is a replacement for your current personal computer, text-only (ASCII) terminal, or workstation. Or, maybe it is to be used with a new system or application. Either way, what is a network computer, and how is this new piece of hardware going to make your job easier than the piece of hardware you already have?
What is a Network Computer?
The broad definition of a network computer (NC) is an internet-capable device that supports the following features and formats:
This definition includes everything from internet appliances, such as set-top boxes that provide Internet access to your television, to powerful PC servers that meet these requirements. Obviously, not every device that meets these minimum requirements will be useful in a business environment.
A network computer is a device-independent, network-transparent, multi-tasking device connected to a host computer in a distributed computing environment. If that makes sense, skip to Chapter 2, Operating the Network Computer. Otherwise, please read this chapter to better understand what a network computer is and how it works when you consider the components used in the definition.
- Distributed computing allows you, from a single network computer, to take advantage of all the resources available on multiple host computers. For example, from your network computer you can access multiple hosts at the same time, perhaps to run a spreadsheet from one computer, create a document on a second, and receive mail from a third. A distributed-computing environment is composed of host computers joined together by a network. Figure 1-1 shows a typical distributed-computing environment.
- Device-independent means that your network computer can open a session on any host computer accessible to you, regardless of the computer's operating system. With your network computer, you can even have simultaneous sessions running on totally different operating systems.
- Network-transparent means that your network computer can log in and run applications (called clients) on one or more host computers over the network just as if it were running locally on the computer itself. This requires a single network connection cable, not one direct cable for each host you need to access.
- Multi-tasking means that a client you start up in one window continues to run (in its window) even while you are using a different window. Also, a window can receive output even if it is completely hidden from view. Each window essentially functions like an individual terminal or personal computer. For you, the advantage is that you can have many different windows all on your network computer display.
Why Use a Network Computer?
To better understand your network computer's capabilities and advantages, consider something possibly more familiar, such as a personal computer (PC).
- The display, keyboard, and mouse serve the same function on your network computer as they do on a PC.
- Both devices require software in order to boot up and run applications. Here are some differences:
- PC software is loaded onto a (local) disk right in the PC cabinet.
- Network computer software is loaded onto a (remote) disk on a central computer.
- PC software is typically licensed for a single user on a single PC.
- X applications run on a network and are licensed for multiple users.
- Both devices require logic boards and storage devices (disks) to handle information.
- For a PC, the boards and disk drives are within the cabinet. You can only add a limited number of peripheral devices such as extra disks, printers, or modems.
- For your network computer, some of the boards are inside the logic module, but your network computer takes advantage of the main computing boards, disk drives, and peripherals located on one or more remote computers.
How Do You Use a Network Computer?
- Unpack your network computer according to the pictorial instructions on the
network computer shipping box.- Connect the keyboard, mouse, cords, and cables as shown in the pictorial physical installation guide included in the network computer box.
- Verify with your system administrator that the software to support your network computer has been installed on a computer. Ask your administrator if you need specific booting information.
- Power on your network computer and log in. Chapter 2, Operating the Network Computer details these topics.
- Run your applications. Chapter 3, Using the Network Computer describes what to do to get started.
Mouse Operations
The following list presents and explains the terms related to mouse operations that are used in this manual.
- Button (on the display) A small display box within the borders of a window, or inside a dialog box. Generally, clicking on a button activates a function or performs some action.
- Button (on the mouse) The three buttons on the top of the mouse. Table 1-1 shows the factory configuration of the buttons.
- Clicking Quickly pressing and releasing a mouse button (without moving the pointer) to select an object on the display screen or initiate a command.
- Dialog Box A box where you choose options and enter information. Use the mouse to move from field to field, click on buttons and position the text cursor. Use the keyboard to enter information in a dialog box.
- Dragging Pressing and holding down the Select mouse button while moving the pointer.
- Moving Using a mouse to change the location of the pointer on the display screen.
- Pointer An arrow on the display screen indicating the current cursor position for selecting or clicking.
- Pointing Using a mouse to position the pointer (such as an "x" or "
" symbol on the screen) on an object on the display screen.
- Releasing Releasing (lifting your finger) from a mouse button to complete a dragging action.
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The network computer advantage is that there is probably far more disk space available to the central computer than to a PC. Also, there is typically a support staff to load software and perform back ups on a central system.
Sharing software across the network is usually more cost effective than buying and maintaining separate copies for each user.
This is one of the key advantages of a distributed-computing environment. Computing power, storage, and access to peripheral devices like printers can be shared to maximize their use, and provide users with more flexibility. It is also far easier to share information with other users.