Oct
3
Written by:
Dan Maas
10/3/2007
After testing this new "thin client" technology, we believe that it is a viable, cost-effective solution for LPS schools. Take one PC and replicate it into a 7-PC pod for less than $1,000...
WARNING: This is not a silver bullet. But this technology has great promise and has performed very well to date in LPS. The nComputing device is card that inserts into a reasonably current PC (purchased within the last 3 years) and supports three KVM modules. Oooo... there's my tech jargon... a KVM is a Keyboard-Video-Mouse supporting device. The result is three more screens with Windows XP for students that each run independently all processing off the same computer. A PC can take two such cards which means that a single PC can support 6 "cloned" versions of itself to become a 7-PC learning pod!
The applications for this are significant. First, every classroom in LPS has a PC that is 3 years old or newer and therefore can be converted into a 7-PC learning pod. Next, some labs may be able to scale down the number of computers by implementing these devices which will reduce maintenance, heat production, electricity demand and noise. It should also result in more reliability and more uniform performance.
OK, so the draw-backs. The devices stream video and audio well, but the audio does seem to lose volume. While this shouldn't be problem with headphones, it is something to be aware of. Secondly, older programs that install in a stand-alone configuration (not loaded on a server) may not work on the nComputing devices. Also, our initial indications from Microsoft are that each of these devices has to be licensed like a seperate computer.
We have tested this system at Goddard Middle School, Arapahoe High School, East Elementary School and in our own lab with various PCs for hosts. We have found the installation to be reasonable and the performance to be good. In fact, the students using these devices in the AHS media center never knew they were not on their independent computers.
Check out this link for more information on this technology:
http://www.ncomputing.com/ncomputing/index.php
If you want to plan to deploy nComputing at your school, please coordinate with your computer coach and building microtech.