Incorporating various protocols, Aqua Connect Terminal Server makes it possible for Sun Ray thin clients to achieve the Mac platform. Before the Aqua Connect Terminal Server was available, there was no way for Sun Ray thin clients to server out the Mac platform to their users. Over two years later after the first implementation, Aqua Connect Terminal Server still remains the only way to achieve multiple OS X user sessions using Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to Sun Ray thin clients.
There are many benefits to implementing Aqua Connect Terminal Server in a computing environment that contains Sun Ray thin clients. In addition to the ability to run Mac-only software on the thin clients, it is also very easy to set up. One just has to take a Sun Ray thin client and set it up as you would normally to use any other terminal server. After entering in the IP address of the Apple server running Aqua Connect Terminal Server and the user name and password of the account you want to log in to, you should be able to start using the new account right away.
By choosing to use thin clients instead of traditional desktops (fat clients) to connect to the Aqua Connect Terminal Server, one will see a reduction in energy consumption and costs for operating the computing environment. Sun Ray thin clients use 1/10th the normal power consumption of a traditional desktop. Energy efficient monitors can also be added to Sun Ray deployments to provide an even greater energy savings.
Sun ray thin clients have no moveable parts, which extends the life-span of the hardware far beyond traditional desktops and laptops. The Aqua Connect Terminal Server makes it very easy to update the client software by only having to loading once on the server, instead of on every single machine in the computing environment. As long as the client hardware is able to connect to the server via compatible protocols, it will still be usable in this scenario. This means that it will not have to be retired for new hardware as quickly.
By implementing Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Protocol with Aqua Connect, it allows for key features like audio support, local printing and performance increases that other protocols like VNC do not provide. Since RDP is a highly encrypted protocol, it keeps the information transferred between the Sun Ray thin clients and the Aqua Connect Terminal Server secure.
Aqua Connect Terminal Server also provides compatibility with SmartCard features. Users with SmartCard capabilities will be able to work on their own desktop from various locations by simply providing their SmartCards at a Sun Ray kiosk. They will be able to keep all of their programs running and still come back to them when they log in from a different location.
