LTC - Strength / Weakness Analysis
Strength / Weakness Analysis
Strengths:
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Able to startup multiple OMD sessions (as well as
sessions that "auto-restart", like a dumb terminal)
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Built in internet/intranet access (includes Netscape
and Java)
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Built in E-mail from IKON's Exchange Servers (using
IMAP4 protocol)
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Oracle Financial Application Client installed and
tested with 10.7 NCA
-
Easy configuration of both servers and clients
- Menu driven configuration
- Remote configuration and re-configuration
- All configuration files are text and can be read/edited under DOS/Windows, if desired
-
Will work with a wide range of PC hardware
- Most network cards supported automatically (some unusual ones not included by default)
- Most video cards and monitors supported (some configuration required)
-
Good performance on low end PC
- New machines are inexpensive to build
- May be able to use older hardware that is not usable for Windows
- No hard drive required
- Doesn't require a CD (unless also acting as a boot server)
- Recommend 486 or better with at least 32 MB RAM
-
No licensing issues
- All components are freely re-distributable
- IKON can deploy this technology anywhere with no license fees or accounting required
-
No virus problems
- All programs and configuration files may be run from Read-only media (CD's or Write protected diskettes)
- Viruses for DOS and Windows don't work at all under Linux
- If a running system is somehow compromised, a simple reboot is guaranteed to restore the original configuration
- No possibility of user installing software
- Supports printing, including printscreens, to local and network printers
- Graphical printer configuration & management
- Config files stored as text on floppy. Easily copied to other stations.
- Default support for local HP Laserjet
- Boot server for floppy-only clients can boot and run entirely from a CD
- Co-exists gracefully with existing PC's
- Can use existing DHCP server for network config (or it can be hard-coded on the diskette)
- Can use network services (storing user files or printing)
- Can provide printing and/or DHCP services to Windows PC's (accepts lpd and/or Windows print requests)
- Automatic syncronization of date and time to OMD host
- Future Ready
- IPv6 ready
- Fully Y2K compliant OS and bundled apps
- Ideal for small remote offices. The entire network can be run without any hard disks (Server runs from a CD). All user files can be saved and accessed from NT servers at another location
Weaknesses:
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Cannot directly run Windows apps
-
Would work fine with Microsoft Terminal Server and
Citrix client S/W
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Some Windows apps may run via a S/W emulator
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E-mail is available only through IMAP4 (not the Windows
Outlook client)
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Standard configuration tested with (and includes)
Netscape Mail client
-
Network capacity has an effect on load times, but
not on performance once loaded.
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This is most noticable with large executables like
Netscape.
-
IKON has plenty of bandwidth available within most
sites. By placing an LTC server at each site, WAN traffic would be reduced
to that of a PC connection, as all program transfers would take place within
the site.