MontaVista Software, Inc. today announced that two Japanese firms, Nexterm Inc. and ELT Inc., have jointly developed “an advanced thin-client terminal” based on MontaVista Linux. The Nexterm SE is described as “a highly efficient and lightweight micro-client that executes all terminal applications in a server-based computing environment.”

Thin-client terminals are said to be idea for applications where similar tasks are repeated by multiple users and the degree of PC usage is relatively low, such as in call centers, sales offices, schools, franchises, hotel guestrooms, banks, libraries, hospitals and ticket box offices. According to market researcher IDC, the demand for the thin-client terminals is expected to grow an average of 66 percent per year, worldwide, through 2004.

From the hardware perspective, the device is based on a 206 MHz, 32-bit Intel StrongARM system-on-chip processor equipped with 32MB of SDRAM and 16MB of Flash memory. A Smart Media Card expansion slot accomodates up to 128MB of added Flash memory. The display supports up to 1024 x 768 pixel resolution full color graphics, and can drive both CRT and LCD displays. Input/output interfaces include a built-in 10 megabit/sec Ethernet NIC as well as RS232C serial, dual-USB, IrDA (factory option), PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports, and audio in/out.

On the software side, the MontaVista Linux based software stack included in the device implements Citrix ICA Protocols and supports Internet access (including TCP/IP with DNS, DHCP, PPPweb, web browsing, and email) and additionally provides connectivity with Windows 2000 Server Terminal Service, Windows NT4.0 Terminal Server Edition, Citrix WinFrame, and Citrix MetaFrame application hosting services.

The Nexterm SE thin-client terminal will be exhibited in MontaVista's Booth next week at the Embedded System Expo and Conference in Tokyo.

 
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