[Updated Aug. 12, 2005] — Wyse Technology debuted a compact yet powerful Linux-based thin-client at LinuxWorld today, and announced a 1,900 unit deployment of the device by a major European health insurance provider. The compact Winterm V50 boasts a 1GHz x86 processor and measures just 7.9 x 7.1 x 1.8 inches (201 x 180 x 46 mm).

The V50 is based on a 1GHz Via Eden processor running Wyse's Linux V6 operating system (based on a 2.6 Linux kernel), and is equipped with 128MB flash and 256MB DDR RAM memory, resulting in a stable, powerful platform for accessing applications running on a server plus locally executing Linux and Java applications, according to the company. The V50 also features a Smart Card slot, CardBus/PCMCIA slot, and serial, parallel, and USB ports. Additionally, because it has no moving parts, the V50 — and all members of the V-class thin-client products — operate silently and are maintenance free, Wyse said.

Wyse's new Linux-based V50 thin client
(Click each image to enlarge)
The V50's Linux-based embedded operating system enables connectivity to text-based legacy applications via a “rich” terminal emulation suite and X11, access to Web-based applications, and even to Windows applications via terminal services, Wyse added.

Already in the field

Switzerland's Christian & Social Health and Accident Insurance (CSS) company is already utilizing the devices at its Lucerne headquarters and regional branch offices. The deployment represents that industry's first implementation of a Linux-based thin-client solution for both desktop and mobile devices, the companies said in a joint statement. CSS cited centralized data security, scalability on the network, and flexibility to deploy the device in multiple-OS environments as the main reasons for selecting the V50.

The V50 is also being used to handle more than 10,000 registrations at LinuxWorld Expo in San Francisco this week, Wyse said.

Key V50 features

Wyse lists the following key features of the V50:

• Stateless plug-and-play configuration
• Native X Windows, text emulations, RDP 5.1, ICA 8.0 protocols
• Firefox Web browser and media player
• Wyse Rapport (Workgroup edition) client management software
• Support for automatic log-on and -off via multifactor security techniques with an integrated smart card reader, or through add-on fingerprint or retina scanning peripherals
• “Free seating” enables system administrators to manage an individual's desktop and applications using any device from anywhere on the network — all with complete data security
• Simple, straightforward connection selection: An integrated connection manager dashboard is provided that enables simple and fast server and application connection selection
• Monorail mounting system

Even smaller sibling

(Click image to enlarge)

In addition to the Linux-powered V50, Wyse also showcased the V50's lower-end — and smaller — sibling, the Linux-powered S50 thin client. The S50 (shown at right) is based on a 533MHz AMD Geode GX processor, and is equipped with 32MB of Flash and 128MB of RAM memory. The tiny device measures just 6.94 x 4.75 x 1.38 inches (228 x 177 x 34 mm).

V50 and S50 family comparison

The following table provides a summary of key specifications of the features of the V Series, of which the V50 is the first announced member, and the S Series thin clients.

Feature	S class	V class
Processor	AMD Geode GX 466 to 533 (333 MHz to 400+ MHz)	Via Eden, 800 to 1000 MHz
Memory	32 MB Flash, 128 MB RAM	32 MB Flash, 128 MB RAM 64 MB Flash, 256 MB RAM 256 MB Flash, 256 MB RAM
Maximum video Resolution	1600 x 1200 16-bit color, 85 Hz	1600 x 1200 24-bit color, 85 Hz
USB 2.0 ports	4 (2 front, 2 back)	4 (1 front, 2 back, 1 internal)
Serial ports	1	2
Parallel ports	NA	1
PS2 ports	NA	1
Networking	10/100 Ethernet	10/100 Ethernet
Expansion	USB only	USB PCMCIA Type II (std) Internal Smart Card (opt)

Wyse introduced its first Linux-based thin client, the Wyse 5440XL, in January 2002. The company followed up with the Winterm 5125SE and 5455XL in July 2003 and with the Winterm 5150SE in August 2004.

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