Network Computer

Players

The original NC specification (URL) was drafted by Sun, Oracle, IBM and Apple. The original specification included provisions for NC technology to be incorporated into existing operating systems as well as the possibility to be a separate, distinct environment. This is already coming to play with Sun's JavaVM for Solaris, Apple's Mr. J., and IBM's inclusion of a Java VM with AIX, OS/2, and OS/390, the successor to MVS.

Standards

The Network Computer is built upon Java and the TCP/IP protocols and standards for the Internet - SMTP, FTP, HTTP, POP, etc. In this respect, the NC is not too different from today's PC's and Unix workstations. It can communicate with PC's and workstations using these open standards.

Target

One of the targets of the network computer is to fill the gap where dumb terminals were formerly used. NC's however, are touted as smarter than dumb terminals. NC's are computers in their own right and are capable of performing processing - significantly more than a dumb terminal can do. They are good in situations where users have a few specific applications to run that are not particularly robust. They are touted as being a good choice kiosks and for transaction processing and for light applications like word processing. They are not a replacement for PC's in situations where PC's are used to their capacity. A typical NC has no off-line storage and are lower-powered compared to a PC.

Sun has announced 'Project Rescue',a port of their JavaOS to the Intel architecture targeted at 486 PC's which are being bumped-down as new Pentium PC's are purchased. Since a 486 is not obsolete, but iit is less powerful than Pentium or SPARC processors, and since the JavaOS requires less power than Unix or Windows, 486 may be a good match. If so, it is certainly a good use of existing resources. It should be noted that Sun's JavaStation is SPARC-based machine.

Motivations

Exploit Java technology.

Java is a language well suited for rapid creation of network applications. With Java, it is easier to deploy and update these applications because at its core, Java supports network connectivity and distributed computing. It can be used as a database client readily and on top of as many platforms as can run the Java VM.

Ease of administration.

NC's are centrally administrated. In Sun's model, NC's boot off of a central server and receive their applications from there as well (UR). No configuration is stored on the machine and user parameters are stored on the server as well. It offers at least limited location independence and the benefits of a centralized server system.

Use of Java in client-Server systems.

Java has been targeted at the client-server market. Oracle has made a commitment to using Java technology with its DBMS and some of industry has jumped on the Java model for their own IT needs. The Java VM has the advantage of being a complete computer system capable of running applications to process data and deployed correctly it can make processes more efficient by freeing the server from data processing.

Down sides

Substantial network infrastructure required

With the NC's heavy reliance on central servers for application and OS serving, they will place a burden on network resources that not all sites can handle. To use the NC effectively some sites may have to upgrade network resources which can negate the cost-saving benefits of the NC.

Existing computing environment

An immediate migration to NC technology may not be compatible with the installed base of PC's. This may not be an issue as Sun's 'Operation Rescue' can be used on the existing base of PC's and can coexist with Windows making it possible to use both, although not simultaneously. Since Java is key to the NC, applications can be written to run on a VM in a browser such as Netscape. This will ease migration and deployment of enterprise solutions.

Discussion

The Network Computer is appealing because it specifies a core set of services a system must provide, e.g. NFS, Java, TCP/IP, not a hardware standard, per se. This means that a network computer can be a new, dedicated device like Sun's JavaStation, or an operating environment on an existing platform such as the JavaOS for 486 (Project Rescue) or the HotJava Browser.

NC's are a good solution for dedicated purpose machines where it is not necessary to have a general purpose machines. They are also good deployed in client server environments. An NC is thin but not dumb and is capable of processing data as necessary.