ShaoLin Aptus

Total System Sharing

ShaoLin Aptus introduces a powerful hybrid called "Fit Client" network computing architecture which combined the best features of thin client and fat client PC's. It is a middleware that enables a Linux server sharingits operating system and applications with multiple client PC's over network simultaneously and transparently. Once ShaoLin Aptus is installed on a Linux server, all networked client PC's can switch to a Linux "Fit Client" in minutes without individual installations and even local hard drives. Clients can even switch back to the original operating system instantly because no disruption is caused to the client's local hard drive.

True Client-based Computing

Incorporating ShaoLin's unique Intelligent Union Architecture (IUA), ShaoLin Aptus supports client PC's with mixed hardware configurations at the same time with read-only share the same copy of OS and applications. IUA is a distributed file system technology which automatically separates write-requests from clients, thus each ShaoLin fit client has its own data area (known as host profile) with its specific configurations and hardware drivers. It is the core technology of ShaoLin Aptus to maximize the utilization of shared system resources, centralize system management, ensure system consistency across the network and maintain dataless client desktops.

Since ShaoLin Aptus provides remote boot service, the fit clients can simply start-up from a standard PXE boot ROM, an Aptus client boot disk or even running the Aptus loader from DOS or by other boot loaders. ShaoLin fit clients share OS and applications from the server using NFS protocol, and run them using the local CPU and memory as on traditional PC's. The client-server connection of ShaoLin Aptus is stateless, which means the clients' active session are not maintained by the server, but the clients themselves. This allow active client sessions to continue even server crashes or after server reboot, preventing lost of unsaved data due to single point of failure.

Thin Client Network Computing Architecture

Thin client shares most system resources, such as computing power and storage, from a centralized server; only a small foot print OS, minimal software, input devices and display reside at the clients. Most programs execute at the server (server-based computing), user input and application output display are transferred to the client over the network. Multiple program sessions run at the server for each of the multiple clients (multiple users share a single physical machine - CPU, memory and storage). Customized drivers are required for local attached hardware peripherals, such as printers.

Fat Client (PC)

Fat client PC is an all-in-one design for independent operation. Operating system and software are installed and executed at the PC locally, and data files store on the local hard drive usually. It delivers independent computing power and capabilities for supporting external devices.

Comparison - Fit Client VS Thin Client

Both fit clients and thin clients increase security, simplify management and enable remote administration. Only ShaoLin fit clients deliver more predictable client-based computing power with multimedia capability, complete support of local hardware peripherals, and along with extensive flexibility and scalability. Since each fit client has its independent processing power, no high-power multiple servers are required. Each user can run demanding applications without affecting the performance of other users. Additionally, the stateless connection design of ShaoLin fit clients enables the clients continually operate even during network disconnection in which no filesystem operation is required. But thin clients are not easy to scale and requiring expensive high-power servers which are quickly saturated. Moreover, I/O ports are difficult to share or redirect to multiple users.

Comparison - Fit Client VS Fat Client

Both ShaoLin fit clients and fat client PC's use the same hardware architecture and delivering independent processing power and flexible computing environment. But fat client PC's are not originally designed for multi-user network computing. Each PC's needs separate software, hardware and settings, thus they are difficult to manage and insecure. ShaoLin fit clients overcome these problems, provide "multi-hosts multi-users" desktop system with centralized management and better utilization of system resources.