UN buys Ncomputing thin-client desktops for schools

Thin-client vendor Ncomputing has been selected as part of a United Nations initiative to deliver 1,000 units of its thin-client desktops to schools in under-developed countries. As part of the pilot program, the thin-client desktops are to be deployed in primary and secondary schools through 2012, with Ncomputing also tasked with providing logistical and operational support.

I first came across Ncomputing's solution at a regional exhibition last year, and saw first-hand how a single desktop, with the requisite PCI cards from the company, can support six to 30 computing nodes. Each "workstation" node consists of a small hardware box that powers a keyboard, mouse and monitor. This arrangement costs less than a full-fledged PC and the energy consumption is much lower. A higher-end solution eliminates the use of the proprietary PCI cards, relying instead on standard Ethernet-based networking protocols.

UN project organizer, Dr. Paul Jhin explained to The Inquirer why Ncomputing's solution was chosen, "This maximizes the use of donated and refurbished computers and simplifies deployment and power requirements, which are key issues in many parts of the developing world."

It is not known which operating system is used by the UN-acquired solution. Ncomputing appears to be doing well so far. The company claims to have shipped an excess of a million nodes to over 140 countries in the last two years.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at The Inquirer

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