Ncomputing

What to do if your budget covers only 1/4 (or less) of the computers you need to purchase? I'm hoping the Ncomputing Xtenda X300 holds the answer.

The Situation

One of the school buildings I work with needs a computer lab. There isn't enough money to put 30 computers in the lab. I use thin clients in the other buildings with good success but this is an elementary school. These kids use Reader Rabbit styled educational games. Anything that graphics and audio intensive is not going to travel well over our WAN.
Ncomputing takes the thin client concept and applies it on a PC level.
Ncomputing takes the thin client concept and applies it on a PC level. Essentially, the PC becomes the terminal server for up to seven users. With this technology, I should be able to use our existing monitors, keyboards and mice. I may even be able to convert some of our newer computers to the Ncomputing platform.

To my way of thinking, there are three big benefits here:

1. Reduced power consumption from fewer PCs,


2. Reduced mainenance (again from fewer PCs),


3. Reduced costs (from purchasing fewer PCs)

What Is the Xtenda X300?
The Xtenda X300 is a PCI card, three small boxes (called access terminals) and three Cat6 STP cables. Installation of the PCI card is a snap and the included CD automatically installs all of the necessary drivers and software. The only trouble I had with installation was in picking a computer without the minimum required RAM (it needs a minimum of 512 MB with a 2.4GHz CPU if you are hosting four users.) Once I switched to a beefier PC, installation was a breeze.

With the PCI card in place, simply run the three cables to the location of the three remote users and plug them into the access terminals. Each access terminal has connections for VGA, two PS/2s and one audio jack. Plug in your monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers or headphones. Realize that there are no USB ports, so don't expect to use USB keyboards or mice with the remotes. I was told by my salesperson that they only had luck with Logitech optical mice, but I've used a range of balled and optical mice with no ill effects.

The Results
Ncomputing states in there literature that this won't work with certain applications. In my initial testing I found that Mavis Beacon Education Edition worked for only one user at a time. I had no problem with Office, IE, or other standard apps. You will want to check your apps before getting too far into this, though. Make sure you undersand your license agreements, too.

Summary (for now)
This is looking like it has real potential for our lab. I'm scheduled to set our test unit up in a classroom to get some real-world feedback on it. I'll be sure to post updates as I know more about the capabilities of this promising technology.