<computer, networking> A personal computer or workstation
which has neither a hard disk nor floppy disk drive and
which performs all file access via a local area network
connection to a file server. The lowest level bootstrap
code is stored in non-volatile storage. This uses a simple
protocol such as BOOTP to request and download more
sophisticated boot code and eventually, the operating
system.
The archtypal product was the 3Station developed by Bob
Metcalfe at 3Com. Another example was the Sun 3/50.
Diskless workstations are ideal when many users are running
the same application. They are small, quiet, more reliable
than products with disks, and help prevent both the theft of
data and the introduction of viruses since the software and
data available on them is controlled by the network
administrator or system administrator. They do however rely
on a server which becomes a disadvantage if it is heavily
loaded or down.
See also breath-of-life packet.
(1995-03-28)
Nearby terms:
disk duplexing « diskette « disk farm « diskless workstation » disk mirroring » Disk Operating System » disk operating system
