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by Joel Klebanoff
Published 06/06/2006
Product Review: The Rabbit Thin Client
By Joel Klebanoff
Deck: The Rabbit is smaller, faster and cooler than the
other “Mini” or Turtle Shell type thin clients.
When the time comes to replace green-screens or even older PCs that have
reached the end of their useful lives, an increasing number of organizations are
turning to thin clients as a low-cost, versatile alternative.
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In January of this
year, Arizona-based BOSaNOVA, a leader in thin clients and network appliances
for the iSeries market, announced the addition of the Rabbit to its thin client line.
The headline of an ad that BOSaNOVA is running for the Rabbit offers a hint as
to the derivation of the product's name by suggesting that the tortoise wins
only in fairytales.
"Our new thin client fills a niche for those businesses looking for the ever
elusive combination of high-performance, small footprint, enterprise-class user
interface, and, most importantly, low cost," said Martin Pladgeman, President of
BOSaNOVA, Inc.
The Rabbit's operating specifications illustrate how BOSaNOVA is addressing
that niche. The Rabbit performs 200% faster, is 30% smaller, runs 30% cooler,
and consumes 50% less power than other "mini" or "turtle shell" thin clients.
The lower power consumption helps to reduce the total cost of ownership,
particularly as electricity rates increase. Furthermore, the cooler operating
temperatures reduce air conditioning requirements. In addition, because its
running temperature allows it to be constructed without a fan, the Rabbit does
not add to office noise levels and can be used in harsh environments.
The Rabbit's small size (1.4" x 5.5" x 5.1") and light weight (less than one
pound) reduce shipping costs and open up a variety of placement options,
including the ability to mount it on a monitor, thereby allowing organizations
to free up scarce desk and counter space.
The Rabbit, which has been optimized for green-screen replacement, also
performs well in a terminal server environment. Designed for easy setup the
configuration requires just three entries (no mouse required). An easy to read
"Quick Start" guide provides the necessary setup instructions on a single
page—a page that also includes a screen shot, a picture of the cable
outlets, a table listing the hot keys associated with the terminal and thin
client functions, and a keyboard picture illustrating those hot keys.
The Rabbit hides its underlying technology complexity in order to provide a
simple, straightforward end-user experience. To this end, the engineers at
BOSaNOVA have enhanced and customized the Linux 2.6 kernel to provide an easy to
use user interface.
Three Operating Modes
The Rabbit supports three operating modes:
- Text Based Terminal (TBT) mode offers a text-based setup feature that does
not require the use of a mouse. This mode provides a green-screen terminal with
auto-start and auto-reconnect functionality. It supports 122-key keyboards,
function key macros, and split-screen operation.
- Windows Based Terminal (WBT) mode delivers a terminal that behaves like a
CE.NET device. This mode supports full-screen applications, 5250/3270 GUIs, and
Terminal Server access. WBT mode provides access to Citrix and ProPalms servers.
As with TBT mode, WBT mode provides auto-start and auto-reconnect
capabilities.
- Desktop Mode offers a Windows-style user interface that provides access to
all applications in a windowed environment, including support for up to eight
5250/3270 GUI emulations.
Specifications
System
- High-speed AMD Geode GX
533
- RAM: 128 MB; DOM: 64 MB
- 10/100 BaseT Ethernet
- External USB 1.1 Ports (4)
- SNMP-based BOSmanager provides management tools for updates, monitoring, and
control
Thin Client/Server Computing
- RDP (5.2 equivalent) and ICA (Version 9)
- Terminal Emulation suite includes IBM 5250 and 3270, VT100, and
Wyse
Dimensions/Weight
- Unit H x W x D: 1.4" (35 mm) x 5.5" (140 mm) x 5.1"
(130 mm)
- Base weight: .88 lbs., excluding external AC/DC adaptor
Regulatory
Environmental
- Operating
Temperature: 0° ~ 40°C
- Humidity: 0% ~ 90%
- DC12V, 1.2A
Standard Package and Accessories
- Thin Client and Stand
- AC/DC Adapter
- USB to PS/2 Adapter
- 3-year warranty
- Documentation
Available options include a USB wireless adapter, USB-to-Centronics Parallel,
a Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) standard mounting bracket, and
a 104-key or 122-key driverless PC keyboard.
The base price for the Rabbit, which is available from BOSaNOVA and its
resellers, includes a three-year advance exchange warranty, technical support,
and software updates.
Joel
Klebanoff is a consultant, a writer, president of
Klebanoff
Associates, Inc., a Toronto, Canada-based
marketing communications firm, and author of BYTE-ing
Satire. Joel has 25 years experience working in
IT, first as a programmer/analyst and then as a marketer. He holds a Bachelor of
Science in computer science and an MBA, both from the University of Toronto.
Contact Joel at joel@klebanoff.com.
BOSaNOVA, Inc.
2012 W. Lone Cactus
Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85027-9919
USA
Web: www.bosanova.net
www.gorabbit.net
Email:
sales@bosanova.net
Tel: 866.865.5250
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