diskless workstation
<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)