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Developing a Thin Client

Other versions of this page are also available for the following:

Windows Mobile Not SupportedWindows Embedded CE Supported

8/27/2008

A Windows Embedded CE powered thin client is a remote-desktop terminal computer that connects to a remote server that is running Terminal Services to run programs, save files, and use network resources on that server.

A Windows Embedded CE powered thin client can deliver presentation virtualization, a virtualization service that enables you to present the user interface of an application that is running on a remote server onto the display screen that is connected to a thin client.

Thin clients can be built by using a variety of operating systems, each with their unique advantages. This section describes how to develop a thin client that is powered by Windows Embedded CE.

The Windows Thin Client OS design and the Enterprise Terminal OS design are both configurations of Windows Embedded CE that includes the Catalog items necessary to support a thin client. This includes a resource-constrained shell and support for Remote Desktop Connection by using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Operating system designers can easily create a thin client OS design by selecting either the Windows Thin Client design template or the Enterprise Terminal design template in the Windows Embedded CE OS Design Wizard. For more information, see How to Develop a Thin Client.

In This Section

  • Thin Client Overview
    Provides an overview description of a Windows Embedded CE powered thin client.
  • Designing Hardware for a Thin Client
    Describes the hardware architecture, hardware requirements, and considerations for selecting hardware components for your target device platform.
  • Thin Client Architecture
    Describes the architecture of a thin client based on Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). This includes the architecture of Terminal Services and the thin client shell. Also provides information about software requirements for the OS design.
  • Customizing a Thin Client
    Provides information about how to customize a thin client. This includes information about how to configure a thin client, registry settings, security, and best practices.
  • Remote Desktop Protocol
    Provides information about RDP. This includes operating system design development, application development, security issues, migration issues, and reference topics.