METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR REDUCED CONFIGURATION DEPENDENCY IN THIN CLIENT APPLICATIONS

摘要

A computer network comprising a client and a server is provided, wherein a client session is initiated. The client executes a local boot image associated with the client and sends a startup request to the server over a computer network. In response to the request, the server transmits a client boot image to the client. The client boot image comprises a client operating system. After receiving the client boot image, the client initiates operation of the client operating system by executing the boot image. The client boot image may also comprise a client-side manager that is installed when the client executes the client boot image. In this embodiment, the client-side manager transmits a configuration request to the server which includes a unique client identifier. The server receives the configuration request and retrieves a configuration profile for the client using the unique client identifier. The server then uses the configuration profile to determine client configuration data and transmits the configuration data to the client. In one embodiment, the client configuration data comprises all of the software necessary for client operation. The client receives the configuration data and the client manager uses the configuration data to configure the client.