Selecting a Client Mode

Issues to consider

Whether a workstation should be set up in thin client mode or thick client mode depends on the workstation type and platform as well as on issues of mobility and performance.

Workstation type, platform, and client mode

All workstation types can be set up in thin client mode.

Note: Task Processor and Analyst workstations on all platforms must be set up in thin client mode.

When used in a cluster environment, the following types of workstations can be set up in thick or thin client mode:

• Super administrator workstation

• Administrator workstations

• Budget workstations

Note: You cannot use Oracle Universal Installer (hereinafter referred to as "Installer") or the Financial Analyzer Manager User option to set up Administrator and Super administrator workstations as thick client workstations in a cluster. Instead, you must set them up manually as described in Chapter 5.

Mobility and client mode

If the platform and workstation type support thick client access and the user requires the ability to work in a stand-alone session disconnected from the server, then the workstation should be set up as a thick client.

Performance and client mode

The following table compares performance issues for thick client and thin client modes.

Performance Issue	Thick Client	Thin Client	Thin Client in a Cluster
Network traffic	Infrequent but high volume when refreshing and submitting data.	Frequent but low volume.	Frequent but low volume to the local server. Infrequent but high volume to the shared server when refreshing and submitting.
Data distribution	Refreshing and submitting data is slower, because the personal and shared databases are not on the same server.	Refreshing and submitting data is faster, because the personal and shared databases are on the same server.	Refreshing and submitting data is slower, because the personal and shared databases are not on the same server.
Demands on remote system	Relatively low because most processing occurs on the PC.	Relatively high because most processing occurs on the server.	Low because processing occurs on the local server.
System performance	Can be improved for an individual workstation by upgrading the PC, because most processing occurs on the PC. However, this requires a high specification PC.	Can be improved for all users by upgrading the server, because most processing occurs on the server.	Can be improved for users of the cluster by upgrading the server, because most processing occurs on the server.