PC model |
NC model |
| Each new device, such as an image scanner, densitometer, chromatography
unit etc, requires the purchase of a PC to
control it, and often the installation of a specialized card
The cost of the device includes the cost of a fully-configured PC. |
Each device has its own internal Java processor
and network card. The device is run from your computer account on
the remote server, accessed from ANY nearby NC.
The device is cheaper, because no keyboard or monitor or disk drive is needed. It only needs enough of a processor to run Java. |
| Device requires a specific PC, Mac or other platform | Device can be run from any computing platform. |
| Device must be run from the PC to which it is attached. | Device can be run from any NC on the network. |
| Operation of several devices from one PC introduces both hardware and software conflicts. | Since each device can work autonomously, there is no opportunity for conflicts to arise. Each device is just another IP address on the network. |
Return to Network Computing - The Future