Wyse WSM (formerly Wyse Streaming Manager) allows administrators to virtually manage and deliver both the operating system and the application packages for thin, diskless, end user computing devices. The centralized server runs on a Windows 2000 Server/Server 2003 machine with access to SLQ Server, while the end user devices require an 800 MHz processor or better and 256 MB or more of memory (no local storage, in either Flash or other formats, is required on the thin client platform). The vendor states that Wyse WSM works with Wyse V-00, and Wyse 941G thin computers as well as with existing thin clients, personal computers, and virtual-desktop systems.

According to the vendor, the platform delivers only those operating system bits necessary for normal operation of the device. Applications are then executed locally on the thin client machine (the vendor notes that Citrix or MTS-based execution is also supported) with all files and data remaining on the centralized server. In the event a user's hardware device fails it can be replaced, with the new unit automatically receiving the user's environment when they login. Supported operating systems that can be streamed to clients include Windows 2000 Pro/XP Pro; and therefore applications to be streamed must be supported on these operating systems.

Components of the WSM platform include Windows Server-based services that manage the streaming of the operating system and applications; an O/S image creation and deployment tool; an application packaging and deployment tool; and a Web based management interface.

A key feature of the WSM platform is its ability to separately deliver the operating system and application images to the end client. Thus the operating system can be patched and delivered to the end user on their next reboot without requiring changes to the application images; and the applications can be patched independently of the O/S images. (Application patches may or may not require a reboot of the end client, depending on the application.) Application package delivery can be based on users/roles, while a single operating system image can be separately maintained for all users.

Each thin client is deployed such that it has access to a virtual hard disk, which it believes is attached to the local device. Separate operational modes allow the administrator to configure the platform such that a user's changes are or are not saved between boots. Additionally, administrator controls allow for the protection of the system drive from unauthorized modifications.

Other features include:

- Application license management, metering, and enforcement features allow for the collection and reporting of application usage metrics. Licenses can be controlled based on time or number of concurrent users.

- Remote servers are supported for tiered deployments across large and/or multiple geographically dispersed locations, with the ability to scale to tens of thousands of devices. While the core platform requires LAN speeds for deployment (the vendor recommends a 100 Mb/sec connection between server and client), remote servers could conceivably be connected via WANs.

- Users can receive applications that they are automatically subscribed to, or they can manually subscribe to approved applications as needed.

Wyse WSM is available now. Visit the vendor's Web site for further information.