Defence studies switch to server system

By RICHARD WOOD

The Defence Department is investigating moving its desktop computing to a server-based computing Citrix system.

This "thin client" technology allows desktop systems to run software directly off centralised servers and use modern graphics-capable terminals instead of PCs.

With 6500 users, it would be the largest Citrix site in the country, taking over from the Department of Corrections, which has around 3500 users.

Chief technical officer Warwick Sullivan said the feasibility study was part of a project aiming to cut costs.

The deadline for completion of the study had passed, but it had been extended by two months.

He said a number of cost issues would have to be resolved.

One was that the bandwidth requirements for thin client from a centralised server farm were much greater than Defence used.

"Those costs are not small, and you are looking at bulk data movement, which with Telecom now means using ATM."

Defence has been using Citrix Metaframe on a smaller scale since 1996.

It is now used for 350 to 400 users.