network computer definition of network computer in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

network computer

(1) A computer in the network.

(2) A method for administering personal computers in the late 1990s that never caught on. However, the concept was valid and is embodied in products today by several vendors (see thin client).

The network computer was a "thin client" that downloaded all applications and data from the network and stored all updated data back on the server. NCs were touted as "the" way to reduce costs due to centralized administration and lower-priced workstations. Its major proponents were Sun and Oracle, and Oracle subsidiary, Network Computer, Inc. licensed the specification for building compliant machines (see NCRP and Liberate).

Java-Based Machines
NCs were designed to run stand-alone Java applications as well as Java applets from a browser. Several NCs were developed, mostly running a compact operating system that was booted from the server along with the Java Virtual Machine. Using software from Citrix, NCs could also function like dumb terminals connected to a Windows NT or 2000 server.

What Happened?
Hyped as the death knell for Windows PCs, the price of PC hardware was dropping exponentially, and the cost difference between NCs and PCs quickly became negligible. In addition, Windows was heavily entrenched, and Java was just beginning to establish itself. See thin client.

Not Quite Yet

Although touted as a revolution, after a couple years, the network computer was not making an impact; witness this 1998 column from the Philadelphia Inquirer. (Article headline courtesy of the Philadelphia Inquirer.)

Sun JavaStation NC

Sun was one of the first to introduce a Java-based network computer. (Image courtesy of Sun Microsystems, Inc.)

IBM Network Station

IBM's network computer was a versatile unit in IBM shops, providing both Web and mainframe connectivity. (Image courtesy of International Business Machines Corporation. Unauthorized use not permitted.)

Wyse Winterm

Wyse had a combo NC and Windows terminal. Using software that turned an NT server into a timeshared central computer, Windows applications were run in the server and only screen changes were sent to the Winterm clients. (Image courtesy of Wyse Technology.)

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No references found	The personal computer isn't dead by a long shot, but its role as the primary platform for application development will soon be surpassed by network computing or e-business, said Paul Boulay, program director of marketing in IBM's Network Computer Division, Somers, N. PCs Losing Ground to Network Computing by Best's Review Oracle Corp appeared to announce a 33% price hike on its yet-to- be released network computer yesterday when chief executive Larry Ellison cited a box-only price tag of $199 compared to the $150 he has hitherto quoted. Oracle Hikes Price of New Network Computer by Phillips, Stephen / Computergram International Thus, having made inroads in the entertainment and retail industries, network computer marketers are taking aim at health care. Can network computers be your best friends? by Evans, Jim / Health Management Technology	network access control network access server network accounting network adapter network address Network Address Translation Network Address Translator Network Addressable Unit network administration network administrator network admission control network admittance network analysis network analyzer network appliance Network Application Support network architecture Network Associates Network Attached Storage network bridge network byte order network camera network card network closet network coding network computer Network Computer Reference Profile network computing Network Computing Devices network constant network control center network control program network coupler network data structure network database Network Definition Language Network Device Interface Specification network diagramming program network drive network driver network driver interface network drop network effect network engineer network extender Network extensible Window System network externality Network File System Network Filing System network filter network flow	Network Command Network Common Data Form Network Common Data Format Network Common Operational Picture Network Common Relevant Operational Picture Network Common Signaling Channel Network Commonality Ad Hoc Group Network Communication Interface Network Communication Server Network Communication Trunk Network Communications & Control Station Network Communications Adapter Network Communications Control Network Communications Control Facility Network Communications Group Network Communications Group Inc. Network Communications International Corp Network Communications News Network Communications Services Interface Network Communications System Network Community Profile Network Comparison and Analysis Tool Network Compatibility Engineer Network Complex network computer Network Computer Aided Design Network Computer Architecture Network Computer Incorporated, Europe, Middle East, Africa affiliate Network Computer Model Network Computer Operating System Network Computer Reference Profile Network Computer-Client Network Computer-Server Network computing Network computing Network Computing Achitecture Network Computing and Applications Network Computing Architecture Network Computing Devices Network Computing Devices Network Computing Devices, Inc. Network Computing Kernel Network Computing Software Division Network Computing System Network Computing System Network Data Representation Network Config Audit Tool Network Configuration and Change Management Network Configuration Book Network Configuration Control Board Network Configuration Editor Network Configuration Management

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References in periodicals archive

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No references found

The personal computer isn't dead by a long shot, but its role as the primary platform for application development will soon be surpassed by network computing or e-business, said Paul Boulay, program director of marketing in IBM's Network Computer Division, Somers, N.

PCs Losing Ground to Network Computing by Best's Review

Oracle Corp appeared to announce a 33% price hike on its yet-to- be released network computer yesterday when chief executive Larry Ellison cited a box-only price tag of $199 compared to the $150 he has hitherto quoted.

Oracle Hikes Price of New Network Computer by Phillips, Stephen / Computergram International

Thus, having made inroads in the entertainment and retail industries, network computer marketers are taking aim at health care.

Can network computers be your best friends? by Evans, Jim / Health Management Technology

network access control

network access server

network accounting

network adapter

network address

Network Address Translation

Network Address Translator

Network Addressable Unit

network administration