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NC (Network Computer)

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Note: Many topics at this site are reduced versions of the text in "The Encyclopedia of Networking and Telecommunications." Search results will not be as extensive as a search of the book's CD-ROM.

A network computer device or "NC" is a stripped down, inexpensive computer that is designed to rely on back-end servers for some or all of its processing requirements. The NC connects to networks via TCP/IP protocols and supports terminal emulation, X Window, Java, and Web browser software. These devices are also called "thin clients," "network appliances," "information appliances," and "Internet appliances."

The NC (Network Computer) concept and name was originally developed by Sun Microsystems, Netscape, and Oracle. NCs were meant to compete with Microsoft's monopoly over the desktop with its Windows operating system. Microsoft soon followed with NetPC, a similar thin client concept that supported Windows. Both the NC and NetPC have faded into obscurity, but thin clients are still important. Today, many include an embedded version of the Linux operating system or Windows CE. See "Thin Clients."




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