What is thin and fat client

Question

Hi,
I would like to know
what is thin and fat client.
what is the difference between thin and fat client.
How to copy config only client. (No data copy)
Appreciate for your reply... I will reward the points.
Thanks
Atul-

Answer 1

Hi Atul,
Thin Clients
A thin client is designed to be especially small so that the bulk of the data processing occurs on the server. Although the term thin client often refers to software, it is increasingly used for the computers, such as network computers and Net PCs, that are designed to serve as the clients for client/server architectures. A thin client is a network computer without a hard disk drive. They act as a simple terminal to the server and require constant communication with the server as well.
Thick Clients
In contrast, a thick client (also called a fat client) is one that will perform the bulk of the processing  in client/server applications. With thick clients, there is no need for continuous server communications as it is mainly communicating archival storage information to the server. As in the case of a thin client, the term is often used to refer to software, but again is also used to describe the networked computer itself. If your applications require multimedia components or that are bandwidth intensive, you'll also want to consider going with thick clients. One of the biggest advantages of thick clients rests in the nature of some operating systems and software being unable to run on thin clients. Thick clients can handle these as it has its own resources.
<u><b>Thick vs. Thin - A Quick Comparison</b></u>
<b><i>Thin Clients</i></b>
- Easy to deploy as they require no extra or specialized software installation
- Needs to validate with the server after data capture
- If the server goes down, data collection is halted as the client needs constant communication with the server
- Cannot be interfaced with other equipment (in plants or factory settings for example)
- Clients run only and exactly as specified by the server
- More downtime
-Portability in that all applications are on the server so any workstation can access
- Opportunity to use older, outdated PCs as clients
- Reduced security threat
<b><i>Thick Clients</i></b>
- More expensive to deploy and more work for IT to deploy
- Data verified by client not server (immediate validation)
- Robust technology provides better uptime
- Only needs intermittent communication with server
- More expensive to deploy and more work for IT to deploy
- Require more resources but less servers
- Can store local files and applications
- Reduced server demands
- Increased security issues
To copy only config client , there are few more profiles that you can choose in scc8
SAP_EXBC - SAP_UCSV with cross-client customizing
SAP_EXPA - SAP_ALL with cross-client customizing
SAP_EXPC - SAP_CUSV with cross-client customizing
if it helful reward points are appreciated
Message was edited by:
        Pierluigi Demaria
Message was edited by:
        Pierluigi Demaria