Zero Clients for Windows MultiPoint Server 2012

Zero clients are an inexpensive and convenient way to easily expand the number of stations of your Windows Multipoint Server.  

One of the exciting changes of Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 is a new zero client plug-in architecture that can greatly improve the user experience.

Compared to the video graphics extension model of WMS 2011 this:

• provides a more responsive and fluid user experience
• increases system stability and compatibility
• removes 14 zero client station limit

Note:  Even with the 14 zero client limit removed, other factors such as client load, server size and number of USB ports still affect the number of zero client stations a WMS server can support.  Refer here for sizing guidelines.

There are two kinds of zero clients:

• USB attached
• Network attached (also known as USB over Ethernet, since to the WMS server they appear as a virtual network USB hub)

WMS 2012 Update Rollup 1 (KB2791647) should be installed prior to installing these drivers.  It is available now from the Download Center and will eventually be distributed as part of Windows Update.

Three main chip-set manufacturers provide chips for WMS zero clients.   You will need different WMS 2012 zero client drivers based on the type of zero client device you have.

Here is an overview of some of the zero client solutions available for WMS 2012: 

DisplayLink chip-set devices

 Drivers are now available for these common devices from OSBASE:

• Atrust m200 series
• HP MultiSeat T100 and T150 Thin Clients
• LG N195WU and N225WU Monitors

 Plugable technology makes DisplayLink based zero clients bundled with the OSBASE technology easily orderable through Amazon.

Magic Control Technology (MCT) chip-set devices

MCT produces a variety of USB and Network attached WMS zero client devices under their name and a variety of OEMs such as Dell Wyse.

Drivers for the following devices are available from the Connect Download Center. 

• MWS8840
• MWS8820
• MWS400UL 
• Dell Wyse E00
• Dell Wyse E01
• Dell Wyse E02

Standard Microsystems Corp (SMSC a wholly owned subsidiary of Microchip Inc.) chip-set devices

SMSC provides their chip set to a variety of OEMs who produce zero clients such as Atrust and HP.

SMSC USB Zero Client Drivers for the following devices are available from the Connect Download Center.

• Atrust m300
• Atrust m302
• Atrust m320 (When USB attached, otherwise requires Atrust USB-Over-Ethernet driver)
• HP T200 (When USB attached, otherwise requires HP USB-Over-Ethernet driver)
• Acer zero clients
• ViewSonic VMA25

SMSC Atrust USB-Over-Ethernet Zero Client Drivers for the following devices are available from the Connect Download Center.

• Atrust m320

SMSC HP USB-Over-Ethernet Zero Client Drivers for the following devices are available from the Connect Download Center.

• HP T200