Using the various protocols:

• Sm@rtServer
• RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol)
• VNC (Virtual Network Computing)
• SINUMERIK connection
• and the web browser functionality

communication of the SIMATIC ITC with a server takes place.

A thin client can access the SIMATIC WinCC / SIMATIC WinCC flexible visualization software via Sm@rtServer / Sm@rtAccess. The software runs on a server: this can be an operator panel or an IPC. Two or more SIMATIC ITCs can be operated depending on the server's performance capability.
The benefit: If the HMI project is changed, the modification need only be carried out once centrally on the server.

A new feature is that a SINUMERIK PCU/NCU can now also be operated from a SIMATIC ITC (12"/15"/19").

Low-cost and flexible structures can also be set up for SCADA applications using thin clients. For example, the thin client can communicate as an HMI client with the WinCC SCADA software via RDP.

SIMATIC Thin Clients communicate with the classical "PC world" using standard network protocols such as RDP, or VNC. RDP is currently included in every Microsoft operating system and only needs to be activated. A thin client can access the desktop of the server via RDP and carry out remote operation. The use of VNC is also very popular. The main difference to RDP is that VNC displays a "cloned" desktop if two or more operating units are connected.

Via RDP – and with a non-server operating system – only one operating unit can be active at a time and operate the server. In this case, all other stations display the log-in window. Server operating systems/virtualization solutions are therefore used for complex client-server architectures. The principle: The applications which can be accessed by the clients are defined on the server. The clients themselves can then connect to the applications enabled on the server.

The SIMATIC ITC represents applications and contents of a web server by means of the integrated web browser functionality. Web-based contents are, for example, diagnostic or user-specific web pages of an S7 controller (PROFINET) or contents from the intranet/Internet.