A Silicon Valley start-up claims to boost computing security and reduce electricity costs with a virtual desktop PC that uses no software or processor.
The Pano device, a small silver cube announced by Pano Logic Inc., has no CPU, memory, software drivers or OS, said the privately held company in Menlo Park, Calif. Instead, the device links a user’s keyboard, mouse, display and other peripherals connected by Universal Serial Bus)to a version of Microsoft Corp.. Windows Vista or XP running on a remote server.
By reducing the amount of processing and data storage performed on each user’s desktop, the approach is similar to thin-client PCs sold by Hewlett-Packard Co., Wyse Technology Inc. and Neoware Inc. and PC blades sold by ClearCube Technology Inc. Those vendors all say that users can increase IT security by storing crucial data on remote servers and save on PC management costs by allowing administrators to update software on a few centralized servers instead of on dozens, or more, client machines.
Pano Logic says its approach improves on the model by stripping even the most basic processors and local storage devices from the desktop hardware, relying on a virtualized server running software from VMware Inc. and Pano’s server application. Because the device has no software, Pano said, it is immune to worms and viruses. And without a processor it consumes only 5 watts of power, a fraction of the typical PC electric draw, the company said.
