< computer , networking > The archetypal diskless workstation , developed by Bob Metcalfe at 3Com and first available in 1986/1987.
The 3Station/2E had a 10 MHz 80286 processor , 1 MB of RAM (expandable to 5 MB), VGA compatible graphics with 256 KB of video RAM , and integrated AUI / BNC network transceivers for LAN access.
The product used a single printed-circuit board with four custom ASICs . It had no floppy disk drive or hard disk , it was booted from a server and stored all end-user files there.
3Com advertised "significant cost savings" due to the 3Station's ease of installation and low maintenance (this would now be referred to under the banner of " TCO ").
The 3Station cost somewhere between an IBM PC clone and an IBM PC of the day. It was not commercially successful.
(2000-07-05)