Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

diskless workstation
     
         A {personal computer} or {workstation}
        which has neither a {hard disk} nor {floppy disk} drive and
        which performs all file access via a {local area network}
        connection to a {file server}.  The lowest level {bootstrap}
        code is stored in {non-volatile storage}.  This uses a simple
        {protocol} such as {BOOTP} to request and {download} more
        sophisticated boot code and eventually, the {operating
        system}.
     
        The archtypal product was the {3Station} developed by Bob
        Metcalfe at {3Com}.  Another example was the {Sun} 3/50.
     
        Diskless workstations are ideal when many users are running
        the same application.  They are small, quiet, more reliable
        than products with disks, and help prevent both the theft of
        data and the introduction of viruses since the software and
        data available on them is controlled by the network
        administrator or system administrator.  They do however rely
        on a server which becomes a disadvantage if it is heavily
        loaded or {down}.
     
        See also {breath-of-life packet}.
     
        (1995-03-28)