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{{Redirect-synonym|NC1|[[NC (complexity)|the NC class in computational complexity]]}}

'''Network Computer Reference Profile''' ('''NC reference profle''', '''NCRP''') is a specification for a [[network computer]] compliance put forward by [[Oracle]], endorsed by [[Sun]], [[IBM]], [[Apple]], and [[Netscape]], and finalized in 1996.

'''Network Computer Reference Profile''' ('''NC reference profleprofile''', '''NCRP''') iswas a specification for a [[network computer]] compliance put forward by [[Oracle Corporation]], endorsed by [[Sun Microsystems]], [[IBM]], [[Apple Computer]], and [[Netscape]], and finalized in 1996.

==NC1==

[[File:Ncref diagram.png|thumb|Reference Profile components]]

The first version of this specification was known as the NC1 Reference Profile.

NCRP specifiesspecified minimum hardware requirements and software protocols. Among the software requirements arewere support of IP-based protocols ([[Internet Protocol Suite|TCP/IP]], [[File Transfer Protocol|FTP]], etc.), [[www]] standards ([[HTTP]], [[HTML]], [[Java Application(software Environmentplatform)|Java]]), [[e-mailemail]] protocols, [[multimedia]] [[file format]]s, [[computer security|security]] standards. [[Operating system]]s used were [[NCOS]] or [[JavaOS]].

The minimum hardware requirements arewere:

* minimum [[screen resolution]] of 640 x 480 ([[VGA]]) or equivalent

* [[pointing device]]

* text input capabilityability

* audio output

Although this initial NC standard was intended to promote the [[diskless workstation]] model of computing, it did not preclude computers with additional features, such as the ability to operate either as a diskless workstation or a conventional [[fat client]]. Thus, an ordinary [[personal computer]] (PC) having all the required features, could technically be classified as a Network Computer; indeed, Sun noted that contemporary PCs did indeed meet the NC reference requirements.<ref>[http://www.sun.com/smi/Press/sunflash/mncrs-profile.html IBM Network Station: Reference Profile<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

{{comp-stub}}

[[Category:Computer networks]]

== StrongARM ==

The reference profile was subsequently revised to use the [[StrongARM]] processor.<ref>

{{cite web

| url = http://www.thefreelibrary.com/DIGITAL'S+STRONGARM+MICROPROCESSOR+TO+SUPERCHARGE+THE+NETWORK+COMPUTER-a018302763

| title = Digital's StrongARM microprocessor to supercharge the network computer

| accessdate = 2011-06-07

| date = 1996-05-20

| publisher = [[PR Newswire]]

| quote = Oracle and industry leaders joined together to define a reference profile [...] enable a new class of devices to ensure compatibility among them. Digital's StrongARM SA-110 microprocessor [...]}}

</ref>

== Intel ==

After a trip by Ellison to [[Acer Group]] headquarters in 1996, he realised the importance to industry of having products based on [[Intel]] ([[x86]]-compatible) processors. NCI president Jerry Baker noted that "nobody [corporate users] had ever heard of the ARM chip".<ref name="Inc1997">{{cite news|author=Guth, Rob|title=Network World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eBsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA12|accessdate=7 January 2013|date=21 April 1997|page=12|issn=0887-7661}}</ref>

== Options ==

Many NCs operated via protocols such as [[BOOTP]], [[Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol|DHCP]], [[RARP]] and [[Network File System (protocol)|NFS]].

Both for [[Internet service provider|ISP]]-bound and [[LAN]]-based reference implementation NCs, a [[smartcard]] option was available. This allowed user [[authentication]] to be performed in a secure manner, with [[Secure Sockets Layer|SSL]] providing transport security. The smartcard also provided minimal local storage for ISP dialup configuration settings. This configuration data was not required for LAN-based NCs.

== See also ==

* [[Network Computer]], the brand, created by Oracle, for which the NCRP was the specification

== References ==

<references/>

[[Category:Network computer (brand)]]

[[Category:ComputerNetworking networksstandards]]