Some UNIX system operations must be performed at the console. Typically, the console is only accessible by the system operators, and administrators. Personal computers are often used to emulate dumb terminals, so that they can be connected to a UNIX system. Dumb terminals can be connected directly to a UNIX machine, or may be connected remotely, through a modem or a terminal server. Smart terminals Smart terminals, like the X terminal, can interact with the UNIX system at a higher level.
Smart terminals have enough on-board memory and processing power to support graphical interfaces.