Open Source

1
Open Source Thin Clients
The Lowest TCO workstations around!
Rich McCue October 2005 rmccue_at_law.uvic.ca
2

• Rich McCue

3
(No Transcript)
4
(No Transcript)
5
(No Transcript)
6
(No Transcript)
7
(No Transcript)
8
stock_options
worthless
9

• MLS Degree

10
3 Problems
(That we'll admit to today...)
11
(No Transcript)
12
Not enough OPAC's
13
budget
! lots_of_cash
14
budget
little_cash
15
(No Transcript)
16
little_cash
LTSP
17
What is LTSP?

• The Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP) is a
  component of Linux that allows many people to
  simultaneously use the same computer.
  Applications run on the server with a terminal
  (thin client) handling input and output.

18
Wan to try a Thin Client Check-out the
Sun Internet Cafe!
19
Project Goals and Objectives

• Increase the number of available workstations for
  students.
• Clean out the storage room!
• Reduce support costs decrease management
  headaches.
• And...

20

• If (budget gt cash_spent) print well
  done!

21
Possible Solutions...

• Traditional PC with Microsoft Windows
• Windows Terminal Server
• Traditional PC with Linux
• Thin client based on Linux

22
Solution 1 Traditional PC with Windows

• Too expensive to deploy. 1,400 per...
• Expensive to maintain in support staff time.
• Virus and Spyware issues to deal with.
• Overkill for web browsing word processing email.

23
I use windows on my desktop but...
24
Solution 2 Windows Terminal Server

• Expensive Per-User licensing for software.
• Virus and Spyware issues.
• Much less expensive to maintain than full windows
  desktop or full linux desktop.
• Some 3rd Party Software not supported as well in
  the Terminal Server environment. (just fine for
  web browsing, word processing webmail).

25
Solution 3 Traditional PC with Linux

• Lower initial cost than option 1 or 2.
• Too much hardware at each desktop for surfing
  web, word processing and email!
• Expensive to maintain upgrade hardware.

26
Solution 4 Thin Client based on Linux

• No moving parts (like WTS).
• Loads the operating system from the server.
• No local storage. Means all data is stored (and
  backed up) on the server.
• Significantly lower cost to purchase (no client
  cost if recycling old PCs).
• Less expensive to maintain.

27
Linux Terminal Server Project (Strengths)

• Centralized Management, Reliable, No Licensing
  Costs!
• Fast! Terminals run at the speed of the server.
• Inherent remote administration capabilities.
• Relatively secure.

28
Strengths continued
based on 30 workstations

• When evaluating OPAC alternatives say to
  yourself, Wow! That's expensive! What does it
  offer that my no cost LTSP solution does not?

29
Screaming Fast Desktop-or- Usable Thin Client
30
Weaknesses

• Legacy application support can be expensive
  and/or resource intensive (WINE WINdows
  Emulation).
• Floppy Thumb Drive support is a bit different
  than students are used to.
• Managing mixed clients can be a pain.
• You may not yet have Linux or Unix expertise in
  house.

31
Network Layout
32
LTSP Server Install Choices...

• K12 LTSP
• http//k12ltsp.org
• Currently based on Fedora Core 4 (moving to
  Ubuntu next year).
• Many built in features.
• Lots of programs.
• Admin Utilities built in.

• LTSP
• http//ltsp.org
• Use any linux distribution you want (almost).

33
Server Requirements

• Server for up to 10 Clients
• CPU One P4 or Athlon64
• RAM 1GB (80mb for each client)
• HD SATA (2 drives for faster performance)

34
K12-LTSP Install

• Looks like a regular RedHat install Until...

35
Some Quirks...

• Expects two network cards.
• DHCP server enabled by Default (a great way to
  cause network havoc).
• Automatically assumes you'll use 192.168.0.
• See the following URL's for install tips...
• http//k12ltsp.org/install.html
• http//k12ltsp.org/server.html

36
Configuring Clients

• You NEED access to your DHCP Server (or be on
  good terms with the sys Admin or set-up a
  separate VLAN for the LTSP, DHCP server).
• You need to put the MAC Address and IP address of
  the thin client in the dhcp.conf file (if you
  have an existing DHCP server that you use).
• Use either bootp or bootable floppy
• See http//www.Rom-O-Matic.net for boot floppy.
• You can also use the PXE boot protocol...

37
Kiosk configuration

• Add to the following File /etc/X11/gdm/gdm.conf
• daemon
• AutomaticLoginEnablefalse
• AutomaticLogin/usr/bin/autologin.sh
• TimedLoginEnabletrue
• TimedLogin/usr/bin/autologin.sh
• TimedLoginDelay30
• security
• AllowRemoteAutoLogintrue
• Create the following File w/ 755
  /usr/bin/autologin.sh
• !/bin/bash
• HOSTNAMEecho DISPLAY cut -f1 -d awk -F
  . ' print 1 '
• echo HOSTNAME
• exit 0

38
Kiosk configuration II

• Make sure you have a user called ws001 and the
  host name for a workstation is ws001 (in the
  /etc/hosts file).
• Then to refresh every account on Logout, create
  the following file /etc/gdm/PostSession/ws001
  and so on (one file per hostname).
• !/bin/sh
• PATH"/usr/bin/X11/usr/X11R6/bin/opt/X11R6/bin
  PATH/bin/usr/bin"
• SESSREGwhich sessreg 2gt/dev/null
• if "xSESSREG" ! "x" then
• "SESSREG" -d -w /var/log/wtmp -u /var/run/utmp
  -x "X_SERVERS" -h "REMOTE_HOST" -l "DISPLAY"
  "USER"
• fi
• rm -R /home/USER
• cp -a /etc/skel/. /home/USER
• chown -R USERUSER /home/USER
• exit 0

39
Demonstration

• Firefox Web browser
• OpenOffice 2.0 (MS Office Compatible)
• Acrobat Viewer
• Flash Plugin
• Java Plugin
• Instant Messenger
• Connect to Windows Terminal Server

My Test Bench
40
(No Transcript)
41
Enterprise Features

• Failover / Load-balancing
• LDAP Authentication
• Client Administration Tools
• Support available from a wide variety of Vendors
  (only if you want outside support. No vendor
  lock-in)

42
The year we implemented the LTSP terminals, it
was ranked as the most important improvement to
student services that year!
43
Use it where appropriate! (i.e. avoid legacy
apps).
44
The cost savings are enormous, and the
performance is great.
45
Easy to Make a Business Case for LTSP OPAC's
46
Questions Discussion...

• You can find a link to this presentation at
  http//law.uvic.ca/rmccue/
• Credits Thanks to the following
• http//ltsp.org/
• http//k12ltsp.org/
• http//www.k12ltsp.org/phpwiki/index.php/GDMKiosKM
  ode
• http//k12linux.mesd.k12.or.us/intel/
• http//yhslug.tux.org/presentations/ltsp/
• http//www.ltsp.org/presentations/

47
Any questions or comments?

• Feel free to contact me if you have any other
  questions...
• Rich McCue
• UVic Faculty of Law
• rmccue_at_law.uvic.ca
• Ph [phone]
• http//law.uvic.ca/rmccue/