Open Source - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

About This Presentation
Title:

Open Source

Description:

Open Source. Thin Clients. Rich McCue June 2005. rmccue_at_law.uvic.ca. The Lowest TCO workstations around! Outline for This Session: What is LTSP? ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

Number of Views:35
Avg rating:3.0/5.0
Slides: 26
Provided by: wCa2
Learn more at: http://w.cali.org
Category:
Tags: open | source | uvic

less

Transcript and Presenter's Notes

Title: Open Source


1
Open Source Thin Clients
The Lowest TCO workstations around!
Rich McCue June 2005 mccue_at_law.uvic.ca
2
Outline for This Session
  • What is LTSP?
  • Our Problems Possible Solutions
  • Strengths Weaknesses of LTSP
  • Server Install
  • Client Install
  • Kiosk Configuration
  • Demonstration
  • Discussion

3
What is LTSP?
  • The Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP) is a
    component of Linux that allows inexpensive thin
    client computers to be connected to a server,
    spreading the power of the server to many
    desktops.

4
Our Problems
  • We needed more Public Workstations throughout our
    library.
  • We had no budget for new workstations.
  • We had a room full of Pentium 200's.

5
Screaming Fast Desktop-or- Usable Thin Client
6
Goals and Objectives
  • Clean out the storage room!
  • Reduce support costs decrease management
    headaches.
  • Increase the number of available workstations for
    students.
  • Fame, glory, tons of cash, stock options,
    adequate budgets, and all the other benefits of
    working in Education (yeah, right!).

Eric Harrison, link to quote
7
Possible Solutions...
  • Traditional PC with Microsoft Windows
  • Windows Terminal Service (Citrix)
  • Traditional PC with Linux
  • Thin client based on Linux

8
Solution 1 Traditional PC with Windows
  • Too expensive to deploy. Each workstation would
    cost 1,200 US.
  • Expensive to maintain. 50 workstations would
    require at least part-time systems admin.
  • Virus and Spyware problems.
  • Future software upgrades could mean hardware
    upgrades to ALL desktops.

9
Solution 2 Windows Terminal Service (Citrix)
  • Based on Microsoft Windows (some might call that
    a strength -)
  • Expensive Per-User licensing for software.
  • Virus and Security issues.
  • Much less expensive to maintain than full windows
    desktop or full linux desktop.

10
Solution 3 Traditional PC with Linux
  • Lower initial cost than option 1 or 2.
  • Too much hardware at each desktop for surfing web
    and email!
  • Expensive to maintain upgrade hardware.

11
Solution 4 Thin Client based on Linux
  • No moving parts.
  • 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 (hardware).
  • Less expensive to maintain.

12
Linux Terminal Server Project (Strengths)
13
Strengths continued
  • Keep asking how much things cost... And say Wow!
    That's expensive! What does it offer that my no
    licence fee solution does not?

14
Weaknesses
  • Legacy application support can be expensive
    and/or resource intensive (WINE WINdows
    Emulation).
  • Floppy support is a bit different than students
    are used to.
  • Managing mixed clients can be a pain.

15
Network Layout
16
Server Install Choices...
  • K12 LTSP
  • http//k12ltsp.org
  • Currently based on Fedora Core 3
  • Many built in features.
  • Lots of programs.
  • Admin Utilities built in.
  • LTSP
  • http//ltsp.org
  • Use any linux distribution you want (almost).

17
Server Requirements
  • Server for up to 5 Clients
  • CPU One P4 or Athlon64
  • RAM 512mb (50mb for each client)
  • HD SATA (2 drives for faster performance)

18
K12-LTSP Install
  • Looks like a regular RedHat install Until...

19
Some Quirks...
  • 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

20
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...

21
Kiosk configuration
  • Add to the following File /etc/X11/xdm/kdmrc
  • X-ws0040-Core
  • AutoLoginEnabletrue
  • AutoLoginUserws004
  • Edit the following File /etc/sysconfig/desktop
  • DISPLAYMANAGER"KDE"
  • DESKTOP"KDE"
  • Make sure you have a user called ws004 and the
    host name for a workstation is ws004.
  • Reboot and you should be in business.
  • You'll need to lockdown the ws004 user profile.
    KDE has great tools for this.

22
Demonstration
  • Firefox Web browser
  • OpenOffice (MS Office Compatible)
  • Acrobat Viewer
  • RealPlayer
  • Flash Plugin
  • Java Plugin
  • Connect to Windows Terminal Server

My Test Bench
23
Conclusions
  • The year we implemented the public access
    terminals, it was ranked as the most important
    improvement to student services that year!
  • Use it where appropriate! (i.e. where legacy
    apps are not an issue).
  • The cost savings will look good, and the
    performance is great.

24
Questions Discussion...
  • Credits Thanks to the following
  • http//ltsp.org/
  • http//k12ltsp.org/
  • http//www.ltsp.org/contrib/autologin_kdm.html
  • http//k12linux.mesd.k12.or.us/intel/
  • http//yhslug.tux.org/presentations/ltsp/
  • http//www.ltsp.org/presentations/
  • Case Studies
  • City of Largo Florida - 400 Thin Clients
  • LTSP for Libraries, a how-to

25
Any other questions?
  • Feel free to contact me if you have any other
    questions...
  • Rich McCue
  • UVic Faculty of Law
  • rmccue_at_law.uvic.ca
  • Ph (250) 472-4716
  • http//law.uvic.ca/rmccue/
Write a Comment
User Comments (0)
About PowerShow.com