Interesting application of LTSP:
http://gnuveau.net/cgi-bin/wiki.cgi
From the overview:
The SolarNetOne ICT terminal network was conceived and designed to solve the
challenging problem of how to provide Internet access and services to rural and
developing areas where there is no existing power or communications
infrastructure. This problem is solved by combining several powerful
technologies: Photovoltaic solar electrical systems, GNU/Linux, 802.11a/b/g
packet radio, commonly known as “wifi,” Power over Ethernet, and the MIT X11
windowing system. It has been described as an “ISP in a box,” for reasons
detailed below.
SERVER
The SolarNetOne system incorporates a powerful server in a small form factor
that acts as the core of the communications system. It provides mid to long
range wireless internet coverage up to a 2 mile radius through its integrated
high power 802.11a/b/g wireless access point and high gain omni-directional
antenna. This configuration can be used to provide full internet access,
including Voice over IP telephone service, to the immediate coverage area,
which can be extended to longer ranges through the use of wireless repeater
devices. Also integrated into the server is the capability for full end-to-end
internet communications by means of its HTTP (web), SMTP (email), DNS (domain
name system), and SSH (secure shell) server software.
Additional internet services can easily be added to the network by use of the
APT (advanced package tool) repositories of GNU/Linux software available
worldwide. This is an integral part of the underlying Ubuntu operating system.
APT automates the often difficult task of installing and updating software,
making system administration tasks of installation and maintenance easy,
particularly when critical updates effecting network security are concerned.
The server itself can also be used as a network console for administration or
day-to-day operator use through its integrated monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
TERMINALS
Another key feature of the SolarNetOne system is its network attached
terminals, which provide traditional desktop services one would normally
associate with using a computer, with several powerful, attractive, and popular
desktop environments to choose from. It comes pre-installed with web browsing,
email, office, multimedia, software development and web development
applications, as well as a choice of over 15000 other applications to suit most
any computing need that are free for download through the APT system. The
terminals themselves connect to the system’s Ethernet hub, which provides both
network connection and electrical power to the terminals and their LCD monitors
over a single CAT6 Ethernet wire. This eliminates wire clutter and the need for
extra power wiring costs. They operate as “thin clients” with the majority of
the workload being handled by the server’s higher capacity processors, enabling
superior performance per over than a standalone PC architecture and
significantly lower maintenance workload than a similar solution of several
personal computers.
Also available is full sound support through integrated audio jacks, 104 key
keyboard, laser scroll mouse and the ability to plug USB memory sticks into the
terminals, allowing users to take their data with them round out the terminal’s
ability to provide a complete and rich user experience. SolarNetOne comes
standard with 5 terminals, and can expand to as many as 48 terminals per server
node. As an option in areas where allowed by law, an ATA phone adapter provides
Voice over IP telephone service through a standard telephone handset.
POWER SYSTEM
The entire SolarNetOne system is powered by 12VDC electrical current supplied
through the system’s elegant solar power generation and storage subsystem.
Using an array of photovoltaic solar panels, an advanced charge controller,
ample battery storage, and a design focusing on safety, the power subsystem
provides for all of the electrical needs associated with 24/7 server operation
and 8 hours per day of terminal access. Integrated circuit breakers on every
segment of the power sub-system provide the safest possible implementation. In
addition to its excellent performance, the use of solar power means no fuel
costs, no polluting emissions, and a long lifespan of up to 20 years of use at
listed power ratings with proper maintenance.
USER APPLICATIONS
The SolarNetOne system comes pre-installed with a wide variety of user
applications. For the user, these include:
Mozilla Firefox suite for web browsing and email
Evolution for email and calendering
OpenOffice? for office applications
GIMP and InkScape? for bitmap and vector graphics, respectively
Xmms, Xine, and Mplayer for multimedia playback
X-chat and Gaim for chat/instant messaging
Xaos fractal explorer
Bluefish html editor
and, a wide variety of games, and a choice of Enlightenment 17, Gnome, and
Fluxbox desktops environments.
Security and feature updates to these packages are available, as well as access
to over 15000 other pre-compiled software packages in the Ubuntu repositories
available via the integrated APT packaging system. Ubuntu comes GUI tools like
the Synaptic Package Manager to add or remove applications, as well as the
underlying apt-get, apt-cache, and apt-file command line tools, which Synaptic
makes use of. The system also includes python, perl, and shell interpreters, as
well as gcc and its family of compilers, libraries, debuggers and linkers for C
and C++ development.
CONCLUSION
The SolarNetOne integrated communications system provides modern, efficient,
powerful and easily maintainable internet services and access infrastructure
specifically designed to overcome the challenges inherent in off-grid and
remote location scenarios. By combining several cutting edge technologies, the
SolarNetOne system stands head and shoulders above other methods of addressing
the aforementioned problems of providing internet services and connectivity in
some of the most challenging circumstances. Designed for safety, longevity,
elegance, and ecological friendliness, the SolarNetOne system can effectively
solve the problems facing anyone seeking to deploy internet communications to
developing areas for many years to come.
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