Csillag Kristof <[email protected]> wrote on 06/26/2010 06:18:36
AM:
> From: Csillag Kristof <[email protected]>
> To: [email protected]
> Date: 06/26/2010 06:47 AM
> Subject: [Ltsp-discuss] stateless thin cliens with decent graphics
> performance - possible?
>
> Hi all,
>
> I am trying to improve my thin client installation.
>
> I have a completely heterogeneous set of (x86-based) thin client
> hardware and monitors, which I would like to use interchangeably.
>
> * * *
>
> My current configuration looks like this:
>
> - Both the server and the clients run customized Debian
> (amd64 and i386)
> - The basics are handled by LTSP.
> - The user sessions are handled by VNC.
> - The thin clients run X themselves,
> and view the user sessions using xvncviewer.
>
> I run a patched and locally modified version of VNC, which allows xrandr
> 1.1-based resizing of running sessions, and can retain DPI settings.
> With this configuration, I can
>
> - Have persistent sessions (user can log of the session,
> and log into them again, without closing the programs)
> - Have stateless thin clients (I can just power-cycle the thin
> client, relogin, nothing happens to my session)
> - Move sessions between clients (Log out on one client,
> log in on an other, continue my session exactly where I was)
> - Use the same session (without changing any settings) on all
> monitors, independently of size and resolution.
> (This is really sweet.)
>
> This is all good and well, but thanks to VNC, the graphics performance
> is horrible, especially on the bigger screens.
> (For example, on my 1600x1200 monitor, I can clearly follow the
> full-screen windows refreshing, which is no big feat, since it takes
> several seconds.)
>
> * * *
>
> On the other hand, I can run X sessions directly from my thin clients to
> the central server. This way, I can get really decent graphics
> performance, even compositing window managers work completely fine (as
> they should, since (at least some of) my thin clients have really strong
> specs, like Mobile Sempron 2100+ CPU and and Nvidia G98 graphics.)
>
> However, with this, I lose the ability to suspend I resume my sessions,
> move sessions between terminals, retain session despite terminal (or
> power) failures, etc.
>
> All in all, albeit very tempting, this second solution is unacceptable,
> since to prevent data loss, I would need to install UPSs for all
> clients, and even then, session migration would not be possible.
>
> * * *
>
> The obvious question is: is there a solution which would have the best
> of both worlds?
> (My minimum requirements would be stateless, movable sessions, and
> decent 2D performance.)
>
> Thank you for your help:
>
> Kristof Csillag
>
I too am interested in a performant solution to stateless thin clients with
movable sessions tied to a user instead of the thin client. I was excited
when looking at the list of cool features you've accomplished with VNC, but
saddened to hear of the performance.
Jeremy D. Young
Systems Analyst
O'Reilly Auto Parts
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