On Sun, Oct 09, 2011 at 12:15:54AM +0530, Srinivasu Raju Gadiraju wrote:
> 1. Which Linux Distro is best for Server-Thin Client environment.
Asking which version of Linux is best is guaranteed to get a variety of
answers. I have been using Debian for 3 years across two sites with 50
users - the only issues that I have ever had have been self-inflicted.
I tried an Ubuntu install once and during testing the client locked up;
something which has never happened with Debian - this isolated issue is
probably untypical and terribly unfair - but it sent me back to Debian.
> 2. How to build a server which is well suited for Linux Server OS and
> LTSP (with config)
http://wiki.debian.org/LTSP/Howto
I would take the time to get the partitioning right on the server. I
made some mistakes on our first server, so I would suggest you type up
what you intend doing and email it here for feedback. Unless you're
confident that you know what you're doing of course!
Gigabit networking is very important between the switch and the server,
and I have had issues with trying to get PXE booting to work between
multiple switches - this led me to invest in a gigabit switch for each
branch. I believe some fast ethernet switches have one or two gigabit
ports, which I would imagine would work well and be cheaper.
> 3. How to install Linux and LTSP (From my small�research�this should be
> pretty straight but just wanted to have this in the list for
> more�suggestions)
Very straightforward, providing you're familiar with Linux and
preferably DHCP.
> 4. Do we need branded thin clients or can we use locally�available�non
> branded thin clients (Any specific config to look for??).
I buy "Atom based barebones PC", these tend to be an assembled case with
motherboard and Atom processor, with onboard NIC, sound and graphics.
All you need to do is add some RAM and you're done. Budget around �100
per client, but I can usually get them for about �80, knowing the usual
technology exchange rate that would equate to about $80. The beauty is
that you're not buying optical drives or hard disks that you'll never
use.
If that is still too much, then we are actively using Pentium III PCs,
and even Pentium IIs with the right kernel in the chroot should work,
but you'll probably end up with a more complex set-up as you try and
support both modern equipment and old equipment.
If you re-use old PCs - disconnect the hard drives - the noise is cut
dramatically.
I tend to be generous on the screens - giving users big LCDs with a new
keyboard and optical mouse. This means that what they see looks nice,
and that beige box can be tucked away under the desk.
> 5. How to configure and manage thin clients.
Almost no configuration is required these days, possibly dhcpd.conf
depending on how you set it up, and possibly lts.conf - if it doesn't
work perfectly first time.
> The basic applications we want the thin clients to access are
>
> 1. Firefox/chrome web browser.
Iceweasel on Debian is a well known animal for LTSP, with plenty of
information on optimal config for LTSP. You will have less guidance
with Chrome.
> 2. Open Office suite.
LibreOffice these days.
> 3. Network Printer.
We just configure the network printers on the server - they don't need
to be configured on the clients. Everything happens on the server.
> 4. Other utilities.
You probably want pessalus or kde kiosktool to lock down the clients.
> Kindly help us in providing the info/source/document so that we can build
> a perfect lab for Community college.
Good luck.
--
Chris Roberts
http://chrisjrob.com/
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