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What are "Thin Clients"? / What is LTSP? / What is Edubutu?

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[[Category:Ubuntu]][[Category:Linux]]

= What are "Thin Clients" ? =

'''Diskless-clients''' are just one method of connecting computers together to form a network (lab).

Workstations are referred to as '''diskless-clients''' or "'''thin-clients'''" since most of the processing is performed by the server, and routine tasks (like accepting input from mouse & keyboard and displaying graphics on monitor) are performed just in the thin client's internal memory (RAM).

A newer configuration option is to configure a lab to use '''diskless fat-clients'''. This allows the processing power to be distributed to the workstations (within their internal memory or RAM).

'''Advantages of Using Diskless Workstations:'''

* '''Save money''' on hardware (use older machines as workstations, purchase one powerful central server)

* '''LTSP is distributed under GPL''' (Gnu Public License) and will always be '''free'''

* '''Ease of upgrading or installing software''' on central server instead of creating and installing images on multiple machines...

* Thin client workstations are '''reliable''' (I have seen this with my own eyes)

* '''Reduced vulnerability from viruses'''

= What is LTSP? =

'''LTSP''' stands for ('''L'''inux '''T'''erminal '''S'''erver '''P'''roject). Here is a link to their website: [http://ltsp.org/ ltsp.org]

'''LTSP''' is a free application to connect older (legacy) machines to act as "workstations" which are connected to a central computer...

The technology was developped by '''Jim MacQuillan''', who is the inventor and current project leader of LTSP. I actually had the pleasure of meeting Jim when he accepted my invitation to speak at '''Seneca's Open Source Symposium''' several years ago (Know referred to as FSOSS).

I still maintain that the LTSP irc is one of the most '''user-friendly''' IRC channels on the Internet...

= Seneca College's Involvement in LTSP =

Since 1998 one of my colleagues at Seneca College, '''''John Selmys''''', experimented with a technique to cost-effectively connect old "junky" computers that did not have a hard disk drive to a more powerful computer server. When that computer department moved in 2005, it was discovered that those "ancient" machines were still being used by students to work on their assignments / perform homework...

The technology was developped by '''Jim MacQuillan''', and the project is called '''LTSP''' ('''L'''inux '''T'''erminal '''S'''erver '''P'''roject) the website is [http://ltsp.org/ ltsp.org]

~~Those workstations~~ '''Seneca College''', over the past 6-7 years have supported Seneca staff to start projects to donate, install, and support several high-schools in the Toronto area that are ~~referred~~ in need of affordable networking solutions. I was one of the people involved in this project. I also have volunteered to as help set up a Linux lab for a church in Orangeville, Ontario... Here are some pictures of the Linux Computer Labs we helped to set up: '''Highschools:'''~~diskless-clients~~ * [ [http://matrix.senecac.on.ca/~murray.saul/westminster/emery.png png] ] Emery Collegiate Secondary School (Toronto, ON) * [ [http://matrix.senecac.on.ca/~murray.saul/westminster/parkdale.jpg jpg] ] Parkdale Collegiate Institute (Toronto, ON) * [ N/A ] George S. Henry Secondary School (Toronto, ON) '''Other Organizations:''' * [ [http://matrix.senecac.on.ca/~murray.saul/westlab/ dir] ] Westminster United Church (Orangeville, ON) [ [[Westminster Computer Lab WIKI]] ] = What is Edubuntu? = '''Edubuntu''' or is the "'''~~thin-clients~~educational version'''" ~~since most~~ of the ~~processing is performed by the server~~Ubuntu Linux distribution. This distribution comes "bundled" with educational-based software, ranging from Kindergarten to College and ~~routine tasks~~ University (~~like accepting input from mouse & keyboard and displaying graphics on monitor~~for free of course) ~~are performed just in~~ . Edubuntu is designed to provide educators with the resources to set up an inexpensive computer lab. One of the ~~thin client's internal memory~~ versions (~~RAM~~Alternate Edubuntu CD)comes with LTSP automatically installed, so it is not necessary to install and setup LTSP after installation... Here is a link to the Edubuntu webpage (for more information):

Seneca College, over the past 6-7 years have supported Seneca staff to start projects to donate, install, and support several highschools in the Toronto area that are in need of affordable networking solutions. I was one of the people involved in this project. I also have volunteered to help set up a Linux lab for a church in Orangeville, Ontario.[http://edubuntu.org/ http://edubuntu.org/]

Msaul

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