Thin Clients

[christoph at linuxsoup.com (christoph at linuxsoup.com)]

Linux Terminal Server Project
http://www.ltsp.org

I've been using this at home for years.  Works great with diskless clients.
I can bring a demo to the session on Wednesday and demonstrate afterwords if 
you're interested.

Basically, this solution is  diskless clients attaching to a
centralized single server.  Thus, a "decent" server is required and then
you can stick whatever onto the net for a x-term.  If you're looking for 
cheap solutions, I'd go for these Compaq SFF PII 350 systems that have been 
dumping on ebay ($30 a pop with $30 shipping). I picked up 2 and they work
great with LTSP. 

Any PC will do for the client...  I'd avoid specialized thin-clients if you
want to go for an all Linux solution.  Plain PC's are best.

As far as your server goes, I'd recommend at least a PIII with plenty
of memory (8 clients = 1GB min) and a good set of disks (SCSI).  Of course
this all varies depending upon which window manage & browser you want to use.
GNOME = a lot more resources than say ICEwm, WindowMaker, etc... 

Last, I'd recommend a switched 100MB network (or better).

Michael MacDonald wrote:
> Hello,  I figured I would post here. I've attended about 8 or so BLU 
> meetings so I may have met a few of you a while back but I usually 
> remain mute on the mailing list however I have few questions regarding 
> thin clients.  I have a client who wants to set up between 4-8 
> (possibily more) very low profile computers just for the purpose of 
> internet browsing and word processing, naturally we will be using a 
> Linux solution.   I have setup other text terminals under linux and i've 
> also forwarded X sessions to older 486s, however i haven't much 
> experience with graphic terminals or thin clients in general.  The setup 
> i'm looking to do would involve one Linux server forwarding a GDM 
> session to each thin client.  I've done a bit of research but i'm still 
> unsure what brand/type of thin client would be the best approach.   Can 
> Sun Rays provide this or do I need a Solaris server?  Also is this any 
> brand someone might recommend, I'd like to accomplish this as cheap as 
> possible but I don't mind spending extra money for better hardware.   
> I've looked on eBay and found NCD Exploras, Sun Rays, Wyse terminals, 
> and other brands ranging from 40-250 dollars.   Obviously i'd assume the 
> thin client I buy would have to support X11, correct?  Any hardware or 
> setup suggestions?
> 
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> Michael MacDonald
> macado at nonaferraris.com
> 
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