[K12OSN] I need opinions....backup idea for when Terminal server down and I'm not around

[Jim McQuillan]

David,

I'll lay the guilt trip on you.  Buying a T-150 from
DisklessWorkstations.com is a great way to show your support of the
LTSP project.  The two guys that started LTSP are also the two guys that
own DisklessWorkstations.com.  I'm one of them.  Ron Colcernian is the
other.

There's lots of people selling hardware out there, but how many of them
can say that they are really supporting LTSP, Linux and Open Source in
general.  Yeah, I know there are a few others, and I really appreciate
any company that is helping to promote what we are all doing.

The T-150 will definately boot from USB.  I've done it many times.

As for the cost, if you are looking to buy a quantity, like 28, please
talk to Erick Tyack (etyack at DisklessWorkstations.Com), and lets see if
we can work something out.

Thanks,

Jim McQuillan
jam at Ltsp.org



On Sat, 9 Jul 2005, David Trask wrote:

> This year I'm doing my first totally dedicated thin-client lab....until
> this year we've had the ability to dual boot....WinXP or LTSP....(which we
> used most of the time).  I'm try to decide on a thin-client model such as
> the LTSP Term 150 (I have no more than $279 per unit budgeted....and I
> need 28 or so...I already have monitors and keyboards/mice)  Anyway...two
> dilemmas....I worry about what happens if the Terminal Server fails while
> I'm far away (like at Linux World).  Until now they could boot into
> Windows and still have the class go on (remember I'm a computer teacher as
> well as the tech director and have a full slate of classes...grades K-8
> over the course of a week....I see about 450-600 kids)  When I go to
> dedicated thin-clients...K12LTSP server goes down...they're dead in the
> water.  So....
>
> Couple ideas I'm tossing around....
>
> 1.  Go with something like an NTAVO NTA 6010B
> http://www.ntavo.com/ntaterminal.php Which has a flash based OS on it and
> has the RDP, ICA, X, Firfox...etc already on it so at least they could get
> to my Win Terminal Server or at least the Internet....
>
> 2.  Buy something like the LTSP Term 150 and possibly also buy (which I've
> budgeted for) USB keys for each machine that can be made bootable with
> something like Puppy Linux (Flash Puppy) or Damn Small Linux...but I don't
> know for sure if the Term 150 will boot via USB....but anyway...they could
> be handed out...they can boot via USB and at least get to the 'Net.
>
> 3.  Buy a mini-ITX barebones like this one
> http://www.caseoutlet.com/shopexd.asp?id=203  (I have one so I know they
> work...though mine has no CD drive) and add a CD drive along with 256 mb
> RAM and make my own LIVE CD from Knoppix or better yet....PCLinuxOS (very
> easy to make your own Live CD with all your own configs in place)....that
> way if the server goes down...just pop in the disc and they can boot into
> a Live CD
>
> Remember, this is my lab I'm mostly worried about....I'm open to all sorts
> of suggestions....my biggest things that are truly important....small size
> and very quiet.  I'm even willing to entertain a unit with a HD and a
> locally loaded version of Linux (for emergencies) if it's VERY quiet
> (fanless or very quiet)...and small.  So....fire away!  I could use some
> ideas, thoughts, and opinions.
>
> David N. Trask
> Technology Teacher/Coordinator
> Vassalboro Community School
> dtrask at vcsvikings.org
> (207)923-3100
>
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