1 “WinSun”: Deploying the Windows Desktop on a Sun Ray Anita Schwartz Carol Jarom
2 About the University of Delaware One of the oldest land-grant institutions, as well as a sea-grant, space-grant and urban- grant institution. The University enrolls over 20,000 students. More than 7,000 students live on campus.
Why Sun Rays? We started evaluating Sun Rays to replace existing NCD X-Terminals Sun introduced Sun Ray Connector Allows Sun Rays to connect to Windows! Sun Ray 1G
WinSun Project We were supporting older PCs dedicated to providing limited services. “Express Station” Same level of support was needed Sun Connector software was a natural fit 4 Sun Ray 270
5 WinSun Sites Smith Hall –Express terminals designed to provide quick access to Windows desktop functionality such as Office suite, web browsing and mail. This site also has full service desktop systems. Christiana –Full Windows desktop lab environment designed to provide Office suite, SPSS and Maple in addition to web browsing and mail. This site is in the commons area of a student dorm. Functions well as an unstaffed or minimally staff site. In WinSun sites, all files are saved or edited from a USB key and printed via VendPrint.
6 Additional WinSun Sites Dickinson -The success of the Christiana site prompted User Services to convert another residence hall computing site to a WinSun site. Student Centers - At the request of the Student Government Association, two express stations complete with printing were deployed. One in the Perkins Student Center and one in the Trabant University Center.
7 All-in-One Design Custom built cabinet –The University carpenter shop designed a cabinet for the station WinSun Terminal –For , web browsing and to view and print documents, no editing VendPrint print release station –A Mac mini was used to minimize space HP 4240 LaserJet Printer
8 WinSun Servers Hardware Configuration Sun Ultra 20 Workstation Dual Core 2.4 GHz AMD Opteron processor GB Ram 250 GB mirrored SATA Hard drive
9 WinSun Servers Hardware Configuration Sun Ultra 40 Workstation 2 x Dual Core 2.2 GHz AMD Opteron processor GB Ram 250 GB mirrored SATA Hard drive
10 WinSun Servers Software Configuration Windows 2003 ServerSolaris 10 x86 Terminal ServicesSRSS and Sun Connector Mandatory Roaming Profiles Kiosk mode script Windows FirewallHost allow-deny
11 Windows 2003 Server Configuration This server should not be a Domain Controller. –Use Local Group Policy Object (LGPO) Terminal Services configuration –Use Terminal Services Configuration tool to configure Terminal Services Terminal server computer accounts –Domain accounts that reside in an OU (organization unit) –Accounts use a mandatory profile –Group policies are set on the OU Enable the Windows Firewall –Allow only designated machines access –Unblock applications as needed
Solaris x86 Server Configuration Choose Kiosk mode for the SRSS configuration Default number of predefined kiosk users is 25 Kiosk scripts are split so direct calls on the Solaris server do not show username and password Additional script needed for USB keys to be seen on the windows server All systems are denied access to the Solaris server except 1 for remote administration 12
13 Cost and Reliability Sun Ray Terminals WinSun Terminals Low per unit cost $ for 80+ seats $ for 53+ seats Load balancing and Failover 3 Sun Fire V210s 2 Sun Fire V240s Yes 3 Ultra 20s 1 Ultra 40 2 Unix & 2 Windows Yes Hot desking (Smart cards) YesNo
14 Disadvantages Network is mission-critical. USB devices not all recognized. Graphics-intensive applications put high demand on the network. Applications that use video and audio together do not perform well.
15 Advantages Reduced staff. Ease of configuration and maintenance. Reduced security/virus administration. Reduced hardware failure. Reduced power costs.
16 Conclusion Implemented three WinSun terminal sites. Students accepted the new technology. Students requested additional terminals in Student Centers. We continue to learn and discover best practices for this environment. “Proof of concept” has sparked increased interest around campus.
Useful URLS and Contact Information Scripts: Help pages