1. Saving Money by Recycling Existing Computers with LTSP Peter Billson Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP.org) Linux User Group in Princeton LUG/IP July 16, 2003

2. What is the LTSP ? The Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP) is the component of Linux that allows inexpensive thin client computers to be connected to a server, spreading the power of the server to many desktops.

3. LTSP was started in 1999 to fill a need for a customer in the USA. The customer needed an inexpensive reliable method of giving 35 users access to a server based application. History of the project

4. ● Connectivity to existing business applications ● Word Processing ● Spread sheets ● Email ● Web browsing ● Easy to maintain ● Low Cost Customer Requirements

5. 1. Traditional PC with Microsoft Windows 2. Windows Based Terminal (WBT) 3. Full PC based on Linux 4. Thin client based on Linux Possible Solutions

6. ● Too expensive to deploy. Each workstation would cost $1,350 US. ● Expensive to maintain. 35 workstations would require at least 1 full-time sysadmin. ● License management problems ● Proprietary solution depending on vendor. ● Virus and Security problems ● Future software upgrades mean hardware upgrades to ALL desktops. #1 Traditional Windows PC

7. ● Based on Microsoft Windows ● Proprietary Solution depending on vendor ● Expensive Per-User licensing ● Virus and Security problems #2 Windows Based Terminal

8. ● Lower initial cost than option 1 or 2 ● Too much hardware at each desktop. No need for the Harddrive, CDRom or Floppy. ● Expensive to maintain. A hardware failure would result in downtime for the user. #3 Full PC based on Linux

9. ● No moving parts ● Loads the operating system from the server ● No local storage. Means all data and configuration information is stored (and backed up) on the server. ● Significantly lower cost. #4 Thin client based on Linux

10. Our Choice.... #4 - Linux based thin clients

11. Only 1 Problem ! There was no place to purchase a Linux based thin client solution.

12. Solution: Build our own Linux based thin client solution... The birth of the LTSP

14. LTSP Server Thin client Windows PC Apple MAC MS Windows Server

15. LTSP Server Thin client Windows PC Apple MAC MS Windows Server Thin client Windows PC Application Server Firewall Proxy Server / Content Filter Internet

16. Features of LTSP ● Ability to run any Linux program ● Graphical user interface using the X Windows System ● StarOffice / OpenOffice for Wordprocessing and Spreadsheets ● Mozilla / Netscape / Opera / Konquerer for web browsing ● Graphical Email Clients such as Evolution and Kmail ● Access to MS Windows systems via Rdesktop and Citrix ICA client.

17. More Features ● Support for Redhat, SuSE, Mandrake, Debian and many other Linux distributions. ● LTSP is very well supported. ● Installed at over 100,000 sites (estimated) ● LTSP is FREE (Licensed under the GPL)

18. So... How do you save money? Many older computers are no longer capable of running the latest version of Microsoft Windows, so Microsoft is not only forcing you to upgrade the software, but they are also forcing you to upgrade the hardware as well. Fortunately, it is very easy to convert those older computers to LTSP workstations by removing the hard disk, CD-Rom and floppy drive, and adding a bootable network card or a bootrom to the existing network card. A 90Mhz Pentium with at least 16MB of ram makes a great LTSP workstation.

19. How much can you save? $47,250 $21,500$5,750

20. How much can you save? $189,000 $74,000$11,000

21. Where to go for More Info: ● www.LTSP.org ● www.K12LTSP.org ● www.DisklessWorkstations.com

22. Demonstration

23. Thank You Questions?