New Life for Old Computers

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New Life for Old Computers

• Linux Terminal Server Project
• R. Daniel Shyne, CCNA, CCAI
• Shyned_at_troy.k12.ny.us

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About ME Dan Shyne

• Certified Secondary Ed 7-12 Social Studies and
  English
• Cisco Certified Network Associate and Cisco
  Certified Instructor (Cisco Academy)
• Computer Network Manager Troy City Schools (6
  years)
• NOT an expert on LINUX

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My Views on Technology

• Technology is supposed to serve people
• not the other way around!
• Technology is a tool
• like a pencil, textbook or calculator
• to help accomplish a task
• Technology is a means to an end
• not the end itself!
• My goal computer labs in every class
• technology must be widely available or else it
  won't be used
• do we share one pencil or textbook for an entire
  class? - why computers?
• approach technology as we do pencils

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Pencil Theory

• We start teaching kids to use pencils very early
  (preK or K)
• We expect them to use pencils virtually every day
  in most every class
• RESULT? most students are proficient, if not
  excellent at using pencils before high school
• We don't have a seperate PENCIL CLASS
• the only time today (or this week) we're going to
  use pencils is in pencil class
• no pencils at any other time!

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Problem

• You need a new Lab

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Resources

• Youve got a Room full of Old Computers

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What Can you Do?

• Client/Server
• Terminal Service
• Stand Alones

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Solution 1 Client/Server

• Requires Computing Power _at_ the Desktop
• Newer computers required
• Software Loaded on the individual Machines

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Solution 2 Terminal Services

• Minimal Processing Power _at_ the desktop
• Investment made in the server technology
• Old computers suffice
• TCO lower by support cost reduction

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What is Terminal Server

• powerful PC that serves as the brain for
  several dummy client PCs
• server PC runs ALL the software applications (not
  the client PCs)
• client PCs are not very powerful at all
• client PCs don't need a harddrive, CD-ROM or even
  floppy drive

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Benefits of a Terminal Server

• server PC runs EVERYTHING (the operating system,
  application software, printer)
• software only needs to installed and updated on
  one machine!
• older PCs make excellent client PCs (don't throw
  them away!)

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Solution 2 Terminal Services
Alternative 1 Windows Terminal Services or
Citrix

• Pro
• Its Microsoft
• Has a consistent look and feel
• Many software options
• Con
• Its Microsoft
• Very Pricey
• Very Proprietary

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Solution 2 Terminal Services
Alternative 2 K12 Linux Terminal Server Project

• Pro
• Its Free
• Its not Microsoft
• Con
• Its not Microsoft
• Learning curve

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Cost Windows 2003 Server

• Windows 2003 Server 25 Stations
• MS 2003 Server Lisc. - 87.65
• MS Server CD Set - 25.00
• Client Access Lisc. (CAL) _at_5.49e - 137.25
• Terminal Services Lisc. (TCAL) _at_27.45 - 686.25
• MS Office Pro _at_ 53.44 -1336.00
• MS Office CD Set _at_ 25.00 - 25.00
• TOTAL 2297.15

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Complication

• Youve already spent your Tech Budget

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Cost K12 Linux Terminal Server

• K12 Term Serv. Lisc. - FREE
• K12 Term Serv. CD Set - FREE
• Client Access Lisc (CAL) - FREE
• Terminal CAL - FREE
• Open Office - FREE
• TOTAL FREE

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Choice of OS
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Did I mention that Linux was FREE!!!
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Server Hardware

• 2 or more Processors
• 2 gig or more ram
• (50 mb per terminal)
• (more memory more speed)
• Hard Drive Depends on Network Configuration
  (save on this server or on others)
• 2 Network Interface Cards

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K12 LTSP Network
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Install K12-LTSP

• Download ISOs (3)
• Burn the ISOs to CD
• Straight forward install process
• About 30-45 minutes

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Types of Clients

• Thin Clients
• The computer does not have its own resident
  operating system. Everything is running from the
  Server.
• Thick/Fat Clients
• Have their own OS but, have access to terminal
  sessions on another computer. Ie Linux or
  Microsoft Terminal Server

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Configure Clients

• Plug in to the network
• Ensure Network connectivity to the server
• Choose whether client will be thin or fat
• Determine boot process/hardware

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Configure Clients

• Determine boot process/hardware
• BootP has programmed boot rom
• Boot Disk Look in /tftpboot/lts/boot/bootroms
  or http//www.rom-o-matic.com
• PXE - Intel process called Wire for Management

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Software Available

• Right of the bat
• Open Office
• Opens,creates and saves all of the standard
  office formats.
• Its FREE
• It is truly cross-platform (Win, Mac,Linux)
• Educational Software
• Open Source Tools
• Tons of stuff to use!!!

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Troy City Schools Voyage

• Discovering a need/problem
• Search for a solution
• Test various solutions in a controlled
  environment
• Beta Test with Teachers
• Assess result
• Fix and Roll Out

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Other Uses of Open Source/Linux

• Firewalls
• LEAF.org
• Boots from a floppy
• Reuse older technology
• Works on an enterprise feature set
• Web Server
• Apache The most popular web server
• Routers LRP (Linux Router Project)
• Linuxrouter.org

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Education Related Linux Resources

• Linux Terminal Server Project
• K12linux.org
• K12 Open Source
• http//www.linuxforkids.org/
  http//schoolforge.net/

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Credits and Thanks

• Richard Ingalls, Technology Coordinator
• Glenwood R-8, West Plains, MO
• Bob Munds, Tech Coordinator
• Clinton Schools, Clinton, ME

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Quick Demo

• Remote Management
• Open Office on a terminal
• Other Applications
• Running computer Software Remotely
• Using Thick Clients