Paula Graham @ 2009 Lasa Circuit Rider Conference
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What is Ubuntu LTSP?
Ubuntu is a humanfriendly
desktop/server OS
LTSP stands for 'Linux Terminal Server Project'
LTSP lets multiple computers use the same server
These can connect locally or even over the
internet
The server does almost all the work
Widely used for education or internet café suites
Increasingly being used by SMOs for offices
2. What is Ubuntu LTSP?
Ubuntu is a humanfriendly desktop/server OS
LTSP stands for 'Linux Terminal Server Project'
LTSP lets multiple computers use the same server
These can connect locally or even over the
internet
The server does almost all the work
Widely used for education or internet café suites
Increasingly being used by SMOs for offices
www.fossbox.org.uk
paula@fossbox.org.uk
3. The Pros
Reuse old equipment
Low setup and running costs
Easy installation
Low maintenance and easy backup
Environmentally friendly
Compatible with Windows on mixed networks
Fast and secure remote desktop access
When old reused boxes fail, slot in another one
www.fossbox.org.uk
paula@fossbox.org.uk
4. The Cons
If the server goes down your clients can't boot
VCOs may have legacy issues which make
migration to Ubuntu difficult
Ubuntu LTSP works well in mixed networks but
requires some skill to configure
www.fossbox.org.uk
paula@fossbox.org.uk
5. Some examples of local problemsolving
Educational suite
Fossbox – workstations for volunteers
Mixed network for VCOs
www.fossbox.org.uk
paula@fossbox.org.uk
6. LTSP for Education
Community training suite
Casual users
Updating 15 clients exceeds bandwidth quota
Users want their own profiles
LTSP can:
Manage updates centrally
Provide 'roaming' profiles for the students
Reduce costs and maintenance
www.fossbox.org.uk
paula@fossbox.org.uk
7. What to do with a bunch of old P3s?
People kindly pop in AMD 3.6 GHz single
old P3s for us to reuse core, 1 GB RAM: £130
No currently supported £30 on bits and bobs
Windows OS will run
Ubuntu 8.04 LTSP
Underpowered for fully
featured Linux distros Runs up to 10 old P3s
Noisy and prone to Full Ubuntu desktop
failure Fast and silent
www.fossbox.org.uk
paula@fossbox.org.uk
8. Rapid expansion, lack of space –
Social Enterprise
Lack of space and Ubuntu 8.04 LTSP server
parttime working – Mixed network
hotdesking Rsync backups on
Working from home reallocated hardware
Allows users to 'roam'
Legacy software
Remote sessions
Unreliable reused
New server, 2 new clients
hardware and reuse of remaining
Limited resources hardware
Total cost: £1,000
www.fossbox.org.uk
paula@fossbox.org.uk
9. What you need
Server minimum spec:
500 MB RAM for Ubuntu 8.04 + 50 MB RAM per client
2 NICs (preferably gigabit)
Client minimum spec:
Pretty much anything – P2 and P3s run very well
A PXE NIC (most NICs can netboot)
Ubuntu alternate installation disk
Common or garden network switch and Cat 5
cabling
www.fossbox.org.uk
paula@fossbox.org.uk
10. Connect it all up:
Internet
eth1
eth0
www.fossbox.org.uk
paula@fossbox.org.uk
11. Install it
Current LTS is 8.04 (Hardy)
Download & burn alternate CD
Boot server from CD
Wait for the welcome screen
Hit F4, choose LTSP installation
Choose NIC connected to the
router/internet as 'primary
network interface'
www.fossbox.org.uk
paula@fossbox.org.uk
12. Handling mixed networks
Netboot clients (F12 or
edit BIOS)
Windows and Mac
clients can connect
via FreeNX
Remote sessions via
FreeNX
Access home directories over LAN with SAMBA
Backup LTSP and legacy Windows PCs with rsync
www.fossbox.org.uk
paula@fossbox.org.uk
13. Who uses it?
Thousands of schools, colleges and internet cafés
all over the world
NGOs such as ICLEI (Local Governments for
Sustainability) http://www.iclei.org/
Commercial and professional organisations
Find more success stories on the LTSP Wiki:
http://tinyurl.com/4fvgp5
www.fossbox.org.uk
paula@fossbox.org.uk
14. Help and resources
More about Ubuntu: www.ubuntu.com
Ubuntu LTSP howto: http://tinyurl.com/58w4bc
Download Ubuntu 8.04 x86 alternate installation
CD: http://tinyurl.com/ouv878
Connecting Ubuntu clients remotely with FreeNX:
http://tinyurl.com/ogx6yt (NB you need the
client .deb from the NoMachine site)
Instructions for installing FreeNX and connecting
Windows clients: http://tinyurl.com/43oxra
www.fossbox.org.uk
paula@fossbox.org.uk