Ohio LinuxFest 2010

We are pleased to announce that Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP) returns returns to the Ohio LinuxFest. Since LTSP has always been a very popular topic, we are thrilled!

There will be two deployments of the Linux Terminal Server Project at the Ohio LinuxFest.

1. Linux Terminal Server Project Administration tutorial.
2. Free public Internet kiosks at the the DisklessWorkstations.com table, Friday September 25 only.

More LTSP Administration Tutorial info:

Within the Ohio LinuxFest University (OLFU) program, there will be a hands-on tutorial:  Linux Terminal Server Project Administration Professional Pass registration required. $50 coupon code available at the bottom of the DisklessWorkstations.com website.  With the cooperation of League of Professional System Administrators, Shawn Powers, who is also keynoting at the Ohio LinuxFest, will deploy a LTSP network with thin clients LTSP Term 1520 - PXE Boot and LTSP Term 1220 - PXE Boot. The server will be a Thin Client Server - DLW Serv N20 which is a Xeon E5420 (Quad-core) 2.50 GHz system with 4GB of memory running LTSP with Ubuntu Linux. Since DisklessWorkstations.com has been involved with LTSP by creating LTSP and LTSP.ORG, they support LTSP deployments completely.

This is your opportunity to work with a live LTSP deployment without investing more than an afternoon's time to evaluate LTSP's value for your site. All hardware required will for the class will be provided by DisklessWorkstations.com. Alex Colcernian of DisklessWorkstations.com will be available for questions on hardware specifics.

Shawn will discuss the planning and implementation of a scalable Linux thin client environment. Topics will include:

• Planning hardware needs
• Installing in LTSP only environment, or in an existing network infrastructure
• Configuration tips
• LTSP administration basics
• Load balancing
• Advantages and disadvantages
• How to convince "suits" LTSP is a good idea

The class will assume attendees have a basic understanding of Linux server administration. If you're unsure you'll know enough about Linux to take the course, feel free to watch Shawn's "Tech Tip Videos" on the Linux Journal website. The basic command line 101 topics explained there will prepare a person for this class. 

Free Internet Terminals:

Open for OLFU students and "Early Penguins" track attendees, the free public Internet kiosks at the the Diskless Workstations table by the registration table at Hyatt Regency Columbus in the County Foyer on Friday September 25, 2009 only.

Why Deploy LTSP?

• You can provide desktop applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, reports, email, and web browsing without spending money on the server or client applications. This is free now and forever.
• Unlike its proprietary competitors, you can deploy as many thin clients as your hardware will support without buying connection licensing. Also, you may have as many users as you want to share the hardware without dealing with per-seat or per-company-headcount. LTSP uses an open source license.
• Go diskless and go green. No moving parts means less power consumption. As an added bonus, you reduce your service costs since thin clients very stable.
• Centralize your data to a server where you can provide redundancy and quicker backups. Users will have access to their data no matter where they login on the LTSP deployment.
• Ideal for public kiosks and other spaces where you need the footprint of the desktop to be so small that it does not clutter the workspace area.
• Check out the success stories to see what LTSP can do for your site.

For those seeking more information on going diskless may also like the How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love PXE Booting talk on September 26, 2009.