Ubuntu thin client-help need at a Tibetan school in India

[Gavin McCullagh]

Hi,

On Mon, 12 Mar 2007, Phuntsok Dorjee wrote:

> The configurations of the computers in our lab are Celeron 1.5GHz, Intel
> motherboard, 128SD RAM, 52xCDROM, 15" Color Monitor. We have 30 computers
> and all the computers are networked.

These would make very powerful thin clients.  That's not a criticism, just
an observation that you could possibly get more bang for your buck using
them in a diskless workstation mode (ie so they run the programs
themselves).  However, as far as I'm aware Edubuntu doesn't yet support
this mode of operation directly so it might be a bit of a technical
challenge at present to go that route.

> I want to implement Ubuntu thin client for the lab to simplify 
> management, configuration, software distribution, anti-virus fight. etc. 
> etc. Could someone suggest what CPU and what size of RAM, Hard disk 
> would we need for the Server machine for the 30 computers.

I'd say you want to think in terms of a few things, roughly in order or
priority:

1. Fault Tolerance -- use RAID 1 or 5  if at all possible.  If/when a disk
   fails, you probably cannot afford to have all 30 thin clients die with
   it.  
2. As much RAM as possible.  On a 32-Bit system, you can get 3-4GB.  I'd
   suggest at least 3GB if you can afford it.
3. SCSI disks if at all possible.  They're supposed to be considerably
   better with multiple users.
4. Possibly 2 cpus -- 3GB RAM first though.  

Don't skimp on quality when it comes to your thin client server.  It's such
an important component that buying an unreliable one is just not worth it.
Just think what happens if it goes down.

Our thin client server is currently very under-used (usually about 5-8
users at a time).  It's a dual 3GHz Intel Xeon with 4GB RAM, 2x 75GB SCSI
disks in software RAID1.  I hope to get it to take 30-40 users
concurrently.

I hope this helps,

Gavin