[ubuntu-uk] SolarNetOne solar-powered LTSP installation

[Jake Bunce]

Looks good, but I imagine the network latency would be too high to run any
VoIP services from 2 miles over an unlicenced radio frequency....

Jake


2008/10/29 Ian Pascoe <softy.lofty.ilp at btinternet.com>

> Unashamedly cribbed from another list - very interesting application of
> LTSP and Ubuntu!
>
> Ian
>
>
>    http://gnuveau.net/cgi-bin/wiki.cgi
>
> From the overview:
>
>
> The SolarNetOne ICT terminal network was conceived and designed to solve
> the challenging problem of how to provide Internet access and services to
> rural and developing areas where there is no existing power or
> communications infrastructure. This problem is solved by combining several
> powerful technologies: Photovoltaic solar electrical systems, GNU/Linux,
> 802.11a/b/g packet radio, commonly known as "wifi," Power over Ethernet, and
> the MIT X11 windowing system. It has been described as an "ISP in a box,"
> for reasons detailed below.
>
> SERVER
>
> The SolarNetOne system incorporates a powerful server in a small form
> factor that acts as the core of the communications system. It provides mid
> to long range wireless internet coverage up to a 2 mile radius through its
> integrated high power 802.11a/b/g wireless access point and high gain
> omni-directional antenna. This configuration can be used to provide full
> internet access, including Voice over IP telephone service, to the immediate
> coverage area, which can be extended to longer ranges through the use of
> wireless repeater devices. Also integrated into the server is the capability
> for full end-to-end internet communications by means of its HTTP (web), SMTP
> (email), DNS (domain name system), and SSH (secure shell) server software.
>
> Additional internet services can easily be added to the network by use of
> the APT (advanced package tool) repositories of GNU/Linux software available
> worldwide. This is an integral part of the underlying Ubuntu operating
> system. APT automates the often difficult task of installing and updating
> software, making system administration tasks of installation and maintenance
> easy, particularly when critical updates effecting network security are
> concerned. The server itself can also be used as a network console for
> administration or day-to-day operator use through its integrated monitor,
> keyboard, and mouse.
>
> TERMINALS
>
> Another key feature of the SolarNetOne system is its network attached
> terminals, which provide traditional desktop services one would normally
> associate with using a computer, with several powerful, attractive, and
> popular desktop environments to choose from. It comes pre-installed with web
> browsing, email, office, multimedia, software development and web
> development applications, as well as a choice of over 15000 other
> applications to suit most any computing need that are free for download
> through the APT system. The terminals themselves connect to the system's
> Ethernet hub, which provides both network connection and electrical power to
> the terminals and their LCD monitors over a single CAT6 Ethernet wire. This
> eliminates wire clutter and the need for extra power wiring costs. They
> operate as "thin clients" with the majority of the workload being handled by
> the server's higher capacity processors, enabling superior performance per
> over than a standalone PC architecture and significantly lower maintenance
> workload than a similar solution of several personal computers.
>
> Also available is full sound support through integrated audio jacks, 104
> key keyboard, laser scroll mouse and the ability to plug USB memory sticks
> into the terminals, allowing users to take their data with them round out
> the terminal's ability to provide a complete and rich user experience.
> SolarNetOne comes standard with 5 terminals, and can expand to as many as 48
> terminals per server node. As an option in areas where allowed by law, an
> ATA phone adapter provides Voice over IP telephone service through a
> standard telephone handset.
>
> POWER SYSTEM
>
> The entire SolarNetOne system is powered by 12VDC electrical current
> supplied through the system's elegant solar power generation and storage
> subsystem. Using an array of photovoltaic solar panels, an advanced charge
> controller, ample battery storage, and a design focusing on safety, the
> power subsystem provides for all of the electrical needs associated with
> 24/7 server operation and 8 hours per day of terminal access. Integrated
> circuit breakers on every segment of the power sub-system provide the safest
> possible implementation. In addition to its excellent performance, the use
> of solar power means no fuel costs, no polluting emissions, and a long
> lifespan of up to 20 years of use at listed power ratings with proper
> maintenance.
>
> USER APPLICATIONS
>
> The SolarNetOne system comes pre-installed with a wide variety of user
> applications. For the user, these include:
>
>  Mozilla Firefox suite for web browsing and email
>  Evolution for email and calendering
>  OpenOffice? for office applications
>  GIMP and InkScape? for bitmap and vector graphics, respectively
>  Xmms, Xine, and Mplayer for multimedia playback
>  X-chat and Gaim for chat/instant messaging
>  Xaos fractal explorer
>  Bluefish html editor
>  and, a wide variety of games, and a choice of Enlightenment 17, Gnome, and
> Fluxbox desktops environments.
>
> Security and feature updates to these packages are available, as well as
> access to over 15000 other pre-compiled software packages in the Ubuntu
> repositories available via the integrated APT packaging system. Ubuntu comes
> GUI tools like the Synaptic Package Manager to add or remove applications,
> as well as the underlying apt-get, apt-cache, and apt-file command line
> tools, which Synaptic makes use of. The system also includes python, perl,
> and shell interpreters, as well as gcc and its family of compilers,
> libraries, debuggers and linkers for C and C++ development.
>
> CONCLUSION
>
> The SolarNetOne integrated communications system provides modern,
> efficient, powerful and easily maintainable internet services and access
> infrastructure specifically designed to overcome the challenges inherent in
> off-grid and remote location scenarios. By combining several cutting edge
> technologies, the SolarNetOne system stands head and shoulders above other
> methods of addressing the aforementioned problems of providing internet
> services and connectivity in some of the most challenging circumstances.
> Designed for safety, longevity, elegance, and ecological friendliness, the
> SolarNetOne system can effectively solve the problems facing anyone seeking
> to deploy internet communications to developing areas for many years to
> come.
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