Paula Graham @ 2009 Lasa Circuit Rider Conference -- 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

1. LTSP For Grown-Ups
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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
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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
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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
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5. Some examples of local problem­solving
Educational suite
Fossbox – workstations for volunteers
Mixed network for VCOs
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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
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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
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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
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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
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paula@fossbox.org.uk

10. Connect it all up:
Internet
eth1
eth0
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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'
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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
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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
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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
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paula@fossbox.org.uk