Linux Thin Client Networks Design and Deployment: A quick guide for System Administrators

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A quick guide for System Administrators Learn to implement the right Linux thin client network for your requirements Evaluate and choose the right hardware and software for your deployment Techniques to intelligently design and set up your thin client network Practical advice on educating users, convincing management, and intelligent use of legacy systems In Detail A thin client network is a client-server architecture where client computers depend primarily on a central server for processing activities. The client machines (thin clients) mainly focus on passing user input to remote services and receiving and displaying the output;thin clients aren't as much about the hardware or software as about the design. This book has all the information you need to easily set up your own Linux thin client network. It will help you evaluate how a thin client network fits into your organization and make informed choices on the hardware and software needed for your deployment, discusses design issues, and guides you with building, configuring, and supporting the network. The author has given thought to the book to create something that is well rounded, and meets the needs of small and large organizations. What you will learn from this book? Chapter 1 gives you a overview of exactly what is a thin client, and the different types that are available. Chapter 2 gives you a sample of multiple types of thin clients. This chapter will help you decide the hardware to deploy. Chapter 3 identifies key areas to review when considering the financial impact of your thin client plan and also discusses hardware acquisition and staffing costs. Chapter 4 addresses what might be the hardest part of your deployment: People. Some people are passionate about their software and others are challenged with any workflow changes. It's important to address them as much as possible before, during, and after deployment. Chapter 5 reviews the network required to run thin clients. Because of the simplicity of the computing deployment, your network too is simplified. Chapter 6 covers the steps necessary to design a server for the number of users in your deployment and the steps to allow thin clients to log into and run a desktop environment. Chapter 7 explores software packages that run on Linux, along with their suitability to run over the network to thin clients. Chapter 8 reviews the process of considering the operating system to deploy on the devices and also covers interaction with USB devices and speakers. Chapter 9 covers three aspects of support: supporting your users, support within your IT staff, and support from software vendors. Approach The book consists of HOW-TOs for all elements of setting up a thin client network, as well as expert advice on decision making, based on the author's experience creating a thin client network for the city of Largo, Florida. Who this book is written for? The book is for System Administrators interested in designing and setting up a Linux thin client network and provides enough knowledge to understandhow the technology works, make decisions about deployment, and then implement a stable work environment.

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David Richards is a System Administrator for the City of Largo, Florida. He has been exposed to computer technology since his first home computer in the early 1980s. After graduating from college in 1986, he was employed in the manufacturing, distributing and printing industries. 1992 was the first year that he entered the city's employment, working with UNIX, Linux and thin clients. He promotes thin clients and open-source technology, and enjoys the challenges of deployment. He is often found in the GNOME IRC channels debugging software and interacting with the developers. Table of Contents Preface Chapter 1: Overview of Thin Clients Chapter 2: The Types of Thin Clients Chapter 3: An Analysis of Costs Chapter 4: The People Issues Chapter 5: Considering the Network Chapter 6: Implementing the Server Chapter 7: Implementing the User Software Chapter 8: Implementing the Thin Clients Chapter 9: Support Appendix A: Resources Appendix B: Installing OpenSUSE 10.2.