[debian-edu-commits] [Debian Wiki] Update of "DebianEdu/BeforeGettingStarted" by pulchras

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The "DebianEdu/BeforeGettingStarted" page has been changed by pulchras:
https://wiki.debian.org/DebianEdu/BeforeGettingStarted?action=diff&rev1=16&rev2=18

  <<TableOfContents(5)>>
- 
  
  = Before getting started =
  
- DebianEdu is an awesome Debian Blend that just works out-of-the-box. Their developers have been working for years and have burned lots of neurons developing it for you. Even though, some work is still necessary to make it work at your place. To succeed, make sure you take enough time to read and understand the following page to bring your DebianEdu network up and running. You actually need few knowledge so let's begin acquiring it!<<BR>><<BR>><<BR>>
+ DebianEdu is an awesome Debian Blend that just works out-of-the-box. Their developers have been working for years and have burned lots of neurons developing it for you. Even though, some work is still necessary to make it work at your place. To succeed, make sure you take enough time to read and understand the following page to bring your DebianEdu network up and running. You actually need few knowledge so let's begin acquiring it!
+ <<BR>><<BR>><<BR>>
  
  
  
@@ -17, +17 @@

  It is a node on a TCP/IP network that serves as an access point to another network. Most of the people with Internet connection at home have a modem router that serves as a gateway to the Internet. On medium to large intranets it will more commonly be a router that in turn receives routed traffic from another router.<<BR>>
  '''WARNING:''' be aware that on a DebianEdu network this gateway must be able to serve using "class A" ip's (typically 10.0.0.1 or similar). At home you will normally use "class C" (typically 192.168.1.1 or similar). Normally those routers are more expensive because they are sold under a "business brand". As an alternative, it is possible to use dd-wrt on suitable hardware like (for example)the Linksys WRT54GL router. Take a look (at your own risc) to http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attack-turn-your-60-router-into-a-600-router
  
- ''' Network Switch '''<<BR>>
+ '''Network Switch'''<<BR>>
  It's a computer networking device used to connect devices on a network. It is capable to send specific packets to the specific hosts that requested them.<<BR>>
  '''WARNING:''' do not confuse with a hub, as they only broadcast any packet they receive to any host connected to it.
  
  '''Main server (Tjener)'''<<BR>>
- The main server or Tjener (which is the norwegian word for server) contains information about users as well as their files and it runs most of the services in a DebianEdu network. Even though, most services can easily be moved to a different machine if necessary. '''There must be only one "Main server" in the network. You can install both a main server and a thin client server on the same machine'''.
+ The main server or Tjener (which is the norwegian word for server) contains information about users as well as their files and it runs most of the services in a DebianEdu network. Even though, most services can easily be moved to a different machine if necessary. '''There must be only one main-server in the network. You can install both a main-server and a thin client server on the same machine.'''
  
- ''' Thin client server '''<<BR>>
+ '''Thin client server'''<<BR>>
  A thin client server is a powerful machine that does most of the work by running all the processes and serving the result to the thin clients that are connected to it through a switch.<<BR>>
  It provides file central storage, central user authentication and generally they do not offer any services to the rest of the network. There can be multiple thin client servers in the network and they possibly may be used to share printers.
  
- ''' Thin client '''<<BR>>
+ '''Thin client'''<<BR>>
- A thin client is a computer terminal with a monitor, mouse and keyboard that can be an old weak machine (A 133Mhz Pentium I is enough) without even hard disk. Ideally the network card should be bootable (by PXE or Etherboot) but, if not, older cards can be obtained for just a few Euro. Alternatively you can boot them using a Bootdisk. It's function is to draw the result of the thin-client server computation and to provide mouse and keyboard input. 
+ A thin client is a computer terminal with a monitor, mouse and keyboard that can be an old weak machine (A 133Mhz Pentium I is enough) without even hard disk. Ideally the network card should be bootable (by PXE or Etherboot) but, if not, older cards can be obtained for just a few Euro. Alternatively you can boot them using a Bootdisk. It's function is to draw the result of the thin-client server computation and to provide mouse and keyboard input.
  
- ''' Workstation '''<<BR>>
+ '''Workstation'''<<BR>>
  It is regular computer where applications are installed and run locally. It allows faster startup times and access to local devices such as CD-writers but has a big maintenance cost as any workstation's operative system and software must be installed, maintained and configured individually.
  
- '''Diskless Workstation '''<<BR>>
+ '''Diskless Workstation'''<<BR>>
- It is a solution between a thin client and a workstation. It boots from the network, mounts its root file system from its next-server, and runs all applications on the local hardware. You can think about it like a regular workstation with a very long hard drive cable.
+ It is a solution between a thin client and a workstation. It boots from the network, mounts its root file system from its next-server, and runs all applications on the local hardware. You can think about it like a regular workstation with a very long hard drive cable. '''NOTE:''' Diskless workstations are also marketed using the term "?LowFat Clients" or "Halfthin Clients" or "stateless workstations".
- '''NOTE:''' Diskless workstations are also marketed using the term "LowFat Clients" or "Halfthin Clients" or "stateless workstations".
  
  '''Roaming Laptop'''<<BR>>
  They are like workstations but capable of authentication using cached credentials, meaning it can be used outside the school network. The users' files and profiles are stored on the local disk.
  
- ''' Printer '''<<BR>>
+ '''Printer'''<<BR>>
- Printers may be connected anywhere in the network, also to thin clients, but they cannot be administrated from them. Skolelinux uses [[http://www.cups.org/|CUPS]] for printing.
+ Printers may be connected anywhere in the network, also to thin clients, but they cannot be administrated from them. Skolelinux uses CUPS for printing.
  
- See [[DebianEdu/FAQ/glossary|glossary]] for more
+ See glossary for more 
  <<BR>><<BR>><<BR>>
- 
  
  
  = What is a Profile? =
@@ -55, +53 @@

  The default selection of profiles includes main-server, workstation and thin-client server. That means, the computer is able to work as a main server (mandatory) and as a workstation at the same time, but if you don't plan to use it as a workstation you could just remove that profile. This adds flexibility and ease of use to the process, so you can perform complex configurations by just selecting appropriate profiles.<<BR>>
  The available profiles are:
  
-   * '''Main-Server (tjener)'''
+ '''Main-Server (tjener)'''<<BR>>
-    Configures the main server that provides all services pre-configured to work out of the box for your network. It doesn't include user interface, so if you want one, then select Workstation or Thin-Client-Server in addition to this one. '''There must only exist one main server per network!'''
+ Configures the main server that provides all services pre-configured to work out of the box for your network. It doesn't include user interface, so if you want one, then select Workstation or Thin-Client-Server in addition to this one. There must only exist one main server per network!
-   * '''Thin-Client-Server'''
-    Configures a thin-client (and diskless workstation) server (or LTSP server) from which thin clients' boot, run their processes and store their files. This computer needs two network cards, a lot of memory, and ideally more than one processor or core. See the chapter about [[DebianEdu/Documentation/Wheezy/HowTo/NetworkClients|networked clients]] for more information on this subject. Choosing this profile also enables the workstation profile (even if it is not selected) - a thin client server can always be used as a workstation, too.
-   * '''Workstation'''
-    Provides a computer that boots from its local hard drive, runs all software and devices locally but, performs authenticated user logins by the main server, where the users' files and desktop profile are stored.
-   * '''Roaming workstation'''
-    Same as workstation but capable of authentication using cached credentials, meaning it can be used outside the school network. The users' files and profiles are stored on the local disk. Notebooks and laptops should select this profile and not 'Workstation' or 'Standalone'.
-   * '''Standalone'''
-    An ordinary computer that can function without a main server (that is, it doesn't need to be on the network). Includes laptops.
-   * '''Minimal'''
-    This profile will install the base packages and configure the machine to integrate into the DebianEdu network, but without any services and applications.  It is useful as a platform for single services manually moved out from the main-server.
- <<BR>><<BR>>
  
+ '''Thin-Client-Server'''<<BR>>
+ Configures a thin-client (and diskless workstation) server (or LTSP server) from which thin clients' boot, run their processes and store their files. This computer needs two network cards, a lot of memory, and ideally more than one processor or core. See the chapter about networked clients for more information on this subject. Choosing this profile also enables the workstation profile (even if it is not selected) - a thin client server can always be used as a workstation, too.
+ 
+ '''Workstation'''<<BR>>
+ Provides a computer that boots from its local hard drive, runs all software and devices locally but, performs authenticated user logins by the main server, where the users' files and desktop profile are stored.
+ 
+ '''Roaming workstation'''<<BR>>
+ Same as workstation but capable of authentication using cached credentials, meaning it can be used outside the school network. The users' files and profiles are stored on the local disk. Notebooks and laptops should select this profile and not 'Workstation' or 'Standalone'.
+ 
+ '''Standalone'''<<BR>>
+ An ordinary computer that can function without a main server (that is, it doesn't need to be on the network). Includes laptops.
+ 
+ '''Minimal'''<<BR>>
+ This profile will install the base packages and configure the machine to integrate into the DebianEdu network, but without any services and applications. It is useful as a platform for single services manually moved out from the main-server.
+ <<BR>><<BR>><<BR>>
  
  
  = Standard topology =
  
- {{attachment:standard-topology.png}}
- 
  
  = Basic requirements =
  
- <<BR>><<BR>><<BR>>
+ 
  
  
  
@@ -86, +86 @@

  
  Skolelinux, Edubuntu and a number of other Linux and Windows based systems use what are called thin client PCs. For the ordinary user, these behave very much like ordinary computers. However, for the administrator they are cheaper and far easier to maintain. If you are going to use or maintain thin clients on a network, it is important to understand the basics of how they work and their limitations. This will hopefully do this.
  
- == The Basic Idea ==
+ The Basic Idea
  
  If you manage a large network of computers, running around to each one fixing issues can be an incredibly time consuming experience -- particularly if your network is spread over a large area. For any administrator, it is preferable to have some means to centrally control all computers rather than spending valuable time running around to each.
  
@@ -100, +100 @@

  
  However, you cannot just plug a mouse, keyboard and monitor into a network. Instead you place a very small, low powered computer at the person's desk. This is called the thin client. Its sole purpose is to send and receive the mouse, keyboard and monitor signals across the network. When the user moves/clicks the mouse or presses a key, the thin client sends the signal across the network to the central computer room. The centralised computer runs all programs and sends the screen picture back across the network to the thin client which displays it to the user.
  
- == How Many Central Computers? ==
+ How Many Central Computers?
  
  It would be understandable at this point to have a mental picture of a central room full of computers, one for each desktop and wonder can this really make sense? This is where the real savings happen. When you have a full computer on every desk, you can't avoid having one for each person. However, suppose you could buy a single powerful computer which could run all the programs for a large number of people. It could consolidate a large number of individual PCs into one and could talk to many thin clients. This machine is called a "thin client server".
  
@@ -110, +110 @@

  
  Thin clients are also convenient for security. It is very difficult to secure large numbers of expensive computers scattered around a network. If your thin clients are of little value, you only have to secure the server room.
  
- == Thin Client Computer Requirements ==
+ Thin Client Computer Requirements
  
  The thin client computers themselves need to be of a very minimal standard. The minimum spec quoted for Skolelinux is around Pentium 1 133MHz with 24MB RAM. They mainly need to have a PXE or network bootable card (which costs about Eur20). They need no hard drive at all.
  
- You can therefore recycle old office computers, such as those typically donated to schools. These can't normally run up-to-date software but can be used as thin clients. Pessimistically, if you needed to spend Eur40 on each thin client and Eur4000 on a thin client server, the total hardware cost of 50 thin clients would be Eur6000 -- that is, Eur120 per computer. So thin clients are very economic too.
+ You can therefore recycle old office computers, such as those typically donated to schools. These can't normally run up-to-date software but can be used as thin clients. Pessimistically, if you needed to spend Eur40 on each thin client and Eur4000 on a thin client server, the total hardware cost of 50 thin clients would be Eur6000 -- that is, Eur120 per computer. So thin clients are very economic too. Summary
- Summary
  
  So, the idea of thin clients is that you can place a mouse, keyboard and and monitor at desks all over your network and let users login and work at a central computer. To facilitate this, you place a very small "thin client" computer on each user's desk. This acts as a sort of adaptor between the network and the mouse, keyboard and monitor.
  
- == Limitations of Thin Clients ==
+ Limitations of Thin Clients
  
  A little healthy scepticism should be injected at this point. Surely there must be some catch here. Can this really work as well as a normal desktop? The truth is that thin clients have certain limitations and these should be understood so as not to expect too much and be disappointed.
  
  Floppys, USB disks, cameras, etc.
+ 
-     If you think about thin clients in terms of the "very long cables" model, if you wanted to access a floppy/usb drive, you would need to insert the disk into the computer way back in the server. This is effectively the case. So, even if you do see a floppy drive in the thin client, you probably cannot use it in practice.
+ If you think about thin clients in terms of the "very long cables" model, if you wanted to access a floppy/usb drive, you would need to insert the disk into the computer way back in the server. This is effectively the case. So, even if you do see a floppy drive in the thin client, you probably cannot use it in practice.
  Sound
+ 
-     Just like the monitor, keyboard and mouse signal, it is possible to send the sound card signal (to your speakers) across the network. However, this is very costly in terms of network usage so it is not usually recommended for large scale deployment.
+ Just like the monitor, keyboard and mouse signal, it is possible to send the sound card signal (to your speakers) across the network. However, this is very costly in terms of network usage so it is not usually recommended for large scale deployment.
  Video
+ 
-     In normal operation, most computer screens change quite infrequently (partially, every second or two) so sending the picture across the network is no problem. If you wish to play a full screen video, the entire screen must be refreshed many times per second. Like sound, this is too costly in network bandwidth and really just doesn't work, so video playback on thin clients is not practical.
+ In normal operation, most computer screens change quite infrequently (partially, every second or two) so sending the picture across the network is no problem. If you wish to play a full screen video, the entire screen must be refreshed many times per second. Like sound, this is too costly in network bandwidth and really just doesn't work, so video playback on thin clients is not practical.
  Network
-     Thin clients use considerably more network capacity than ordinary desktops. It is estimated that each thin client should use an average of around 2-3MBit/sec. On an ordinary (100MBit/sec) network, you cannot indefinitely add more thin clients. Skolelinux deals with this by creating a separate private network for each thin client server and its thin clients. This prevents thin clients from jamming up the network.
  
+ Thin clients use considerably more network capacity than ordinary desktops. It is estimated that each thin client should use an average of around 2-3MBit/sec. On an ordinary (100MBit/sec) network, you cannot indefinitely add more thin clients. Skolelinux deals with this by creating a separate private network for each thin client server and its thin clients. This prevents thin clients from jamming up the network.
  For those who need heavy multimedia applications, dedicated desktop computers (running Linux, Windows, OS X or whatever) are usually needed. The USB/floppy issue is usually best approached by using the network. The user goes to a dedicated desktop to transfer files onto the network and then can access them (read and write) on the thin clients. Alternatively, they can email the files to themselves and access their email from the thin clients. Once they have the files, working from the thin client works fine of course.
  
- == Epilogue ==
+ Epilogue
  
- Thin clients provide a very cost-effective and time-effective way of providing core desktop computing applications (Email, Web, Office Applications, Instant Messaging, ...) across large networks. They have their limitations particularly in the area of multimedia work and are therefore be used in combination with traditional locally installed desktops.
+ Thin clients provide a very cost-effective and time-effective way of providing core desktop computing applications (Email, Web, Office Applications, Instant Messaging, ...) across large networks. They have their limitations particularly in the area of multimedia work and are therefore be used in combination with traditional locally installed desktops. Further Reading
- Further Reading
  
-     * http://developer.skolelinux.no/arkitektur/arkitektur.html.en
+ http://developer.skolelinux.no/arkitektur/arkitektur.html.en
-     * http://www.skolelinux.org/portal/documentation/howtos/network_booting/
+ http://www.skolelinux.org/portal/documentation/howtos/network_booting/