Linux Thin Client Terminals

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1. PXES Universal Linux Thin Client
   PXES is a micro Linux distribution for thin clients that converts any suitable machine into a versatile thin client within minutes. It can access XDM servers presenting a graphical login screen, Microsoft Terminal Servers, Citrix ICA, and VNC servers, NoMachine NX or FreeNX, LTSP, or a local X session with simple desktop and window manager. A graphical configuration tool allows parameters such as the server to be set. Local devices can be accessed, including sound, printers, and disks. It boots on a variety of hardware, and does not require NFS. 
                               
2. The Linux Thin Client Showcase
   This continually updated guide provides pointers to LinuxDevices.com's extensive coverage of Linux-based thin client devices and systems. Thin clients are minimalist systems, often without moving parts, designed to serve programs that run on remote Linux, Unix, or Windows servers. Thin clients typically use remote access networking protocols such as X (Linux/Unix), RDP (Microsoft), or ICA (Citrix). They are also sometimes called network computers or server-centric computing devices. 
                        
3. The Devon Ntavo NTA 6010A Linux thin-client
   Devon IT Inc. has embedded an "optimized" version of Red Hat Linux in a line of low-cost thin-client terminals ranging from the entry-level Ntavo NTA 6010A priced at $149, to the $599 NTA 6015L that boasts an integrated 15-inch, 1024x668 TFT LCD screen. The company has avoided the common practice of maximizing features and charging high prices, in favor of offering the most "cost-effective thin-client alternative to desktop PCs," it says.According to the company, the low-end 6010A is powered by a Via Eden 4000 433 MHz processor. It comes equipped with 64MB of socketed DIMM DRAM and 64MB of CompactFlash memory, 
                                 
4. The K12 Linux Terminal Server Project
   K12LTSP is based on RedHat Fedora Linux and the LTSP terminal server packages. It's easy to install and configure. It's distributed under the GNU General Public License . That means it's free and it's based on Open Source software.Once installed K12LTSP lets you boot diskless workstations from an applications server. You can use old PC's as diskless clients or buy new ones for under $200 each.All applications run on the terminal server. Workstations are "thin." They have no software or hard drives. Thin-clients are perfect for schools because they are easy to install and require little maintenance. They are reliable and immune to malicious tampering and viruses.
                             
5. About the Linux Terminal Server
   With a Linux Terminal Server and thin-clients, a business can remove many of the costs associated with maintenance, support, and licensing of countless desktop PCs. Thanks to the exceptional efforts of the Linux Terminal Server Project members, such a switch is neither dramatic, nor painful. This article summarizes how one small business made the switch quickly using the extensive effort that resulted in the creation of the K-12LTSP prepackaged release. This ready to use package comes preloaded with every program needed. Most importantly, it can be installed and used within 45 minutes and makes a terrific prototype server. Now any small business can try out the power of a Linux Terminal Server with nominal effort.
                          
6. Building X terminals with Linux
   In 2000 we abandoned per-seat workstations in favour of low-cost thin-client computers (xterminals) built from PCs about to be scrapped. They provide an environmentally friendly alternative to cluttering up landfill sites, use much less power and create less noise than the typical desktop PC and have proved to be a resounding success for the business. Our cost of ownership has gone through the floor, the xterminals require zero maintenance and allow us to switch and swap desks as we wish. It's hard to find a bad thing to say about them. They have been a pleasure and delight since we first started to use them. We are a demanding group of software developers and yet we think that in many ways they are an improvement rather than a retrograde step.
                      
7. The Teemtalk Host Access
   Neoware TeemTalk host access software is the most popular terminal emulation software in the thin client market. It provides the ability to connect and communicate with applications on mainframes and midrange systems including servers running proprietary OS’s, UNIX and Linux systems. These connections can be made from virtually any desktop running Microsoft Windows®, Linux or UNIX. Neoware understands that not everybody needs over 30 different emulators, so we have developed TeemTalk Light. TeemTalk Light provides the ability to purchase the one emulation you need, out of the 30 emulators that are available in Neoware TeemTalk’s professional edition. 
                         
8. Wyse's New Winterm Raises Thin-Client Bar
   Just as Citrix Systems leads the industry in thin-client software technology, Wyse Technologies dominates the Windows-based terminal (WBT) market. But if you expected Wyse to take a cautious approach to product introductions, tweaking what has worked in the past to maximize its profitability, you'd be wrong. Wyse is on the cutting edge of "thinnovation" with its Winterm 5355SE, a device that combines the features of a WBT with the flexibility of a desktop computer running the Linux OS. . Wyse has worked hard to hide this complexity, but it has more to do before these devices can move from pilot test to production. In particular, it has to deliver a centralized management system similar to its WyseWorks Remote Administrator for the Winterm 2000 series terminals.
                          
9. About the Thin client
   A thin client is a computer (client) in client-server architecture networks which has little or no application logic, so it has to depend primarily on the central server for processing activities. The word "thin" refers to the small boot image which such clients typically require - perhaps no more than required to connect to a network and start up a dedicated web browser or "Remote Desktop" connection such as X11, Citrix ICA or Microsoft RDP.A thin client may be a program or a device for the execution of thin-client application programs. Unfortunately, however, there is no precise definition (in quantifiable terms) for when the client program or device may be called a thin client or not.
                        
10. Abou the PIXIL Thin Client
    PIXIL Thin Client is a complete software solution available on Dell Optiplex™ PC hardware, allowing thin client access to applications running on Windows servers, UNIX/Linux, and IBM mainframe and midrange systems. Targeting rapidly growing needs in the thin client market, PIXIL delivers a flexible Linux-based architecture that leverages the benefits of server-based computing, provides Windows, IBM, and UNIX/Linux access, and offers powerful PC-like capabilities in a small footprint, low-resource thin client. 
                           
11. About the AX3000 Thin Client Terminal
    Designed and manufactured by AXEL, the AX3000 Thin Client Terminal provides direct TCP/IP connection to all popular multi-user operating systems: Unix/Linux, AS/400, S/390, Windows, etc. Both models offer concurrent connections to character applications and Windows/Linux GUI applications. In addition both terminals can operate in a TCP/IP Ethernet or RS232 serial environment.
                         
12. The Diskless Linux Thin Clients
    A diskless Linux workstation is very similar to a full Linux computer. All programs run directly on the workstation, not on a different computer somewhere else on the network. The workstation simply has no local hard drive. All files, including the operating system, are stored on our central file servers where the Computer Center can manage them for you. Because there's no hard drive, these systems are less expensive and more robust than normal PCs, but they still offer important features like a 1.8GHz Pentium 4 processor, 1GB of RAM, floppy and CDROM drives, USB and audio. These diskless workstations are no slouch in the software department, either. Each is fully integrated into the JLab CUE environment, so users have access to their central home directories, /apps, /work and /scratch. In short, for most normal uses these diskless machines are indistinguishable from full-blown Linux workstations. 
                                
13. The Tarantella RDP Client for Linux
    Tarantella, Inc. today announced that the Tarantella RDP Client for Linux, the first commercially supported RDP client written to Microsoft’s RDP specification by a Microsoft licensee, is shipping to thin client OEMs. Announced on July 29th, 2004 the Tarantella RDP Client for Linux will provide Linux thin client terminal vendors with standard RDP-based access to Microsoft Windows applications via Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services. In addition, the Tarantella RDP Client for Linux can also function as a client to the Tarantella Secure Global Desktop Terminal Services Edition software product. 
                            
14. The ET4500t Thin Client Terminal
    ET4500t - An adaptable, high-performance terminal includes cost-effective, easy-to-use and highly reliable, stable and secure Mandrake Linux embedded operating system with advanced and efficient hardware detection capabilities. RDP and Citrix ICA protocol provide access Windows applications when using Windows Terminal Services or Citrix. Multiple terminal emulations let the ET4500t access mainframe, midrange, UNIX, and other legacy applications. Also included is X Window System for graphical UNIX applications.
                                
15. Types of Terminals
    1.Dumb Terminals :- There are various conflicting definitions of "dumb terminal" but as time goes by, more and more terminals are called dumb. This document mainly covers text terminals which display only text on the screen. It could have been titled "Dumb-Terminal-HOWTO". But in some magazines articles, any terminal, no matter how smart, including ones which present a full graphical user interface (GUI), are called dumb. 
    2. Text Terminals :- For a text terminal, a 2-way flow of information between the computer and the terminal takes place over the cable that connects them together. This flow is in bytes (such as ASCII) where each byte usually represents a printable character. Bytes typed at the keyboard go to the computer and most bytes from the computer are displayed on the terminal screen. 
                          
16. Setting up a Linux Terminal Server
    This article summarizes how one small business made the switch quickly using the extensive effort that resulted in the creation of the K-12LTSP prepackaged release. This ready to use package comes preloaded with every program needed. Most importantly, it can be installed and used within 45 minutes and makes a terrific prototype server. Now any small business can try out the power of a Linux Terminal Server with nominal effort.
                         
17. Option Linux Virtual Thin Client
    OPTiON is a Virtual Thin Client solution for the Linux Workstation Desktop. Compatible with GNOME and KDE it provides a single application to connect to all major free and commercially available terminal server environments. All client sessions are centrally configured and managed. All configured client sessions are presented and executed from within a central launcher. OPTiON eliminates the need to purchase an additional terminal emulator suite. OPTiON puts an end to individually downloading, compiling, installing, configuring and administering available Thin Client modules. 
                            
18. The New ThinSTAR Thin Client Terminals
    The new terminals extend the current family of ThinSTAR offerings, and are NCD's first products based on the CE .NET and Linux platforms; offering customers an expanded range of options for accessing server-based applications from Microsoft Windows 2000 servers, Citrix MetaFrame, Linux and web servers. The ThinSTAR 532LX sets a new standard for thin client features and performance. The ThinSTAR 532LX is designed for dedicated application access for both Windows and legacy environments. The 532LX directly supports both Microsoft Terminal Services and Citrix MetaFrame environments, and can be configured to support Unix X Windows environments. The ThinSTAR is ruggedly packaged, and can be positioned either vertically or horizontally supporting a monitor. With its internal power supply and quiet fan-less design, customers will appreciate its universal flexibility in both design and functionality.
                          
19. The Thin Linux clients deliver Internet to library patrons
    The library is using Linux thin clients in a setup delivered by systems integrator Open-PC of Chelsea, Mass. The benefit of this arrangement is twofold: Not only did it allow the library to deliver much-needed Internet access to its patrons inexpensively; it also made librarians' lives easier. Library patrons were able to adapt to using OpenOffice, instead of Microsoft Office, very quickly. McNair said, "They sort of miss the templates" Microsoft Office provides for resumes and other documents. However, library staff has been able to create new templates for their patrons and save them in OpenOffice. And the system is still running fine. McNair and OpenPC's Paul Ballantine concur that both the staff and the patrons are happy using Linux. The library is working to iron out issues such as floppy disk access for its patrons. The library has also incorporated a separate Linux server box running Ret Hat 9.0 for their children's library Internet, using open source filtering software Squidguard and Dans Guardian, McNair said.
                      
20. The Sun Ray Thin Clients
    Sun Ray Server Software 3.0 also includes new bandwidth adaptation and management technology that's designed to make it easier for IT managers to support remote use of the thin clients. Because of reduced bandwidth needs, the devices can now be linked to back-office systems via Digital Subscriber Line or cable modem connections, said Sun, which also introduced a thin client with a 17-in. screen. Time Warner Cable is a large Sun Ray user, with about 750 of the terminals. Cesar Beltran, vice president of IT at the Time Warner Inc. division's data center facilities in New York, said he's interested in both of the major new features that Sun is adding to the Sun Ray server software.
                              
21. The TVI Terminals
    TeleVideo (TVI) is dedicated to developing high performance terminals that provide functionality and productivity for many years. TeleVideo designs, manufactures and markets a full range of character based Alpha Window, ASCII ANSI and PC Term video display terminals. Every TVI terminal features a high quality, high contrast, excellent resolution, low flicker and non-glare screen for use in a UNIX and mainframe computing environment. All TVI terminals are designed for POS, financial, healthcare, manufacturing and hospitality application. 
                           
22. The "Thin Client" method of computer networking
    This is not our technology. It is a well established technology by which old used or donated computers that the kids use (the clients) are used simply as a terminal to access the full computing power of a new and powerful server in the back room as though it were that server. The "clients", which are by far the greatest equipment purchase in a lab, can all be really old, used, previous-generation computers. This is because the demands on those machines is so slight that almost any machine will do. The minimum specs on the clients we like to have Pentium 1's, 75Mhz or better, 32meg RAM, and no hard drive (Yes, that's NO hard drive - there goes most of your maintenance problems), but it works well with 486s' also (we have a 486 right next to an 800Mhz P3 in the same lab here in Eshowe, and the computing experience is identical). 
                              
23. K-12 Linux Terminal Server Project
    Paul Nelson is Technology Director at Riverdale High School in Portland, OR and co-creator of the K-12 Linux Terminal Server Project. K-12 LTSP is a really cool way to take older machines and breathe new life into them by connecting them to a powerful server that takes over the bulk of the computing tasks. For standard Web browsing and Office-like applications, schools can save a bunch of money using thin clients vs. full PCs.Our podcast should be a pretty good introduction to Linux, open source, and thin client computing. We mention RedHat and Edubuntu, two Linux distributions of particular interest to schools, and the K-12 Linux in School Project which seeks to promote free and open source software in educational settings.
                        
                    

24. The Computer Lab and BOSaNOVA Bolster Thin Clients
    Now that IBM has decided to wind-down non TCP/IP networking and stop selling Twinax adapters for the iSeries, it might be time to bite the bullet and make the move to a TCP/IP and thin client infrastructure, if you haven't already done so. Luckily, there are many vendors providing Windows and Linux thin client terminals for the OS/400 community. Two of those vendors, BOSaNOVA and Computer Lab International, recently improved their thin client offerings.BOSaNOVA has also taken the opportunity to update other software components of the Windows-based thin clients, including a new pop-up blocker, support for DirectX 9, Windows Media Player 9, Acrobat version 7, and support for Bluetooth and VoIP drivers. 
                      

25. The PowerTerm WebConnect Server
    The PowerTerm WebConnect server runs as a native application on Linux. The PowerTerm WebConnect server can either function as a gateway server allowing connections from the clients to the host to be routed through the WebConnect server, or allow direct connections to the host without being routed. In both configurations, clients maintain a constant connection to the server in order to download configurations and scripts, and enable real-time administrative control. When working in direct (non-gateway) mode, clients can continue to function even if they lose their connection to the server, so there is no single point of failure.