[KLUG Members] Thin clients over an internet connection

[Bruce Smith]

> I was reading the Linux Terminal Server Project page, 
> http://www.ltsp.org/documentation/index.php , that Glenn Jacobson discussed 
> in his presentation.
> 
> The project is to create systems of thin clients connected to a server, where 
> a thin client is a motherboard, RAM, video card, network card, boot CD and 
> player (or network card eprom), monitor and keyboard.  All the actual 
> applications are run on the server.
> 
> Does anyone know if this could work over an internet connection?  


Possibly, but not safely over a public network.  Security is a major concern.

> Substituting the network card for a modem or some type of internet connection 
> device.


The modem would present more problems, but it wouldn't be usable at dialup
speeds.  Try running an X application over SSH on a dialup line.  LTSP would
be many times worse.

> It seems that the components for the thin client are all solid 
> state and could be put onto one card and encased into an unbreakable media, 
> and maybe mounted underneath a keyboard.  So you connect your keyboard device 
> to the internet connection cable, and to the monitor, connect to the server 
> and you have a "desktop machine".



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Bruce Smith                bruce@armintl.com
System Administrator / Network Administrator
Armstrong International, Inc.
Three Rivers, Michigan  49093  USA
http://www.armstrong-intl.com/
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