Linux Thin Client Networks Design and Deployment Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• Preface

• Chapter 1: Overview of Thin Clients
• Theory of Design
• Where It Runs
• Don't Lose Your Memory
• Better Multi-Tasking than a Personal Computer
• Common Misconceptions
• Features Gained in the Thin Design
• Summary

• Chapter 2: The Types of Thin Clients
• Proprietary Operating Systems
• Windows Embedded Devices
• Linux Devices
• Wireless Devices
• Handheld Devices
• Summary

• Chapter 3: An Analysis of Costs
• Anticipated Costs
• Reuse of Current Personal Computers
• Possible Reductions in Server Counts
• Thin Client versus Client/Server Anticipated Costs
• Project Staffing Size and Changes
• Other Cost Savings to Consider
• Summary

• Chapter 4: The People Issues
• Executive and Management Issues
• Initial Project Meeting
• Implementation Schedule
• Deployment
• User Community Issues
• Initial Feedback
• Communication
• Desktop Training
• Application Training
• Desktop Bling
• Issue Tracking Software
• Open Source CDs
• Summary

• Chapter 5: Considering the Network
• Primary Network
• Personal Computers versus Thin Clients
• Network Design
• Remote Sites
• Thin Client Network Connections
• Testing the Network
• Summary

• Chapter 6: Implementing the Server
• Planning and Designing the Server
• Up to Fifty Concurrent Users
• Fifty to One Hundred Concurrent Users
• Over One Hundred Concurrent Users
• Customizing for Your Own Deployment
• Building the Server
• Tips on Installing the Operating System
• Enabling XDMCP
• Creating a Custom Login Screen
• Creating a Custom Splash Page
• Enable Login Screen and XDMCP with gdmsetup
• Authentication Methods
• Providing the Desktop
• Using the Main Menu
• Creating Custom Program Icons
• Writing Custom Graphical Dialogs
• Adding Custom Scripts before GNOME Starts
• Enabling 3D Desktop Support
• NFS Mounts and Shared Directories
• Integrating Bandwidth Management for Remote Users
• Summary

• Chapter 7: Implementing the User Software
• Running Software from a Remote Server
• Planning which User Software to Deploy
• Browser
• Firefox
• Electronic Mail
• Evolution
• Mail Notification
• Office Suite
• OpenOffice.org
• Tomboy
• Planner
• Instant Messaging
• Pidgin
• File Processing
• Beagle
• Picture Processing
• GIMP
• F-Spot
• Audio and Video Processing
• Xine
• Real Player
• Databases
• MySQL
• PostgreSQL
• Software Development
• Mono
• Connection to Legacy UNIX Servers
• gnome-terminal
• xterm
• Connection to Legacy IBM Mainframes
• Connection to Microsoft Windows Applications
• Summary

• Chapter 8: Implementing the Thin Clients
• Choosing the Right Thin Client
• Money
• Projected Duty Cycle
• Requirements
• In-House Expertise
• Vendor Stability
• Turn-Key versus Customized Solutions
• Turn-Key Solution
• Customized Solution
• Starting the Appropriate Connection Method
• XDMCP
• Citrix Metaframe Client
• Creating a Chooser for Multiple Connection Methods
• Personal Computer Hardware Devices
• Printers
• Scanners
• Custom Mice or Keyboards
• Other Desktop Hardware
• Enabling Remote Sound
• NAS—Network Audio System
• ESD—Esound
• Pulse Audio
• Allowing the Server to Gain Access to USB Devices
• Summary

• Chapter 9: Support
• Supporting the Users
• Training
• Using VNC to Remotely Control Sessions
• Screendumps for Analysis
• Custom Help System
• Support within Your IT Staff
• Creating the Support Group
• Training
• Logging All Calls
• Vendor and Open-Source Support
• Selecting Vendor Support Level
• Interacting with the Vendor
• Getting Involved with the Open Source Community
• Summary

• Appendix A: Resources

• Appendix B: Installing OpenSUSE 10.2
• Packt Open Source Project Royalties
• Writing for Packt
• About Packt Publishing
Back to BOOK PAGE