LINUX TERMINAL SERVER PROJECT (LTSP)

REPORT

The Project

A demonstration seminar on the use of Linux Terminal Server Project was conducted by Lankanet (Gte) Limited on 09 May 2006 at the Rural Development Training and Research Institute. The activity was funded by CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) of U.K.

The participants were from Member Organizations of Lankanet and CAFOD partners in Sri Lanka and a few well wishers.

Lecture

Tharaka Weerasekera, System Administrator Lankanet, at the outset, gave a brief introduction to Linux Terminal Server Project and went on to give a detail description of the advantages of LTSP and the Linux Operating System. Some of his important observations were

LTSP is an Open Source operating system that creates a stable, easy to administer lab environment. All process run on the server – the workstations are “thin” having no software installed or hard drives plugged in. Other important features of LTSP are that all processing takes place on the server and thus only one system to maintain. It requires much reduced power and generates low heat. There is no necessity to upgrade workstations. These servers maximize performance of older hardware. No viruses or spyware and licensing costs. The workstation just display windows since the applications run on the server. Above all it is Free and Open Source.

Linux is a UNIX like Operating System, created from scratch by developers around the world. There are several advantages of using the Linux operating system. Linux can give you a modern, very stable, multi-user, multitasking environment on your inexpensive PC hardware, at no monetary cost for the software. It is a rich and powerful platform. Out-of-box Linux has as much capability as MS Windows NT, is more stable, and requires less powerful hardware for comparable tasks. Linux is most popular on Intel-based PCs, but it runs very well on numerous other hardware platforms

Participants Response

At the end of the lecture the participants raised several issues. Since most of them were exposed to the Microsoft operating system they wanted to know whether the Linux operating system could be learnt and mastered within a short period in order for them to benefit from the Linux Terminal Server Project. Another important question was whether, besides word processing (Open office), there were packages in Linux equivalent MS Access, MS excel, MS power point, MS outlook, Adobe Page maker, Adobe Photoshop, etc. The other important questions raised were:

1. Is it possible to access MS Office file using Open Office Software?

2. Can an Open Office document be converted in to a MS office document and vice versa?

3. How much Hard Disc space is needed to install Linux Package?

4. How do I create PDF file?

5. Can I use my pen drive?

6. Is there a software package in the Linux Operating system to browse Internet?

Practical Demonstration

A practical demonstration followed. For this purpose a Linux Terminal Server with 09 Client Terminals was set up and the participants were given an opportunity to work on Linux Operating System and Open Source Software which they found it easy to work with. They were introduced to various open source software and were surprised to learn that Linux Operating system and open source software were capable of meeting their requirements Through the practical demonstration all the questions raised were answered to the satisfaction of the participants..

Follow up Activities

A series of workshops will be held at Lankanet office on the usage of Linux Operating System and Open Source Software.