Key Problems to Solve

• Continuing cost increases of new hardware to keep pace with new software• Computer hardware problems• Computer software problems • Management of complex expensive licensing issues• Network access problems• Not enough working PCs in classrooms• Computer security issues• Maintenance issues• Training issues• Problems with printer, scanner, and other peripherals

So What is Thin Client?

• Thin Client in the simplest terms is based on the dumb terminal model from earlier computing days.

• The Thin client in our model is a hybrid of true diskless workstations and PCs converted to dumb terminals (we simply tell the PC to PXE boot, and it uses none of it’s local resources).

Why even bother with Thin Client?

• Zero software maintenance on Thin Clients (because all applications on server)• Thin Client solution uses Fedora core (Red Hat Linux) which comes with a free suite

of office applications• Red Hat specifically designed this version to be a full blown educational package• The application package known as Linux terminal Server Project (LTSPK12) supports

grades K – 12

Free…Free

• Finally, the Red Hat Fedora core application suite is free!• All the applications are open source which means you can use them for free• Even more importantly, you can make changes to the operating system as well as the

applications

Application to Older PCs

• Current PCs in your school (Win95/98, XP) PCs work fine as clients, and typically are net-bootable

• Donated PCs often not net-bootable, but can be with either boot floppy or installation of NIC

• With businesses ready to cycle their PCs every 3-5 years, there will be a steady supply of donated PCs, as many as we want

– Student Success through effective use of reliable classroom Technology– Accelerating and Sustaining Student Achievement?– More reliable computers readily available to enhance access to Technology– Provide a offering of free educational software applications– To create an open technology environment that encourages creativity and

nurtures academic growth

The Vision of Thin Client Computing