Server Terminals Generation I
From ATLASWARES
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Contents |
Linux Terminal (LTSP) Concepts
Terminal Services adds multiuser capabilities to a Windows(tm) Server. Linux is inherently multiuser, so LTSP adds the following capabilities to multiuser Linux.
- LTSP provides a separate private subnet for terminals
- LTSP adds PXE LAN booting for intelligent terminals
- LTSP terminals provide a full graphical environment using X-Windows
- LTSP terminal sessions are indistinguishable from server console sessions
Configuring LTSP
Use the ltspcfg program to rewrite the network hosts list and other configuration files. This will be necessary if the WARES Server is joined to a foreign network (a network other than 192.168.2.0).
- Either login as root, or use the command su - to switch to root permission in a terminal session.
- Start a terminal session by right-clicking the desktop and choosing Konsole.
- type ltspcfg <Enter> at a terminal session command prompt to run the configuration tool.
Customizing the LTSP Configuration File
The LTSP configuration file is found at /opt/ltsp/i386/etc/lts.conf. Edit this file with KEdit to specify global settings and change settings for individual terminals by MAC address or IP address. A sample configuration file is listed following:
[Default]
SERVER = 192.168.2.1
XSERVER = auto
X_MOUSE_PROTOCOL = "PS/2"
X_MOUSE_DEVICE = "/dev/psaux"
X_MOUSE_RESOLUTION = 400
X_MOUSE_BUTTONS = 3
USE_XFS = N
SCREEN_01 = startx
SCREEN_02 = startx
LOCAL_STORAGE = Y
SOUND = Y
SOUND_DAEMON = esd
VOLUME = 100
HOTPLUG = Y
# Note: Using NeTier NetXpress XL1000, Maximum Vertical Refresh (X_VERTREFRESH) is 60
# Settings for Tyris 17" Flat Panel
[Tyris]
X_HORZSYNC = "30-80"
X_VERTREFRESH = "55-60"
X_MODE_0 = 1280x1024
# Settings for a LG 17" Flat Panel
[LG]
X_HORZSYNC = "40-83"
X_VERTREFRESH = "55-60"
X_MODE_0 = 1280x1024
# Gerald's NeTier NetXpress XL1000 Terminal
[00:60:ef:21:3a:5d]
LIKE = "LG"
SCREEN_03 = telnet 192.168.2.1
# Michael's NeTier NetXpress XL1000 Terminal
[00:60:ef:21:64:f3]
LIKE = "Tyris"
SCREEN_03 = telnet 192.168.2.1
# Lorraine's NeTier NetXpress XL1000 Terminal
[00:60:ef:21:57:20]
LIKE = "Tyris"
Notice that each custom terminal configuration specifies the MAC address for the terminal. Also, the various video monitor settings of workstations are defined in display sections, and then assigned to users with the LIKE expressions. Each workstation is defined for two screen sessions in the DEFAULT section, while Michael and Gerald have additional Telnet screens. Refer to the /opt/ltsp/i386/etc/lts.conf.readme file for more detailed explanations of LTSP configurations.
Using Terminal Server Client for Windows(tm) Sessions
Linux terminals use RDesktop to display the desktops of Windows XP(tm) machines or Terminal Services sessions. For example, a set of Windows(tm) laptops can be stacked up to provide sessions to desktop terminals.
On the Windows(tm) machine, perform the following setup:
- Turn off BIOS power management sleep options
- Goto START + Control Panel + Power Options. Set Power Schemes to Always On.
- Check all settings so that no sleep mode occurs. (Screen savers are OK, so the local display of a laptop will not burn in.)
- Goto START + Control Panel + System, choose the Remote tab.
- Under Remote Desktop, check the box for Allow users to connect remotely to this computer.
- Press the Select Remote Users... to add user names for remote connection.
- Goto START + Control Panel + Network Connections'. Right-click the Local area Connection icon, and choose Properties.
- Double-Click the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) connection item. Select Use the following IP address, and set a static IP address for the Windows(tm) workstation if one is not already set.
On the Linux terminal,
- Using Gnome, goto Applications + Internet + Terminal Server Client, or using KDE, goto F + Internet + Terminal Server Client. Enter the following:
- Computer: 192.168.2.nnn (the IP address of the Windows(tm) workstation)
- Protocol: RDP
- Username: Gerald (your username on the Windows(tm) workstation)
- Password: nnnxxxnn (your password on the Windows(tm) workstation)
- Set any other options as required or preferred.
- Click Connect. The Windows(tm) desktop will display.
Creating a Start Icon for RDesktop
An alternative way to use the Terminal Services Client is to create a desktop shortcut directly to the desired Windows(tm) session. To create a launcher shortcut for RDesktop, right-click the Gnome desktop and choose Create Launcher.... Enter the following:
Name: Mary's Windows Generic name: RDesktop Comment: Desktop of Mary's Windows(tm) Box Command: rdesktop -u mary -p 1!tt1e1amb 192.168.2.99
You may add some or all of the following switches before the ip address.
-a 16 16-bit color -x b m=modem (no themes), b=broadband, (no wallpaper), l=LAN (full dragging) -f full-screen mode -g 1024x768 screen geometry -E disable encryption of data stream -N synchronize numlock state
In the KDE sessions, right-clicking a launcher allows it to be opened in the editor, where properties can be manipulated directly. A typical launcher for RDesktop might look like
[Desktop Entry] Comment=Desktop of Mary's Windows(tm) Box Comment[en_US]=Desktop of Mary's Windows(tm) Box Encoding=UTF-8 Exec=rdesktop -u mary -p 1!tt1e1amb 192.168.2.99 -a 16 -x l -f -E -N GenericName=RDesktop GenericName[en_US]=RDesktop Icon=Tsclient MimeType= Name=Mary's Windows Name[en_US]=Mary's Windows Path= StartupNotify=true Terminal=false TerminalOptions= Type=Apoplication X-DCOP-ServiceType= X-KDE-SubstituteUID=false X-KDE-Username=
To see additional documentation for RDesktop options, type man rdesktop or info rdesktop at a terminal session.
Identifying a Terminal MAC Address
Connect a terminal to the local subnet, turn the terminal power on, and observe the boot sequence. A series of lines will display similar to the following:
trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/01-00-60-ef-21-3a-5d trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/C0A802B2 trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/C0A802B trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/C0A802 trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/C0A80 trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/C0A8 trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/C0A trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/C0 trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/C
Write down the information following the slash (/) on the top line. Omitting the "01-" and substituting colons (:) for dashes (-), this is the MAC address of the terminal.
