Setting up Edubuntu server and thin clients - help needed

[Kai Wüstermann]

Moin Craig!


Am Sonntag, den 28.10.2007, 11:21 +1000 schrieb cra1g at foroz.com:

> http://www.edubuntu.org/GettingStarted

I think that's enough to get the server run...

> 
> -- Background
> ------------------------
> I have an existing network connected to a router for ADSL (broadband). I 
> use Ubuntu 7.10, my partner uses Windows 2000, we have an old computer 
> as a file server (677mhz, 128 ram) (for central file storage) I would 
> like to replace the existing old file storage server with an Edubuntu 
> server - which will act as a central file (storage) server  and also be 
> the server for the thin clients and also be a  desktop computer.
> 
> Existing equipment - router/hub is Dlink dsl-504, I understand that it 
> allocates dhcp ip addresses and it's is set as the gateway 192.168.0.1. 
> I also have a another 10/100 hub.

If you use the server with two network cards and the hub Edubuntu should
run out of the box.

If you build a home-network I think it's enough to have one networkcard
and one router. Then you have a little bit more of configuration with
dhcp.

I will explain the setup for two network cards.

> -- Specifications - proposed Edubuntu
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>  > Server - P2.8mhz (dual processor) Intel -  1Gb ram - 32mb APG video - 
> 2 network (1 onboard and 1card) - CDRW - no floppy - 60GB HD (I 
> recognise this is too small, but it should let me get the system up and 
> running/tested.

If you only use two clients, it seems to be enough.

>  > Thin Clients - 2x 677mhz  - 128 ram - network card (not on the mother 
> board, they are cards) - hard disk - CDRW - floppy

> -- Help needed
> ------------------------
>  From what I have read of the above guides I am confused!
>  > How do I set up the sever, do I just load Edubuntu 7.10, will it do 
> all the server setup for the thin clients?

You should use the Edubuntu 7.10 Classroom Server CD.

>  > How do I set up the network cables to the two different network cards?

Dlink router -> 1. card of server

2.card of server -> 10/100 hub -> clients

Look at http://www.edubuntu.org/images/ltsp_inet.png . That's the right
setup.

>  > Do I need to set any ip addresses?

As Edubuntu uses 192.168.0.1 for the internal network (2. card of
server) you must reconfigure your dsl-router to another network like
192.168.1.x before you begin to install edubuntu.

The Edubuntu setup looks for a dhcp server to get Internet access at
first!

I am not sure what the setup will do if it gets a adresse 192.168.0.x
from your router.

>  > What do I need to do for the server to recognise the thin clients? 

The server should run out of the box, so you don't need to do anything.

The thin client must boot from network by PXE2.x. If the clients have a
option "network boot" try this. 

If they don't start you can build a boot diskette from
http://rom-o-matic.net This is a little bit complicate for beginners so
ask again if you can't manage this.

To test the server you can invite someone with a laptop with a build in
LAN plug. This should have PXE 2.0.

> (should I be using a cross over cable from the router to the sever?)

I don't think so.

>  > How can I get the clients to boot off/from the server

PXE 2.x (see above)

>  > Do I need to create user accounts on the Server for the thin client 
> logins?

Yes! You need user accounts on the server not on the thin clients.

>  > I'm sure that there are other issues that I have not yet thought 
> of... that some one who has set this up can identity

If you want to use the server as file server for Windows you need to
setup samba (smb). This is quite easy but I only have a German Ubuntu
here. I will try to translate the german words.

Klick:
System -> system management (Systemverwaltung) -> shared folders
(Gemeinsame Ordner) 

The Edubuntu wants to install the services. Klick yes. Then you can
share the folder you want to.


If you want to use Internet from a stand alone workstation you must
setup routing but this is not trivial. I can't find a graphical user
interface for the setup.

Then I think it's easier to use only one network card on the server and
plug the clients to the router. But the setup is a little bit different.

> Does anyone know of a set of instructions that would meet my needs on 
> how to setup the server, what settings need to be made for the thin 
> clients to boot from the server and how to setup the thin clients.

If your clients don't work out of the box ask again.

I hope you get it run...

Kai Wüstermann