Workstations?

[ben_elliott]

Ok, this might get confusing, I get confused explaining it lol.

So what I want to do is set up on computer that has all of the apps, programs, and files on it, and then set up other computers that will log on to the first computer. Each workstation will have a different profile on the server, and will be limited as to what they can do.

So, if you understand what I am asking than can you tell me,
1. is it possible
2. how hard would it be to set up
3. how to set it up or where to learn
4. if i should try a different distro

thanks,
belliott

[mchuskie]

Re: Workstations?

1. Yes. I haven't really gone down that road myself, but it's definitely possible.

2. Best case: installing the right packages and tinkering until you're happy. Worst case... it might not work as you want it to.

3. Depends what you mean by "log on to the first computer"...

Shell prompt is easy, install openssh-server on the main machine and openssh-client on the others. This will give you a shell prompt just like the ones on TTY1-6.

Depending on how much is set up on the clients, easy too is GUI-based programs, if they have their own GUI installed and know the name of the command. Logging into the host with ssh -Y user@host will forward X to the client - the graphical app will appear on the client and be running on the server.

Full graphical desktop environment, I'd look at one of the plethora of VNC client/server options in the repositories.

The ways I've suggested all need a login first to the client (which could just be a minimal graphical install) and from there on to the server. If what you're after is a thin-client (or dumb-terminal) type system, I wouldn't quite know what to suggest although a quick Google points to http://www.2x.com/pxes/ as looking promising for that sort of setup.

[ben_elliott]

Re: Workstations?

Humm, ok im going to try to explain again

ComputerA is going to set up with all of the programs, os, files etc...

ComputerB is (through network) going to simply boot from computerA, using all of the programs, os, files etc...

ComputerC-Z (or how ever many) are all going to do the same as ComputerB, boot from ComputerA

Does that make sense?

belliott


-EDIT-

Actually I have been looking more and more into this 2x thin client, I think that that might work for me. Thanks

[ben_elliott]

Re: Workstations?

Humm, Im not sure if this is what I am looking for, I can only get it to do a live play, there is no installation...

[foof]

Re: Workstations?

Haven't tried it myself, but this might be what you want?
http://www.2x.com/pxes/

[mchuskie]

Re: Workstations?

Haven't tried it myself, but this might be what you want?
http://www.2x.com/pxes/

Read up!

@ben_elliot: Have you tried reading through the "quickstart" guide at http://www.2x.com/pxes/howtos/PXES_PREBUILT_Images.pdf (though admittedly it's the longest and most complicated quickstart I've ever seen!!) If I understand it, you start out with a prebuilt image (booting from CD) and through that, configure everything to install it on a permanent basis.