K12Linux.org

[ K12LTSP.org | Downloads | Installation | Configuring Server | Configuring Clients | FAQs & More... ]
Welcome to the K12 Linux
Terminal Server Project!

K12LTSP is based on RedHat Linux and the LTSP terminal server packages. It's easy to install and configure. It's distributed under the GNU General Public License . That means it's free and it's based on Open Source software.

Once installed K12LTSP lets you boot diskless workstations from an applications server. You can use old PC's as diskless clients or buy new ones for under $200 each.

All applications run on the terminal server. Workstations are "thin." They have no software or hard drives. Thin-clients are perfect for schools because they are easy to install and require little maintenance. They are reliable and imune to malicious tampering and viruses.
 Quick Links:
LTSP Diagram
Overview of a K12LTSP Open Source Lab:
A default K12LTSP installation uses two ethernet cards; eth0 and eth1. One card connects the server to your school network. The other card creates a private network for terminals (thin-clients). Your server and eth1 act as a gateway for the terminals to the Internet and the rest of your network. eth1 is configured to get its ip address via DHCP. A private DHCP server runs on eth0 to give IP numbers to terminals. This configuration is flexible in that you can easily have multiple LTSP servers in your building all sharing the same default configuration. Servers are "plug and play" with little or no configuration required. It only takes about 20 minutes to be up and running.

K12LTSP is based on Red Hat 7.2 with a full set of familar GUI tools for configuring your server. You have the choice of KDE or GNOME desktops and many applications.


Software Included in the K12LTSP/K12Linux Distribution:
Gnome Desktop
Gnome Desktop
KDE Desktop KDE Desktop
OpenOffice
We've included a host of useful applications that will make you productive right away.
  • Nautilus file manager
  • Mozilla browser with Java(tm) and Flash (tm) support
  • Ximian Evolution E-Mail, calendar and contact manager
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • OpenOffice
  • K-Office
  • Gimp
  • AbiWord
  • Auto configuration for many PCI based sound cards
  • Auto configuration for both PXE and BOOTP clients
  • File sharing for both Windows and Macintosh networks
  • Much more...
Tested and suggested (non-open source) additions:
Win2k desktop
rdesktop running Windows2000 Terminal Services Session

We've included the rdesktop
package that provides access to Windows2000/NT4 terminal sessions with a simple click of an icon. This gives users a choice of operating systems as needed. Note that this option requires a seperate W2K/NT terminal server and licenses for clients.






since July 4, 2001