[K12OSN] thin client laptops/Asus EEE

[Doug Simpson]

There is not direct provision for wireless terminals. Not to say that it can't be done, but you will likely have to do some phernagling and do a base X install on the laptops and get the wireless working then do the X -query thing to get the server's X up.

Then the next thing that will happen to you is bandwidth.one or two will work usably well, but many more than that and the wireless will simply get bogged down to the point of unusability.

It might be better to do full installs to the laptops, set up ldap and set home directories on the server. This way, the bulk of the work is done on the computer itself and the only traffic across wireless links will be student's data and Internet traffic.

On a side note, I'm betting that the cost of doing 24 or 30 laptops on carts is likely going to be as much or more than desktops in a permanent lab. And, likely, unless you pay extra for the type of charging system that limits the draw on the wall outet (charges a bit slower, but don't load the outlet as bad) you will likely have to upgrade the circuits into the room(s) where the carts will be. We have 12LT/cart and in some of our rooms, you can only plug in one cart at a time if the LTs are drawn down much at all or it throws the breaker.Our carts use the LTs original charging systems. If you plug in one cart and plug the LTs is slowly, it won't toss the breaker, and then you can plug in the other cart and plug them in slowly and if they only have a class period of use on them, it may or may not toss the breaker.

Our building is pretty old so your's may have better wiring in it. . .

weigh the options before doing either. Both have theie srong and weak points. The portability of the LTs is great. We did 12LTs/cart so if we needed a few here and a few there, we could separate them. Each cart has it's own AP. and each set of LTs only connects to it's respective AP to kinda help with loading issues.

DS

Doug Simpson
Technology Specialist
De Queen Public Schools
De Queen, AR
simpsond at leopards.k12.ar.us
"Newer isn't always better!"


>>> "Will Hatch" <whatch at anwsu.org> 4/2/2008 11:13 AM >>>
Our school is at a juncture where we have to decide between upgrading the electrical system so it can handle a permanent computer lab, or go with laptops of some kind that run off of a cart.  The principle wants to go with the laptops because of cost.  I priced out a couple different models of Dell, that would run Windows XP, and would coexist with our Windows 2003 server.  But the cost is still more than we probably want to spend.  Wireless is a must.  

I set up a k12ltsp network a few years back with good success.  But I used desktop hardware and ethernet.  I am wondering how wireless works with k12ltsp, and if there is a recommended make/model of inexpensive laptop that will do the job.  Has anybody successfully set this up with the Asus EEE?  Thanks for any help/suggestions.

-Will

*********************************** 
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL: This communication, including attachments, is for the exclusive use of addressee and may contain proprietary, confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, copying, disclosure, dissemination or distribution is strictly prohibited. If you're not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by return email and delete this communication and destroy all copies. 
It is the policy of ANWSU not to discriminate on the basis or race, color, national origin, gender, disability, or gender orientation in its educational programs or activities, or in its employment policies as required by Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and by Vermont State Law. 

_______________________________________________
K12OSN mailing list
K12OSN at redhat.com 
https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn 
For more info see <http://www.k12os.org>