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@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ DISKLESS NODES HOW-TO for Linux
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<htmlurl url="mailto:gero@gkminix.han.de"
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name="gero@gkminix.han.de">
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<date>v22.2, 20 Oct 2001
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<date>v22.3, 08 Nov 2001
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<abstract>
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This document describes how to set up a diskless Linux box.
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As technology is advancing rapidly, network-cards are becoming cheaper and much
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@ -63,14 +63,14 @@ local disk access which will make diskless nodes a viable
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alternative to workstations in local LAN. Also diskless nodes eliminates the
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cost of software upgrades and system administration costs like backup,
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recovery which will be centralized on the server side.
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Diskless nodes also enable "sharing/optimization" of centralised server CPU,
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Diskless nodes also enable "sharing/optimization" of centralized server CPU,
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memory, hard-disk, tape and cdrom resources. Diskless nodes
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provides mobility for the users i.e., users
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can log on from any one of diskless nodes and are not tied to one workstation.
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Diskless Linux box completely eliminates the need for local floppy disk,
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cdrom drive, tape drive and hard-disk. Diskless nodes JUST has a network card,
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8MB RAM, a low-end cpu and a very simple mother-board which does not have
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any interface sockets/slots for harddisks, modem, cdrom, floppy etc..
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any interface sockets/slots for hard-disks, modem, cdrom, floppy etc..
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With Diskless linux nodes you can run programs on remote Linux 64 CPU SMP box
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or even on Linux super-computer!
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Diskless nodes lowers the "Total Cost of Ownership" of the computer system.
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@ -94,11 +94,425 @@ mini-howto) to English.
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<chapt> What is this all about?
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-->
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<sect> What is this all about?
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<p>
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Diskless Linux Computers do not have any hard-disk, floppy drives and tape drives. They offer
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significant savings in "Total Cost of Ownership" by eliminating the maintenance costs.
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You can accomplish Diskless Linux Computer by one of the following two methods:
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<enum>
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<item> Boot directly a Live Linux CDROM. The Linux CDROM is live Linux system which
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contains all the applications and programs and loads the software into RAM disks.
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<p>
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<item> Recent linux kernels offer the possibility to boot a linux box entirely from network, by
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loading its kernel and root filesystem from a server. In that case, the client may use
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several ways to get the first instructions it has to execute when booting: home made
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eproms, special network cards implementing the RARP, BOOTP or DHCP protocols, cdroms, or
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bootloaders loaded from a boot floppy or a local hard drive.
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</enum>
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The simplest and most easy method to build a diskless linux is by using Live Linux CDROM.
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You simply download Live Linux CDROM and insert it into the CDROM drive and power-on and you are
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done! For details see the "Live Linux CDROM" chapter in this document.
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The other option is using a EPROM, but this will
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take extra work to be done on the client and the server box.
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If you want to go for EPROM method, I recommend you to
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simply buy Diskless Linux computers from the manufacturers as given later.
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<!--
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*******************************************
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************ End of Section ***************
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*******************************************
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<chapt> Advantages of Diskless Computer
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-->
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<sect> Advantages of Diskless Computer
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<p>
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Diskless linux computer will become <bf>immensely</bf> popular and will
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be the product of this century and in the next century.
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The diskless linux computers will be very successful because of the
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availability of very high-speed network cards at
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very low prices. Today 100 Megabit
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per second (12.5 MB per sec transfer rate) network cards are
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common and in about 1 to 2 years 1000 MBit (125 MB per sec transfer rate)
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network cards will become very cheap and will be the standard.
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In near future, Monitor manufacturers will place
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the CPU, NIC, RAM <bf>right inside</bf> the monitor to form
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a diskless computer!!
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This eliminates the diskless computer box and saves space. The monitor will
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have outlet for mouse, keyboard, network RJ45 and power supply.
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The following are benefits of using diskless computers -
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<itemize>
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<item> Diskless Linux computers can run BOTH MS Windows 95/NT and linux programs.
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<p>
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<item> Total cost of ownership is very low in case of Diskless computers.
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Total cost of ownership is cost of initial purchasing + cost of maintenance.
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The cost of maintenance is usually <bf>3 to 5 times</bf> the cost of
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initial computer purchase and this cost is recurring year after year.
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In case of Diskless computers, the cost of maintenance
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is <bf>completely eliminated</bf>!!
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<p>
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<item> All the backups are centralized at one single main server.
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<p>
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<item> More security of data as it is located at server.
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<p>
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<item> No need of UPS battery, air-conditioning, dust proof environment for
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diskless clients, only server needs UPS battery, A/C and dust proof environment.
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Only remote server inside the "Data Center" needs to have UPS, Redundant power supply,
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Portable Diesel Electric generator, A/C, Fire protection,
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Highly restricted access with locked and secure door to "Data Center".
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<p>
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<item> Noise is completely eliminated since diskless computer does not have
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Fan motor, and local hard-disk. Only server makes lots of noise but it is enclosed
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in a server room ("Data Center").
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<p>
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<item> Protection from Virus attack - Computer virus cannot attack diskless
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computers as they do not have any hard disk. Virus cannot do any damage to
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diskless computers. Only one single server box
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need to be protected against virus attack. This saves millions of dollars for
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the company by avoiding installation of vaccines and cleaning the hard disks!!
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<p>
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<item> Server can have large powerful/high performance hard disks, can optimize
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the usage of disk space via sharing by many diskless computer users.
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Fault tolerance of hard disk failure is possible by using RAID on main server.
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<p>
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<item> Server can have 64 bit CPU SMP box having many CPUs or even
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linux super-computers. CPU power can be shared by many diskless computer users
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<p>
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<item> Sharing of central server RAM memory by many diskless computer users.
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For example, if many users are using a web browser then in the server RAM there will
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be only one copy of web browser in the RAM. In case Windows 95 PCs, many
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users need to have individual copy of web browser
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in local RAM and hence there is wastage of RAM space.
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<p>
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<item> Diskless computers are extremely fast because program loading time is
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completely eliminated. For example, if the server loads the StarOffice suite
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into memory due to request from one diskless user then if another diskless user wants to
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use the StarOffice suite then loading time is avoided since StarOffice is
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already loaded into memory.
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<p>
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<item> Diskless linux computers can run programs on multiple servers using the
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"xhost" and DISPLAY environment.
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<p>
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<item> Very few system administrators required to maintain central server unlike
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Windows 95 PC clients which need many administrators.
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<p>
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<item> Zero administration at diskless client side. Diskless computers
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are absolutely maintenance free and troublefree.
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<p>
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<item> Long life of diskless clients - more than <bf>300 years</bf> without any
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hardware or software upgrades.
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<p>
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<item> Eliminates install/upgrade of hardware, software on diskless client side.
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<p>
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<item> Eliminates cost of cdrom, floppy, tape drive, modem, UPS battery, Printer
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parallel ports, serial ports etc..
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<p>
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<item> Prevents pilferage of hardware components as diskless node has very little
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RAM and low-cost CPU. The server has lots of memory and many powerful CPUs.
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<p>
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<item> Can operate in places like factory floor where a hard disk might be too fragile.
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</itemize>
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<!--
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*******************************************
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************ End of Section ***************
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*******************************************
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<chapt> Diskless with "Live Linux CDROM" <label id="livecdrom">
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-->
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<sect> Diskless with "Live Linux CDROM" <label id="livecdrom">
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<p>
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The "Live Linux CDROM" is a CDROM which has the entire Linux Operating System filesystem
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on the CDROM. It is made by copying the live Linux system on to CDROM. The "Live Linux CDROM"
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directly boots the Linux operating system from the CDROM drive.
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But you need to setup the BIOS to first boot from CDROM. Generally the boot order is :
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Floppy Drive, Hard disk, CDROM. You can enter BIOS setup, by powering on the computer and
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presssing the DEL key.
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Get the "Live Linux CDROM" from
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<itemize>
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<item> <url url="http://www.demolinux.org">
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<item> <url url="http://www.knopper.net/knoppix">
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<item> <url url="http://www.ocslink.com/~blunier">
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</itemize>
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Diskless workstation with "Live Linux CDROM" is becoming a reality because
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of the following reasons:
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<enum>
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<item> RAM prices are all time low and 512MB RAM costs only US$70.
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<item> CDROM drives are becoming extremely fast and current read speed is topping at 72X.
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<item> CDROM IDE drives are very cheap, CDROM with 52X read speed is costing only US$33.
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<item> DVD-ROM is also getting very cheap and can carry 5 Gigabyte of Linux software and
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is three times faster than CDROM drive.
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</enum>
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A big advantage of Live Linux CDROM over other methods of diskless operations like
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EEPROM is that it is very easy to setup and you can very easily upgrade the Linux CDROM
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with new versions of the Linux kernel every three months. Simply throw away the old Live
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Linux CDROM and pop-in the new version Live Linux CDROM. Upgrade is just 20 seconds and
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the cost of Linux CDROM is 30 cents (less than a US dollar!).
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In near future, Live Linux CDROM + DVD-ROM will rule the computer desktops.
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With Live Linux CDROM, you do not need a hard-disk, floppy drives and others. All you need to
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build a diskless workstation is :
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<enum>
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<item> Live Linux CDROM
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<item> CPU
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<item> Mother board
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<item> NIC (Network Interface Card)
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<item> CDROM drive (IDE or SCSI)
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<item> RAM (32 MB minimum for full graphics and 16 MB minimum for console mode)
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</enum>
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For best prices on RAM and CDROM IDE drives check
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auctions in online stores like
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Egghead <url url="http://www.egghead.com"> or local stores in your city like
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<url name="UBM, Houston" url ="http://www.ubm.com">.
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After you boot "Live Linux CDROM", you can mount the hard disk partitions from remote
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Linux servers. And you can use
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<url name="VNC" url="http://www.uk.research.att.com/vnc">
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to access MS Windows 2000 and Linux servers.
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To evaluate the CDROM/DVD drives use the following software from
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<url url="http://www.cdspeed2000.com">. This site also gives the speed comparison of
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drives from different vendors. The top speed CDROM drive is from Kenwood at
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<url url="http://www.kenwoodtech.com"> at 72x speed.
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<!--
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*******************************************
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************ End of Section ***************
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*******************************************
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-->
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<sect1> Build a Live Linux CDROM
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<p>
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You can build your own Live Linux CDROM and customize the kernel, hardware support, loadable
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module support etc.
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This section was originally written by Hans de Goede
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<htmlurl url="mailto:
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j.w.r.degoede@et.tudelft.nl
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" name="
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j.w.r.degoede@et.tudelft.nl
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">
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for the Diskless-root-NFS-HOWTO. I modified it slightly in order to reflect some differences
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between this document and the Diskless-root-NFS-HOWTO.
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Much of the above also goes for booting from cdrom. Why would one want to boot a machine
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from cdrom? Booting from cdrom is interesting everywhere one wants to run a very specific
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application, like a kiosk, a library database program or an internet cafe, and one
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doesn't have a network or a server to use a root over nfs setup.
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Creating a test setup
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Now that we know what we want to do and how, it's time to create a test setup:
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<itemize>
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<item> For starters just take one of the machines which you want to use and put in a big
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disk and a cd burner.
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<item> Install your linux of choice on this machine, and leave a 650 MB partition free for
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the test setup. This install will be used to make the iso image and to burn the cd's
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from, so install the necessary tools. It will also be used to restore any booboo's
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which leave the test setup unbootable.
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<item> On the 650 mb partition install your linux of choice with the setup you want to have
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on the cd, this will be the test setup.
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<item> Boot the test setup.
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<item> Compile a kernel with isofs and cdrom support compiled in.
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<item> Configure the test setup as described above with the root filesystem mounted read
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only.
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<item> Verify that the test setup automagically boots and everything works.
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<item> Boot the main install and mount the 650 MB partition on /test of the main install.
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<item> Put the following in a file called /test/etc/rc.d/rc.iso, this file will be sourced
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at the beginning of rc.sysinit to create /var:
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<code>
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#/var
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echo Creating /var ...
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mke2fs -q -i 1024 /dev/ram1 16384
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mount /dev/ram1 /var -o defaults,rw
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cp -a /lib/var /
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</code>
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<item> Edit /test/etc/rc.sysinit, comment the lines where the root is remounted rw, and add
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the following 2 lines directly after setting the PATH:
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<code>
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#to boot from cdrom
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. /etc/rc.d/rc.iso
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</code>
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<item> Copy the following to a script and execute it to make a template for /var and create
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/tmp and /etc/mtab links.
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<code>
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#!/bin/sh
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echo tmp
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rm -fR /test/tmp
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ln -s var/tmp /test/tmp
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
###
|
|
|
|
|
echo mtab
|
|
|
|
|
touch /test/proc/mounts
|
|
|
|
|
rm /test/etc/mtab
|
|
|
|
|
ln -s /proc/mounts /test/etc/mtab
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
###
|
|
|
|
|
echo var
|
|
|
|
|
mv /test/var/lib /test/lib/var-lib
|
|
|
|
|
mv /test/var /test/lib
|
|
|
|
|
mkdir /test/var
|
|
|
|
|
ln -s /lib/var-lib /test/lib/var/lib
|
|
|
|
|
rm -fR /test/lib/var/catman
|
|
|
|
|
rm -fR /test/lib/var/log/httpd
|
|
|
|
|
rm -f /test/lib/var/log/samba/*
|
|
|
|
|
for i in `find /test/lib/var/log -type f`; do
|
|
|
|
|
cat /dev/null > $i;
|
|
|
|
|
done
|
|
|
|
|
rm `find /test/lib/var/lock -type f`
|
|
|
|
|
rm `find /test/lib/var/run -type f`
|
|
|
|
|
</code>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Remove the creation of /etc/issue* from /test/etc/rc.local: it will only fail.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Now boot the test partition again, it will be read only just like a cdrom. If
|
|
|
|
|
something doesn't work reboot to the working partition fix it, try again etc. Or you
|
|
|
|
|
could remount / rw, fix it, then reboot straight into to test partition again. To
|
|
|
|
|
remount / rw type:
|
|
|
|
|
<code>
|
|
|
|
|
# mount -o remount,rw /
|
|
|
|
|
</code>
|
|
|
|
|
</itemize>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Creating the CD
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you need more information than you can find below, please refer to the
|
|
|
|
|
CD-Writing-HOWTO.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Creating a boot image
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First of all, boot into the working partition. To create a bootable cd we'll need an
|
|
|
|
|
image of a bootable floppy. Just dd-ing a zImage doesn't work since the loader at the
|
|
|
|
|
beginning of the zimage doesn't seem to like the fake floppydrive a bootable cd creates.
|
|
|
|
|
So we'll use syslinux instead.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<itemize>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Get boot.img from a redhat cd.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Mount boot.img somewhere through loopback by typing:
|
|
|
|
|
<code>
|
|
|
|
|
# mount boot.img somewhere -o loop -t vfat
|
|
|
|
|
</code>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Remove everything from boot.img except for ldlinux.sys and syslinux.cfg.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Cp the kernel-image from the test partition to boot.img.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Edit syslinux.cfg so that it contains the following, of course replace zImage by the
|
|
|
|
|
appropriate image name:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<code>
|
|
|
|
|
default linux
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
label linux
|
|
|
|
|
kernel zImage
|
|
|
|
|
append root=/dev/<insert your cdrom device here>
|
|
|
|
|
</code>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Umount boot.img:
|
|
|
|
|
<code>
|
|
|
|
|
# umount somewhere
|
|
|
|
|
</code>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<item> If your /etc/mtab is a link to /proc/mounts, umount won't automagically free
|
|
|
|
|
/dev/loop0 so free it by typing:
|
|
|
|
|
<code>
|
|
|
|
|
# losetup -d /dev/loop0
|
|
|
|
|
</code>
|
|
|
|
|
</itemize>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Creating the iso image
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Now that we have the boot image and an install that can boot from a readonly mount it's
|
|
|
|
|
time to create an iso image of the cd:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<itemize>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Copy boot.img to /test
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Cd to the directory where you want to store the image and make sure it's on a
|
|
|
|
|
partition with enough free space.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Now generate the image by typing:
|
|
|
|
|
<code>
|
|
|
|
|
# mkisofs -R -b boot.img -c boot.catalog -o boot.iso /test
|
|
|
|
|
</code>
|
|
|
|
|
</itemize>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Verifying the iso image
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<itemize>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Mounting the image through the loopbackdevice by typing:
|
|
|
|
|
<code>
|
|
|
|
|
# mount boot.iso somewhere -o loop -t iso9660
|
|
|
|
|
</code>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Umount boot.iso:
|
|
|
|
|
<code>
|
|
|
|
|
# umount somewhere
|
|
|
|
|
</code>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<item> If your /etc/mtab is a link to /proc/mounts umount won't automagically free
|
|
|
|
|
/dev/loop0 so free it by typing:
|
|
|
|
|
<code>
|
|
|
|
|
# losetup -d /dev/loop0
|
|
|
|
|
</code>
|
|
|
|
|
</itemize>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Writing the actual CD
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assuming that you've got cdrecord installed and configured for your cd-writer type:
|
|
|
|
|
<code>
|
|
|
|
|
# cdrecord -v speed=<desired writing speed> dev=<path to your writers generic scsi device> boot.iso
|
|
|
|
|
</code>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boot the cd and test it
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well the title of this paragraph says it all;)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<!--
|
|
|
|
|
*******************************************
|
|
|
|
|
************ End of Section ***************
|
|
|
|
|
*******************************************
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<chapt> Buying is cheaper than building!
|
|
|
|
|
-->
|
|
|
|
|
<sect> Buying is cheaper than building!
|
|
|
|
|
<sect> Buying is Cheaper Than Building!
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
Sometimes, buying a diskless linux computer will be cheaper than building!!
|
|
|
|
|
In modern days we focus our energy on economy and managing the time efficiently.
|
|
|
|
|
Gone are the days when you would build everything on your own! Man introduced the
|
|
|
|
|
concept of mass production (factory having production lines churning out millions
|
|
|
|
|
of pieces). In the industrialized nation like U.S.A, every product you see is made
|
|
|
|
|
in mass-production and diskless computers are no exception. There are many
|
|
|
|
|
companies in USA which manufacture diskless computers in very large quantities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Checkout the following commercial sites, which are selling diskless
|
|
|
|
|
linux network-cards and diskless computers. These companies do <bf>mass
|
|
|
|
|
production</bf> of Linux Diskless computers selling millions of units and thereby
|
|
|
|
|
@ -114,7 +528,7 @@ linux diskless nodes. Get VNC from <url url="http://www.uk.research.att.com/vnc"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<itemize>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Linux Systems Labs Inc., USA <url url="http://www.lsl.com"> Click
|
|
|
|
|
on "Shop On-line" and than click on "HardWare" where all the
|
|
|
|
|
on "Shop On-line" and then click on "HardWare" where all the
|
|
|
|
|
Diskless computers will be listed. Phone 1-888-LINUX-88.
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Diskless Workstations Corporation, USA <url url="http://www.disklessworkstations.com">
|
|
|
|
|
@ -154,7 +568,7 @@ Linux will be the "host" OS and Windows 95/NT will be the "guest" OS.
|
|
|
|
|
<url name="VMWare" url="http://www.vmware.com">
|
|
|
|
|
is NOT a
|
|
|
|
|
emulator but has BIOS which allows you to install Windows 95/98/NT as
|
|
|
|
|
the guest OS to linux. Install the VMWare on Linux server and than install
|
|
|
|
|
the guest OS to linux. Install the VMWare on Linux server and then install
|
|
|
|
|
Windows 95/NT on VMWare.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You can use the 'xhost' command and DISPLAY environment from <bf>any</bf>
|
|
|
|
|
@ -194,8 +608,8 @@ There are other tools similar to vmware:
|
|
|
|
|
-->
|
|
|
|
|
<sect1> VNC package from AT and T
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
You can also use the VNC (Virtual Network Computing) Technology from the telecom
|
|
|
|
|
giant AT & T. VNC is GPLed and is a free software. Using VNC you can run Windows 95/NT
|
|
|
|
|
You can also use the VNC (Virtual Network Computing) Technology from
|
|
|
|
|
AT & T. VNC is GPLed and is a free software. Using VNC you can run Windows 95/NT
|
|
|
|
|
programs on diskless linux computer but actually running on remote Windows95/NT server.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You can use the VNC to display remote machines on your local display.
|
|
|
|
|
@ -235,106 +649,6 @@ usleep((unsigned long) 10000)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<chapt> Advantages of Diskless Computer
|
|
|
|
|
-->
|
|
|
|
|
<sect> Advantages of Diskless Computer
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
Diskless linux computer will become <bf>immensely</bf> popular and will
|
|
|
|
|
be the product of this century and in the next century.
|
|
|
|
|
The diskless linux computers will be very successful because of the
|
|
|
|
|
availability of very high-speed network cards at
|
|
|
|
|
very low prices. Today 100 Megabit
|
|
|
|
|
per second (12.5 MB per sec transfer rate) network cards are
|
|
|
|
|
common and in about 1 to 2 years 1000 MBit (125 MB per sec transfer rate)
|
|
|
|
|
network cards will become very cheap and will be the standard.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In near future, Monitor manufacturers will place
|
|
|
|
|
the CPU, NIC, RAM <bf>right inside</bf> the monitor to form
|
|
|
|
|
a diskless computer!!
|
|
|
|
|
This eliminates the diskless computer box and saves space. The monitor will
|
|
|
|
|
have outlet for mouse, keyboard, network RJ45 and power supply.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following are benefits of using diskless computers -
|
|
|
|
|
<itemize>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Diskless Linux computers can run BOTH MS Windows 95/NT and linux programs.
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Total cost of ownership is very low in case of Diskless computers.
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost of ownership is cost of initial purchasing + cost of maintainence.
|
|
|
|
|
The cost of maintainence is usually <bf>3 to 5 times</bf> the cost of
|
|
|
|
|
initial computer purchase and this cost is recurring year after year.
|
|
|
|
|
In case of Diskless computers, the cost of maintainence
|
|
|
|
|
is <bf>completely eliminated</bf>!!
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> All the backups are centralized at one single main server.
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> More security of data as it is located at server.
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> No need of UPS battery, air-conditioning, dust proof environment for
|
|
|
|
|
diskless clients, only server needs UPS battery, A/C and dust proof environment.
|
|
|
|
|
Only remote server inside the "Data Center" needs to have UPS, Redundant power supply,
|
|
|
|
|
Portable Diesel Electric generator, A/C, Fire protection,
|
|
|
|
|
Highly restricted access with locked and secure door to "Data Center".
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Noise is completely eliminated since diskless computer does not have
|
|
|
|
|
Fan motor, and local harddisk. Only server makes lots of noise but it is enclosed
|
|
|
|
|
in a server room ("Data Center").
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Protection from Virus attack - Computer virus cannot attack diskless
|
|
|
|
|
computers as they do not have any hard disk. Virus cannot do any damage to
|
|
|
|
|
diskless computers. Only one single server box
|
|
|
|
|
need to be protected against virus attack. This saves millions of dollars for
|
|
|
|
|
the company by avoiding installtion of vaccines and cleaning the hard disks!!
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Server can have large powerful/high performance hard disks, can optimize
|
|
|
|
|
the usage of disk space via sharing by many diskless computer users.
|
|
|
|
|
Fault tolerance of hard disk failure is possible by using RAID on main server.
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Server can have 64 bit CPU SMP box having many CPUs or even
|
|
|
|
|
linux super-computers. CPU power can be shared by many diskless computer users
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Sharing of central server RAM memory by many diskless computer users.
|
|
|
|
|
For example, if many users are using web browser than at server RAM there will
|
|
|
|
|
be only one copy of web browser in the RAM. In case Windows 95 PCs, many
|
|
|
|
|
users need to have individual copy of web browser
|
|
|
|
|
in local RAM and hence there is wastage of RAM space.
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Diskless computers are extremely fast because program loading time is
|
|
|
|
|
completely eliminated. For example, if the server loads the StarOffice suite
|
|
|
|
|
into memory due to request from one diskless user then if another diskless user wants to
|
|
|
|
|
use the StarOffice suite then loading time is avoided since StarOffice is
|
|
|
|
|
already loaded into memory.
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Diskless linux computers can run programs on multiple servers using the
|
|
|
|
|
"xhost" and DISPLAY environment.
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Very few system administrators required to maitain central server unlike
|
|
|
|
|
Windows 95 PC clients which need many administrators.
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Zero administration at diskless client side. Diskless computers
|
|
|
|
|
are absolutely maintainence free and troublefree.
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Long life of diskless clients - more than <bf>300 years</bf> without any
|
|
|
|
|
hardware or software upgrades.
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Eliminates install/upgrade of hardware, software on diskless client side.
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Eliminates cost of cdrom, floppy, tape drive, modem, UPS battery, Printer
|
|
|
|
|
parallel ports, serial ports etc..
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Prevents pilferage of hardware components as diskless node has very little
|
|
|
|
|
RAM and low-cost CPU. The server has lots of memory and many powerful CPUs.
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> Can operate in places like factory floor where a hard disk might be too fragile.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
</itemize>
|
|
|
|
|
<!--
|
|
|
|
|
*******************************************
|
|
|
|
|
************ End of Section ***************
|
|
|
|
|
*******************************************
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<chapt> Quick Steps to implement Diskless Nodes
|
|
|
|
|
-->
|
|
|
|
|
<sect> Quick Steps to implement Diskless Nodes
|
|
|
|
|
@ -391,55 +705,6 @@ Related topics worth seeing -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<chapt> Diskless with "Live Linux CDROM" <label id="livecdrom">
|
|
|
|
|
-->
|
|
|
|
|
<sect> Diskless with "Live Linux CDROM" <label id="livecdrom">
|
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
|
|
|
The "Live Linux CDROM" is a CDROM which has the entire Linux Operating System filesystem
|
|
|
|
|
on the CDROM. It is made by copying the live Linux system on to CDROM. The "Live Linux CDROM"
|
|
|
|
|
directly boots the Linux operating system from the CDROM drive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Get the "Live Linux CDROM" from
|
|
|
|
|
<itemize>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> <url url="http://www.demolinux.org">
|
|
|
|
|
<item> <url url="http://www.knopper.net/knoppix">
|
|
|
|
|
<item> <url url="http://www.ocslink.com/~blunier">
|
|
|
|
|
</itemize>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diskless workstation with "Live Linux CDROM" is becoming a reality because
|
|
|
|
|
of the following reasons:
|
|
|
|
|
<enum>
|
|
|
|
|
<item> RAM prices are all time low and 512MB RAM costs only US$70.
|
|
|
|
|
<item> CDROM drives are becoming extremely fast about 52X read speeds.
|
|
|
|
|
<item> CDROM IDE drives are very cheap, CDROM with 52X read speed is costing only US$33.
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</enum>
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You do not need a harddisk, floppy drives and others. All you need to
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build a diskless workstation is :
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<enum>
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<item> CPU
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<item> Mother board
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<item> NIC (Network Interface Card)
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<item> CDROM drive (IDE or SCSI)
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<item> RAM (64 MB minimum)
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<item> Live Linux CDROM
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</enum>
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For best prices on RAM and CDROM IDE drives check
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auctions in online stores like
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Egghead <url url="http://www.egghead.com"> or local stores in your city like
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<url name="UBM, Houston" url ="http://www.ubm.com">.
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After you boot "Live Linux CDROM", you can mount the hard disk partitions from remote
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Linux servers.
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<!--
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*******************************************
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************ End of Section ***************
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*******************************************
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<chapt> EEPROMs or Flash ROMs? <label id="flashroms">
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-->
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<sect> EEPROMs or Flash ROMs? <label id="flashroms">
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@ -1631,7 +1896,7 @@ Copyright policy is GNU/GPL as per LDP (Linux Documentation project).
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LDP is a GNU/GPL project.
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Additional restrictions are - you must retain the author's name, email address
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and this copyright notice on all the copies. If you make any changes
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or additions to this document than you should
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or additions to this document then you should
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intimate all the authors of this document.
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<!--
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*******************************************
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gferg