Thinstation
Encyclopedia
Thinstation is a free and open source Linux
implementation of a thin client
operating system. It only requires standard 32-bit x86 PC hardware and can boot directly from the network via PXE
or Etherboot from a TFTP
server, or from local devices such as Hard disks, CompactFlash drives, USB keyrings and CD/DVDs. The minimum requirement is a Pentium class CPU and RAM dependent on the intended use, typically 32–128 MB.
Even a light standalone desktop is available with Mozilla Firefox
and some other basic application like editors and file managers. A web kiosk
is a standard solution too (Mozilla Prism
).
A Thinstation boot image can be created in three ways:
(LTSP) except that Thinstation, unlike LTSP, is independent of NFS
(Network File System) – although NFS can also be supported – and unlike LTSP, Thinstation supports non-Linux servers such as Microsoft Windows and Citrix. LTSP comes integrated with several Linux distributions whereas Thinstation is an independent project.
. It was originated by Miles Roper from New Zealand and joined by Paolo Salvan (Italy) and Mike Eriksen (Denmark). Shortly after Trevor Batley (Australia) joined the core staff, contributing TS-O-Matic and is currently the project leader. Marcos Amorim (Brazil) is heading the future version 3.0 development.
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
implementation of a thin client
Thin client
A thin client is a computer or a computer program which depends heavily on some other computer to fulfill its traditional computational roles. This stands in contrast to the traditional fat client, a computer designed to take on these roles by itself...
operating system. It only requires standard 32-bit x86 PC hardware and can boot directly from the network via PXE
Preboot Execution Environment
The Preboot eXecution Environment is an environment to boot computers using a network interface independently of data storage devices or installed operating systems.PXE was introduced as part of the Wired for Management framework by Intel and is described in the specification The Preboot...
or Etherboot from a TFTP
Trivial File Transfer Protocol
Trivial File Transfer Protocol is a file transfer protocol known for its simplicity. It is generally used forautomated transfer of configuration or boot files between machines in a local environment....
server, or from local devices such as Hard disks, CompactFlash drives, USB keyrings and CD/DVDs. The minimum requirement is a Pentium class CPU and RAM dependent on the intended use, typically 32–128 MB.
Technical specifications
Thinstation is a standalone system, that does not require any modification of the server as long as the server accepts remote client connections. This is true for:- Microsoft Windows Server (2000, 2003, 2008) using RDPRemote Desktop ProtocolRemote Desktop Protocol is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft, which provides a user with a graphical interface to another computer. The protocol is an extension of the ITU-T T.128 application sharing protocol. Clients exist for most versions of Microsoft Windows , Linux, Unix, Mac OS...
via rdesktopRdesktoprdesktop is a free, open source client for Microsoft's proprietary RDP protocol. It is released under the GNU General Public License and is available on Unix-like systems such as BSD and Linux....
and FreeRDPFreeRDPFreeRDP is a free, open source clientfor Microsoft's proprietary RDP protocol.It is released under the GNU General Public License and is available on...
. - XP/Vista/7 versions for single user login (Remote desktop).
- Citrix servers using ICAIndependent Computing ArchitectureIndependent Computing Architecture is a proprietary protocol for an application server system, designed by Citrix Systems. The protocol lays down a specification for passing data between server and clients, but is not bound to any one platform....
- Linux, Unix servers using X (XDMCP), NXNX technologyNX technology is a computer program that handles remote X Window System connections, and attempts to greatly improve on the performance of the native X display protocol to the point that it can be usable over a slow link such as a dial-up modem...
(NoMachine,FreeNx,2X, Neatx), ThinLincThinLincThinLinc is a cross-platform thin client solution developed by Cendio AB. The server software runs on Linux or Solaris. Applications and desktops from other platforms can be published using different virtualization techniques: Windows applications can be executed from a server with Remote Desktop...
(cendio), View Open clientVMware ViewIn computing, VMware View is a commercial desktop-virtualization product developed by VMware, Inc. Its first two releases sold under the name VMware VDM, but with the 3.0.0 release in 2008VMware Inc. changed the name to "VMware View"....
(VMware), SSHSecure ShellSecure Shell is a network protocol for secure data communication, remote shell services or command execution and other secure network services between two networked computers that it connects via a secure channel over an insecure network: a server and a client...
, TelnetTELNETTelnet is a network protocol used on the Internet or local area networks to provide a bidirectional interactive text-oriented communications facility using a virtual terminal connection...
and other text terminals.
Even a light standalone desktop is available with Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is a free and open source web browser descended from the Mozilla Application Suite and managed by Mozilla Corporation. , Firefox is the second most widely used browser, with approximately 25% of worldwide usage share of web browsers...
and some other basic application like editors and file managers. A web kiosk
Kiosk software
Kiosk software is the system and user interface software designed for a kiosk or Internet kiosk. Kiosk software locks down the application in order to protect the kiosk from users. Kiosk software may offer remote monitoring to manage multiple kiosks from another location...
is a standard solution too (Mozilla Prism
Mozilla Prism
Mozilla Prism is a product which integrates web applications with the desktop, allowing web applications to be launched from the desktop and configured independently of the default web browser. As of November 2010, Prism is listed as an inactive project at the Mozilla labs website.Prism is based...
).
A Thinstation boot image can be created in three ways:
- As a premade LiveCD.
- As a complete local build environment (requires a Linux computer) to generate custom images.
- As a web service called TS-O-Matic. By using TS-O-Matic it is possible to make a custom Thinstation client Linux image from even a Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac, or Unix computer.
Comparison with LTSP
Thinstation compares with Linux Terminal Server ProjectLinux Terminal Server Project
Linux Terminal Server Project is a free and open source terminal server for Linux that allows many people to simultaneously use the same computer. Applications run on the server with a terminal known as a thin client handling input and output...
(LTSP) except that Thinstation, unlike LTSP, is independent of NFS
Distributed file system
Network file system may refer to:* A distributed file system, which is accessed over a computer network* Network File System , a specific brand of distributed file system...
(Network File System) – although NFS can also be supported – and unlike LTSP, Thinstation supports non-Linux servers such as Microsoft Windows and Citrix. LTSP comes integrated with several Linux distributions whereas Thinstation is an independent project.
History
Thinstation started as a fork of Netstation in May 2003, hosted on SourceForgeSourceForge
SourceForge Enterprise Edition is a collaborative revision control and software development management system. It provides a front-end to a range of software development lifecycle services and integrates with a number of free software / open source software applications .While originally itself...
. It was originated by Miles Roper from New Zealand and joined by Paolo Salvan (Italy) and Mike Eriksen (Denmark). Shortly after Trevor Batley (Australia) joined the core staff, contributing TS-O-Matic and is currently the project leader. Marcos Amorim (Brazil) is heading the future version 3.0 development.
Press reviews
- IDG On-line Magazine Techworld (2007) (in Swedish)
- C't Computer Magazine, issue 3, page 202–205 (2007) (in German).
- Linux Magazine Especial, issue 02 (July), page 67–72 (2007) (in Brazilian).
- IXBT Web Magazine (2009) (in Russian).