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DisklessWorkstations.com FAQ

LTSP® - LTSP Term 1000 / 1220 / 1225 / 1420 / 1425 Windows® Embedded - DLW Term 1224 / 1226 / 1424 / 1426
 What is LTSP?  What is a Thin Client with Windows Embedded?
 Who uses LTSP?  What are the benefits of using Thin Clients with Windows Embedded?
 What distributions of Linux support LTSP?  What software is included in Windows Embedded?
 Why are your Thin Clients LTSP Certified? Thin Clients
 What is the difference between PXE and Etherboot/gPXE?  What are the benefits of using Thin Clients?
 Where can i find LTSP support?  Do Thin Clients really use less power?
 How can i play an active role in the LTSP community?  What is the difference between the 1000 Series, 1200 Series, and 1400 Series Thin Clients?
Linux® Embedded - DLW Term 1222 / 1422 DisklessWorkstations.com
 What is a Thin Client with Linux Embedded?  Does DisklessWorkstations.com offer a warranty with all their Thin Client?
 What are the benefits of using Thin Clients with Linux Embedded?  How quickly will my order ship?
 What software is included in Linux Embedded?  Does DisklessWorkstations.com ship internationally?
 Will my end-users be able to add their own software to the Linux Embedded operating system?  My Thin Client broke and its out of warranty ... can DisklessWorkstations.com fix my Thin Client?
   How do i request an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization)?
   I have a question about DisklessWorkstations.com's products, who do i contact?

What is LTSP?
The Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP) is an open source software project that adds thin client support to Linux servers. It is a flexible, cost effective solution that is empowering schools, businesses, and organizations worldwide, allowing them to easily install and deploy secure desktop workstations. LTSP is based on the server-client computing model. In an LTSP setup the server typically acts as a single point of maintenance allowing applications to be distributed to a network of workstations front a single point of access. Meaning: you install your applications on your server, not on every end-user workstation! LTSP is also used as a platform to deliver other server-client computing applications like Citrix or a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) client. LTSP is a very versatile software package, supported by a growing community of developers. Utilizing open source models, LTSP helps take licensing fees and software costs out of the picture.
 
Who uses LTSP?
LTSP is providing desktops and applications to thousands of seats worldwide. It is used in a variety of installations from providing desktops to students at school to creating a highly secure environment in government applications. LTSP is very popular both in the United States and over seas in places like Brazil. Search your favorite internet search engine for "Linux Terminal Server Project" or "LTSP" to realize it's marketplace traction.
 
What distributions of Linux support LTSP?
LTSP began as a standalone package, designed to work with all major distributions. As a standalone package different code was required to integrate with different distributions. In more recent years, major distributions such as Ubuntu, Fedora, and OpenSUSE have contributed developers and time to the project to integrate LTSP with their distribution of Linux.
 
Why are DisklessWorkstations.com Thin Clients LTSP Certified?
Back in 1999, DisklessWorkstations.com founded both itself and the Linux Terminal Server Project. Since, DisklessWorkstations.com has been committed to supporting the growth and recognition of LTSP. DisklessWorkstations.com provides key developers Thin Clients to test and debug with, which certifies the workstations to work with LTSP. Extensive testing with different distributions, and new releases ensures DisklessWorkstations.com's Thin Clients to be a superior fit with LTSP.
 
What is the difference between PXE and Etherboot/gPXE?
Both PXE and Etherboot/gPXE allow the Thin Client to boot from a DHCP server via your local network. PXE is proprietary software typically included in most network cards sold today. Etherboot/gPXE is very similiar to PXE, except it is an open source project, therefore, the software is free. Etherboot/gPXE also has some other inherit benefits like supporting other boot methods aside from TFTP and scripting. Learn more about Etherboot/gPxe.
 
Where can i find LTSP support?
LTSP has a very active community of developers, testers, and users. Visit http://wiki.ltsp.org to sign up for the mailing lists. Join the live discussion in the LTSP IRC channel #ltsp @ irc.freenode.net. DisklessWorkstations.com also provides professional support, contact sales@DisklessWorkstations.com!
 
How can i play an active role in the LTSP community?
Much of LTSP's success today can be attributed to the community of developers. As the community continues to develop and grow, people interested in developing LTSP, designing applications to integrate with LTSP, as well as test and debug are more than welcome! The community is also interested in hearing of succesful LTSP deployments. Please visit http://wiki.ltsp.org.
 
What is a Thin Client with Linux Embedded?
Linux® Embedded is a read-only version of the Linux operating system. It is installed on a compact flash card, which is installed inside of the thin client.
 
What are the benefits of using Thin Clients with Linux Embedded?
A Thin Client with Linux Embedded can be used in two ways: as a stand-alone PC, or as a Thin Client with a platform filled with connection clients. These connection clients allow you to connect to various forms of software available in the marketplace to operate a Thin Client network. As a stand-alone PC a Thin Client with Linux Embedded you will find some standard software like a web browser, and pdf reader. This also provides a back-up operating platform in the event that the thin client network is unavailable to the user.
 
What software is included in Linux Embedded?
The DLW Term 1222 and the DLW Term 1422 (two Linux Embedded Thin Clients) have software to connect to: Citrix Presentation Server®, NX server, VNC, RDP, and other connection clients. Mozilla FireFox® and a PDF reader are among other software built into the Embedded image. Please view the product specification sheets for the DLW Term 1222 and DLW Term 1422 to get a full list of software included with these offerings.
 
Will my end-users be able to add their own software to the Linux Embedded operating system?
Since the Linux Embedded Thin Clients (DLW Term 1222 & DLW Term 1422) are read-only images, end-users will not be able to install their own software applications. In many organizations this is a great increase in security, as most users need to use software provided by the company as opposed to installing their own. This also ensures that the operating system cannot be damaged by an uneducated end-user, as well as making it impervious to viruses.
 
What is a Thin Client with Windows Embedded?
A Thin Client with Windows Embedded is a Thin Client with Windows CE 6.0 or Windows XP Embedded installed on a compact flash card. These operating system images mirror the common style of a Windows desktop and boast connection clients (i.e. RDP, Citrix) for use in a Thin Client network.
 
What are the benefits of using Thin Clients with Windows Embedded?
Using Windows Embedded in a Thin Client network provides the end-user with a familiar look a feel using the Windows platform. This Embedded operating system also has a read/write protection filter installed. Using a read/write filter allows network administrators and managers to control the end-users access to saving data or installing applications on the Thin Client. A password can be set, and without knowledge of the password, end-users are unable to make any changes to the operating system image on the compact flash card located inside the Thin Client
 
What software is included in Windows Embedded?
Windows Embedded Thin Clients come with most standard Windows based software, like Notepad, and the Calculator. Connection clients for RDP, and Citrix® are also built into these operating system images. Please view the product specification sheets for the DLW Term 1224 / 1424 / 1226 / 1426 to obtain the most up-to-date information regarding the installed software packages.
 
What are the benefits of using Thin Clients?
Thin Clients are low total cost of ownership (TCO) desktop workstations. Thin Clients have no moving parts (i.e. fans, hard drive), are designed with a small form factor, and frequently outlive the standard desktop PC sold today. The average life of a Thin Client is 5 - 10 years. Thin Clients are most commonly used to provide an operating system via a network connection to the end-user. They are also used as embedded computers in packaged solutions as well as Kiosk computers. Thin Clients also consume notably less power than your standard desktop PC, helping them achieve the title of a Low TCO desktop workstation.
 
Do Thin Clients really use less power?
Thin Clients use significantly less power than desktop PC's and laptop computers! Thin Clients typically operate using 8W - 13W. Power usage greatly depends on the power supply and chipset within a computer. DisklessWorkstations.com's Thin Clients all operate using 5 volt power supplies. For comparsion: a laptop manufactured in 2007 (including the laptop screen) uses aproximatley 77W in operation.
 
What is the difference between the 1000 Series, 1200 Series, and 1400 Series Thin Clients?
The 1000 Series Thin Clients are DisklessWorkstations.com's lightweight offering. Operating best in a character-based environment, the 1000 series is the most rugged and small form factor Thin Client offered by DisklessWorkstations.com. The 1200 Series Thin Clients are the most popular selling thin clients, boasting a more powerful specification sheet than the 1000 Series, the 1200 Series have expandable RAM, and more I/O ports. The 1400 Series Thin Clients are best-in-class, as they offer the fastest processor, 10/100/1000 NIC's, and expansion options that can turn this Thin Client into virtually any type of computing device.
 
Does DisklessWorkstations.com offer a warranty with all their Thin Clients?
Yes! DisklessWorkstations.com offers a 1-year warranty for all Thin Client purchases! Additional warranty time can be purchased, please contact sales@DisklessWorkstations.com.
 
How quickly will my order ship?
DisklessWorkstations.com has made providing superior customer service nothing short of a habit. If the item you are interested is listed as "in stock" and your order has been placed before 4:00 PM EST, you can expect to have your order shipped that day! DisklessWorkstations.com ships worldwide via UPS.
 
Does DisklessWorkstations.com ship internationally?
Yes! DisklessWorkstations.com has shipped products worldwide. If shipping method, payment, or importing is a concern please contact us by e-mailing: sales@DisklessWorkstations.com.
 
My Thin Client broke and its out of warranty ... can DisklessWorkstations.com fix my Thin Client?
More often than not yes! DisklessWorkstations.com is able to repair/replace parts in all of the Thin Clients we sell. Sometimes Thin Clients reach an end-of-life product stage. In this case DisklessWorkstations.com will work to exhaust part stocks until their are no more parts available to fix your Thin Clients.
 
How do i request an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization)?
Please send an e-mail to rma@DisklessWorkstations.com. Include the serial number of the unit and describe the problems you are having. DisklessWorkstations.com will correspond with you that same day with further instructions on how to handle your RMA.
 
I have a question about DisklessWorkstations.com's products, who do i contact?
Call: (888) DLW-LTSP / (888) 359-5877
E-mail: sales@DisklessWorkstations.com