DISCUSSION: Deepfreeze for Linux

This thread is to discuss the article titled:
Deepfreeze for Linux

This tutorial assumes some basic Linux knowledge. I wanted to ditch expensive, proprietary, vulnerable, resource-hogging Windows XP for Linux in my library system. After investigating dozens of distros, I found that openSUSE was best for my needs because it is free, easy to install, compatible with most hardware, and easy for patrons to use. Xandros OC3 was a good choice for lower-end machines; it runs fine on 450Mhz PCs. I used the KDE Kiosk Tool to lock down the desktop environment for my "all" user account. However, I still needed a solution like DeepFreeze, which reverts a PC to a backup image of the disk upon reboot so that no changes made by the public will stick. I wanted to be able to tell location staff, "If something looks weird or isn't working, just reboot."

Looks good though there is something wrong with the URI formatting (uses double quotes).

I still do not get why you can't use tmpfs, cloop or any overlay FS, but since the discussion is closed and the LA was made I'll save that for another time...

One nit: the "/root" directory usually resides on "/". Apart from not using /root for "regular tasks" large backups may fill up your root if you have a large backup to make and you definately do not want that. Since it's not that persistent I would recommend something like /var/local or /var/cache.

And if you want automagical restoration on boot, why not add it to your rc.local (or equivalent)?

Originally Posted by unSpawn And if you want automagical restoration on boot, why not add it to your rc.local (or equivalent)?

What's the difference between rc.local and other init directories?

tmpfs and similar solutions always caused problems when I tried them. This works.

How do I edit my article to fix those URIs?

This would be wonderful to have in Edubuntu. I am using Edubuntu for public access computing, with several users connecting through thin clients.

In the home directory I have: kevin patron4 patron5 patron6

The tutorial says to do this :

#!/bin/bash

rm -f /root/Desktop/clean_all.tar

tar -cpPf /root/Desktop/clean_all.tar /home/all


but , if i do that it will also restore my kevin directory right?
Is there a way to exclude the kevin directory from the tarball? Or is there a way for me to put all of my public profiles in a directory like all? How would I do that?

Thanks so much,

Also, the tutorial mentions that to get the restore script to run at bootup, the bootmisc.sh should be modified. Would this work by modifying /etc/rc.local?

This is what I came up with:

For the backup script.

cd /home
tar cvfz restore_patron4.tar.gz patron4

Then for the restore script I put this in /etc/rc.local:

cd /home
rm -fR /home/patron4
rm -fR /home/patron5
rm -fR /home/patron6
tar xvfz /home/restore_patron4.tar.gz
tar xvfz /home/restore_patron5.tar.gz
tar xvfz /home/restore_patron6.tar.gz

It has been working fine for multiple accounts on clients.

Hi Guys,
I am running a internet cafe running ubuntu. To manage it I am using outkafe. Outkafe timer needs to be started at the start of the session and I needed all data and conf put back when the user leaves. So I decided to edit Xsession to do this. I Made all users part of a group and when a member of this groups logs in it would run the timer and hold the session open and then the timer would quit and close the session. Also I add an rsync command to copy skel over to the users home and of course if the user was not part of the group the session would just run normal. This was grate because I could set up apps as I want them add icons etc. If you want to change some think change it in skell and it would change it for all users. I suppose you might not want to use skell maybe another dir. As all users will end up with these settings to for example I removed the log button as it was on my timer. Now all user will not have a log out button. I will paste the bottom of the Xsession File.

if groups | grep -q outkafe
; then
SESSIONFILES=$(run_parts $SYSSESSIONDIR)
if [ -n "$SESSIONFILES" ]; then
set +e
for SESSIONFILE in $SESSIONFILES; do
. $SESSIONFILE
done
set -e
fi &
sleep 8
rsync -a --delete /etc/skel/ ~/
/usr/bin/oklin --session-manager
else
SESSIONFILES=$(run_parts $SYSSESSIONDIR)
if [ -n "$SESSIONFILES" ]; then
set +e
for SESSIONFILE in $SESSIONFILES; do
. $SESSIONFILE
done
set -e
fi
fi

exit 0
# vim:set ai et sts=2 sw=2 tw=80:

Originally Posted by jamiejacksoncumbria Hi Guys, I am running a internet cafe running ubuntu. To manage it I am using outkafe. Outkafe timer needs to be started at the start of the session and I needed all data and conf put back when the user leaves. So I decided to edit Xsession to do this. I Made all users part of a group and when a member of this groups logs in it would run the timer and hold the session open and then the timer would quit and close the session. Also I add an rsync command to copy skel over to the users home and of course if the user was not part of the group the session would just run normal. This was grate because I could set up apps as I want them add icons etc. If you want to change some think change it in skell and it would change it for all users. I suppose you might not want to use skell maybe another dir. As all users will end up with these settings to for example I removed the log button as it was on my timer. Now all user will not have a log out button. I will paste the bottom of the Xsession File. if groups | grep -q outkafe ; then SESSIONFILES=$(run_parts $SYSSESSIONDIR) if [ -n "$SESSIONFILES" ]; then set +e for SESSIONFILE in $SESSIONFILES; do . $SESSIONFILE done set -e fi & sleep 8 rsync -a --delete /etc/skel/ ~/ /usr/bin/oklin --session-manager else SESSIONFILES=$(run_parts $SYSSESSIONDIR) if [ -n "$SESSIONFILES" ]; then set +e for SESSIONFILE in $SESSIONFILES; do . $SESSIONFILE done set -e fi fi exit 0 # vim:set ai et sts=2 sw=2 tw=80:

sir can i have your guide on how did you install the outkafe in your ubuntu? i am going to open an internet cafe shop next month running 8units of ubuntu and 4units of windows xp with ubuntu running as server...pls send me the info of installing outkafe in your ubntu i need this program badly..thanks for your reply...boyet

my email address is chelery72@smartbro.net alternate is blery72@yahoo.com

Thanks for the info in this thread. I'm installing linux in an internet cafe and needed a "Deep Freeze" solution. The backup of a clean "All Users" account and restore at startup works great (I put the restore script in rc.local). The problem I have is that I needed the PCs to boot automatically into the All Users account and not offer the 2 logins (with the admin user). I set this up in Linux and now get the error "/usr/libg/conf2-4/gconf-sanity-check-2 salio con el estado 256" when booting. Clicking "X" or pressing <CR> then boots OK, but why do I get this error? Would moving the restore into /etc/rc2.d fix it?, I will try this tomorrow in the cafe.

I am using Ubuntu 10.04.

yeah ,thanks for this great info ,
it helps me too ,
thanks alot for everyone

Sorry if I am missing something here but wouldn't OpenSolaris with cloned BE's (Build Environments) be ideal for something like this?

Hi all, forget about those scripts!

Hi all, forget about those scripts!

There's a project at sourceforge.net called Lethe. Check out this link http://sourceforge.net/projects/lethe/.

It's a great deepfreeze solusion! Works with Lucid and goes in a .deb package. There are only few minor bugs to be solved very soon, I believe.

Everyone is wellcomed for discussion and testing.

Cheers!

Originally Posted by apollo495 There's a project at sourceforge.net called Lethe. (..) It's a great deepfreeze solusion!

But isn't that just a set of scripts too?..

Originally Posted by apollo495 There are only few minor bugs to be solved very soon, I believe.

Like GNU/Linux distribution compatibility?

Of course it a set of scripts, but if you need just to freeze your portition in several minutes - that's a really great solution. Just install a deb package, reboot and it's done.

It's up to person what to choose. I'm not a linux guru that why my choice is Lethe.

As to bugs for the moment:
- certain problems with uninstall,
- conflict with AppArmour profile for dhcp and cups. This bug has a temporary solution.

It would be great if someone who knows AppArmour profiles could help project.

Originally Posted by apollo495 It would be great if someone who knows AppArmour profiles could help project.

Maybe ask here or here or here and over there?