is this possible with linux...what software would i need

sigint-ninja · 07-18-2012, 04:28 PM

hi guys,

would it be possible to run a vm of linux (centOS / anything) as a server and have two dumb terminals login to the server just using an internet browser. (or maybe open office) all i want is internet and maybe view a few docs...

or is there a more practical way of doing this

cant wait for your input...

chrism01 · 07-18-2012, 04:47 PM

If you really want to go the 'dumb terminal' approach, look into http://www.ltsp.org/

sigint-ninja · 07-18-2012, 05:37 PM

ok maybe not a dumb terminal...maybe i can use old boxes lying around. would i still have to use what you mentioned? or is there another way?
thanks for quick reply

chrism01 · 07-18-2012, 05:44 PM

Yes; see that page. 'dumb terminal' is just a description, meaning all/most of the SW is actually stored on/run from the main server, which seems to be what you want.
Any type of PC can be used, ie 'fat client' or 'thin client'
See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_...Server_Project & https://fedorahosted.org/k12linux/

sigint-ninja · 07-19-2012, 01:52 PM

yes i did realise that you can use a standard pc as a dumb client...just wondered if there was anything else built into linux to achieve this. like a terminal emulation program that let you run specific apps...was looking online last night...seemed pretty difficult to even find a place to buy a dumb terminal ...amazon and ebay didnt seem to have anything.

snowday · 07-19-2012, 01:56 PM

Are you looking for something like SSH?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_Shell

michaelk · 07-19-2012, 03:08 PM

Well, the most common terminal programs I would say are minicom, cutecom, PuTTY and Windows hyperterminal. A real dumb terminal was nothing more then a monitor and keyboard, worked just about the same as the CLI and would connect via a serial port. So you will not be able to run anything x related. As stated a thin client or standard PC with some kind of remote desktop application is probably what you really want.

chrism01 · 07-19-2012, 06:01 PM

Of course for old b*stards like me, our first dumb terminal was a Teletype http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__...e/Teletype.jpg

Those were the days

michaelk · 07-19-2012, 06:11 PM

Me too...