DISKLESS WORKSTATION IN LINUX

1
DISKLESS WORKSTATION IN LINUX

• --- IT Acumens. COM

2
Introduction Recent linux kernels offer the
possibility to boot a linux box entirely from
network ,by loading its kernel and root
filesystem from a server. In that case, the
client may use several ways to get the first
instructions it has to execute when booting home
made eproms ,special network cards implementing
the RARP,BOOTP or DHCP protocols ,cdroms ,or
bootloaders loaded from a boot floppy or a local
hard drive
3

• diskless workstation
• We define a diskless
  workstation as a computer that doesn't boot it's
  operating system from a hard disk. Instead, it
  locates a server on the local area network and
  downloads the operating system across the
  network.

4

• A diskless workstation
• It's a computer without a hard drive in it, and
  generally without a CD-ROM drive.
• The workstation has a network card and video
  card, and may also have other expansion cards
  such as a sound card.
• A diskless workstation inherently relies on
  services provided on the network for most of its
  operation, including booting and running
  applications.
• Generally the workstation will be operated as a
  thin client using a central server to provide
  access to files and run applications, but given
  sufficient resources of its own, some
  applications can be run locally.
• When operated in a thin client mode the resource
  requirements for the diskless workstation are
  relatively modest, making it quite feasible to
  use older computers (eg, Pentium 150-200) for the
  workstations. This offers a considerable benefit
  in reusing existing hardware.

5

• A Linux diskless workstation
• Linux makes a good choice for a diskless
  workstation operating system because it offers
  good support for a wide range of PC hardware
  (network and video support is particularly
  relevant here). Linux 2.2 kernel series includes
  support for network booting and several network
  file systems.
• It is also available relatively cheaply, and the
  source code is available easing the task of
  diagnosing or fixing problems.

6
(No Transcript)
7

• Internet Cafe and Financial Banking with
  "Diskless Linux"
• We can set up Internet Cafe with diskless Linux.
• Internet cafes are immensely popular in
  developing countries like India, Thailand, China.
  In India Internet cafes are also serving as
  financial banking centers where people go to pay
  bills, trade stocks, transfer money and do online
  banking.
• In India people do not go to bank they go to
  Internet cafe for online banking!!

8
COMPARISION

• IN RAILWAYS UNIX
• THEY WANT TO PAY FOR THAT.
• IN OUR PRJ -LINUX.
• IT IS FREEWARE.
• KERNEL MODIFICATION CAN BE DONE
• FOR NETWORK SECURITY PURPOSE.

9

• More advantages
• Total cost of ownership is very low in case of
  diskless computers.
• Cost of maintenance is completely eliminated
• All the backups are centralized at one single
  main server.
• No need of UPS battery ,air-conditioning ,dust
  proof environment for diskless clients, only
  server needs UPS battery ,A/C and dust proof
  environment.

10
FUTURE ENHANCEMENT

• Diskless clients in future
• Monitor manufacturers will place the cpu , nic,
  RAM right inside the monitor to form a diskless
  computer.
• Eliminating diskless computer box and thereby
  saving space.
• Monitors with outlet for mouse, keyboard and
  power supply.

11
CONCLUSION

• The project
• DISKLESS WORKSTATION IN LINUX
• is effective and found to be efficient with
  real time. Hence the project proves to be
  versatile one as it is flexible with out any
  inconvience.