Diskless XWorkstations
Advantages in the office environment
In the typical office environment each desk has a full blown pc. The average cost to deploy each windows pc is around $2000, after installation and licensing, then there is on going maintenance. This pc workstation has more power and can perform more tasks than the average user can ever take advantage of and as a result much of the initial investment is wasted. Another concern is that illegal and/or unauthorized software can be installed on the workstations without the knowledge of management.
Anytime that new software is needed it must be installed on each workstation in the office. This can add up to quite an expense as the average software package takes about an hour to install and test, for an office of five computers this could be an all day project.
A diskless Xworkstation costs around $700, after installation and licensing. Of course there is also the investment in a server, around $2000 after licensing and installation. So for a network of 5 workstations the cost for Xworkstations would be $5500 as opposed to $10,000 for 5 windows pc workstations. In this scenario the average cost per Xworkstation is $1100 as opposed to $2000 for a windows pc. Also note that as more Xworkstations are added the average cost goes down.
All programs and data are stored on the server reducing maintenance costs and allowing easier backups. Since the Xworkstations have fewer parts, even no moving parts, they rarely breakdown. Xworkstations do not have the ability to install programs eliminating unauthorized or illegal software use. Installation of new software is done only on the server, thus reducing the cost of new or upgraded software.
Point by point:
Average cost per seat goes down as Xworkstations are added.
Maintenance costs are reduced, software and hardware.
Data integrity is increased by easier backups.
Highly flexible server can act as a printserver, mail server, file server and more all at the same time.
Hardware
Server:
This specification is capable of serving 10 ~ 15 workstations. This set of hardware is very scalable.
Pentium III server class dual processor motherboard. One 500mhz processor installed.
256mb ram installed.
20 gigabites ide harddisk. Storage may be split among more than 1 drive.
Cdrom drive.
Backup drive.
Floppy drive.
Full tower case. Case should have space for 8 drives and 300wat power supply.
Video card, 15" monitor, keyboard, mouse
Xworkstations:
It is worth noting here that this specification allows the Xworkstation to be turned into a full blown pc simply by adding a harddisk because commodity hardware is used.
Pentium class motherboard. 300Mhz proccessor installed.
32 mb ram
Network card with prom socket
Boot prom or 3.5" floppy drive
Good pci video card
17' monitor, keyboard, mouse
Case with 100watt power supply. The smallest case possible is desirable, desktop or tower configuration
Software
Operating System:
GNU/LINUX - RedHat latest release
System Software:
This list is only a small sample of some of the most useful software that comes installed on the server. The exact software configuration would be tailored to the users need.
Printer Server lpd.
Http Server Apache.
Samba windows client connectivity
NFS file system.
Mail Server.
PostgreSQL multiuser relational database manager.
Star Office 5.2 productivity suite from Sun Microsystems.
Netscape Communicator.
GNOME Desktop the GNU network GUI.
Fax software.
Total Software Cost = $0
The standard software that comes preinstalled and configured on the server is all GPL software, meaning that it is source code available and at no cost.
There is no shortage of top quality software available for GNU/Linux, both free and commercial. From Oracle database to VMWare that lets you run windows programs on linux. For any task that you could use a computer for there is a World Class solution available on the GNU/Linux platform.