• Debugging the openthinclient OS
  • Make the filesystem writable for live debugging
  • 1. Prepare the ThinClient for write access
  • 2. Choose your option(s)
    • Option 1: Boot the prepared ThinClient and use the terminal for debugging.
    • Option 2: Install Packages on the prepared thinclient for testing purposes

Debugging the openthinclient OS

Make the filesystem writable for live debugging

OpenThinClient allows you to edit and change certain files and directories on a running ThinClient OS for testing purposes. Simply follow these instructions.

1. Prepare the ThinClient for write access

Right click on a ThinClient and choose "Edit"



Next go to the "Configuration" tab to edit the "Additional kernel parameters" line as shown here:



Here is an (incomplete) summary of the paths you can enter:

path	description
/bin	Essential user command binaries (for use by all users)
/etc	Host-specific system configuration
/lib	Essential shared libraries and kernel modules
/home	User home directories
/opt	OpenThinClient application software packages

Since OpenThinClient is based on Ubuntu Linux. the filesystem structure is very similar besides certain customizations. Both operating systems naturally follow the "Filesystem Hierarchy Standard"

For this example we will use the line:

The setting above lets you write into the /bin, /etc, /sbin, /usr, /var and /lib directory.

The layout is based on:

The parameter "union" stands for "UnionFS", a transparently overlayed filesystem which makes the specified directories writable.

Now it is time to click "Ok" to apply the changes.

2. Choose your option(s)

Now that the ThinClient paths are partly writable you can now start to edit the files and directories in the specified paths. Start by Booting your ThinClient and logging in with a user.

Option 1: Boot the prepared ThinClient and use the terminal for debugging.

• Open a console window with the keystrokes "Ctrl-Shift-Alt and X".
• issue the command "su" followed by the "Enter" key to obtain root privileges.
• The root password is "foobar"

Now, you can start with your debugging!

Notice: Be aware that after you reboot the ThinClient all changes that you have made will be lost.
If you want to keep the changes you have made, have a look at the custom folders options to keep them permanent.

Option 2: Install Packages on the prepared thinclient for testing purposes

Besides debugging you can also use the unionfs to install packages to test if they can be implemented
as openthinclient application pacakges.

• Open a console window with the keystrokes "Ctrl-Shift-Alt and X".
• issue the command "su" followed by the "Enter" key to obtain root privileges.
• The root password is "foobar"

To install new packages issue the following commands:

Downloads the current package lists from the server.

Downloads the package with name <packagename> from the server and installs it.

Notice: Be aware that after you reboot the ThinClient all packages you have installed will be lost.
If you want to keep a package you need to create a openthinclient package for it.