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openthinclient.org frequently asked questions
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Questions
- Which RDP client do you use?
- What are the differences between openthinclient.org and the openthinclient gmbh commercial product offering?
- Why are you using TikiWiki? It sucks in oh so many ways!
- What makes you different, when compared to other producers of ThinClient solutions?
- How long does it take to boot?
- Does openThinClient support Active Directory?
- Is Single Sign On (SSO) possible?
- Is it possible, to install Windows or Linux locally on the ThinClient machines?
- Can i install a Barcode Scanner?
- Is a multi head display possible?
- Is it possible to turn off the USB ports?
- Can your openThinClient be used as firewalls?
- How do i prepare my thin client for PXE(network) boot?
- Does openThinClient change my existing network environment?
- What are the minimum thin client requirements for openThinClient?
- How should i configurate my DHCP server?
- How can i change my keyboard layout?
- How can i change my screen resolution?
- Which license do you use for openthinclient.org?
Answers
Q: Which RDP client do you use?
Q: What are the differences between openthinclient.org and the openthinclient gmbh commercial product offering?
A: First of all: openthinclient.org is not crippleware. The openthinclient.org source code release will encompass almost everything that has been a part of the commercial product. The only exceptions are parts to which the openthinclient gmbh doesn't have the copyright and/or the source code or which have been developed exclusively for one of our customers.
openthinclient.com's future commercial offerings will focus on the following aspects:
openthinclient.com's future commercial offerings will focus on the following aspects:
- Tested and supported releases of the openthinclient.org system.
- Tested and supported openthinclient hardware
to be used with openthinclient.org.
- Custom services and development
- Customized releases for vertical solutions
Q: Why are you using TikiWiki? It sucks in oh so many ways!
A: Yes, we know. Unfortunately, the other alternatives suck in all the other ways. Please don't mention it.
Q: What makes you different, when compared to other producers of ThinClient solutions?
A: Our ThinClient solution offers flashless boot and a plattform independent management GUI and server.
Q: How long does it take to boot?
A: openThinClient boots in about a minute.
Q: Does openThinClient support Active Directory?
A: Yes it does.
Q: Is Single Sign On (SSO) possible?
A: Yes it is.
Q: Is it possible, to install Windows or Linux locally on the ThinClient machines?
A: Yes, this can be done by using Flash-Drives.
Q: Can i install a Barcode Scanner?
A: USB Barcode Scanners are generally supported.
Q: Is a multi head display possible?
A: Multiheading is supported by openThinClient.
Q: Is it possible to turn off the USB ports?
A: Not yet, but it is planned for future releases.
Q: Can your openThinClient be used as firewalls?
A: It is not planned for openThinClient to be used as a firewall.
Q: How do i prepare my thin client for PXE(network) boot?
A: To use network boot with OpenThinClient you will have to
activate the network boot ROM of the NIC. The necessary steps for
that depend on your thin clients (what brand and model are you using?).
Often it works like that, here as example a TC with AWARD BIOS:
> - enter BIOS by pressing DEL, F1 or F2
> - go to integrated peripherals and activate the boot rom
> - it might help to make the boot screens visible
> - F10 to save and exit
> - now during the BIOS phase press Shift-F10, Shift-Tab or whatever
> combination your manufacturer has chosen to enter the NIC BIOS
> - change "BIOS disabled" to "INT 19 - Network boot first" or something
> like that.
> - often it is F4 to save and reboot.
activate the network boot ROM of the NIC. The necessary steps for
that depend on your thin clients (what brand and model are you using?).
Often it works like that, here as example a TC with AWARD BIOS:
> - enter BIOS by pressing DEL, F1 or F2
> - go to integrated peripherals and activate the boot rom
> - it might help to make the boot screens visible
> - F10 to save and exit
> - now during the BIOS phase press Shift-F10, Shift-Tab or whatever
> combination your manufacturer has chosen to enter the NIC BIOS
> - change "BIOS disabled" to "INT 19 - Network boot first" or something
> like that.
> - often it is F4 to save and reboot.
Q: Does openThinClient change my existing network environment?
A: No openThinClient does not change existing environments.
Q: What are the minimum thin client requirements for openThinClient?
A: - x86 hardware that has
- standard PC BIOS,
- Intel, AMD, VIA, Transmeta or compatible CPU
- 128 MB RAM or more
- PXE support (i.e. NIC with BIOS)
- supported VGA (x.org compatible)
- standard PC BIOS,
- Intel, AMD, VIA, Transmeta or compatible CPU
- 128 MB RAM or more
- PXE support (i.e. NIC with BIOS)
- supported VGA (x.org compatible)
Q: How should i configurate my DHCP server?
A: The DHCP server should be configured to:
- assign an IP address to the thin client
- not send any network boot related options (filename, next server, ...)
- assign an IP address to the thin client
- not send any network boot related options (filename, next server, ...)
Q: How can i change my keyboard layout?
A: You can change it in the manager by first creating a new keyboard device with the layout you want and then assigning it to the thinclient.
Q: How can i change my screen resolution?
A: You can change it by first creating a new monitor device with the resolution you want and then assigning the monitor to the thin client.
Q: Which license do you use for openthinclient.org?
A: Due to the broad range of open source software packages used by openthinclient.org, there is no single license for all parts. However, the core openthinclient.org server and manager software is licensed under the GNU General Public license v2.0.
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