Difference between revisions of "Linux Terminal Server"

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=Purpose=
 
=Purpose=
  
The purpose of the terminal servers is to provide a standard linux desktop which also gives easy access to the linux grid facilities at DTU Compute. The servers are running a standard Ubuntu 10.04LTS. Access is done via dedicated hardware clients using the [http://ltsp.org/ linux terminal server projects] setup or software client using NX. The interface is based on the light weight LXDE
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The purpose of the terminal servers is to provide a standard linux desktop which also gives easy access to the linux grid facilities at DTU Compute. The servers are running a standard Ubuntu 10.04LTS. Access is done via dedicated hardware clients using the [http://ltsp.org/ linux terminal server projects] setup or software client using thinlinc client [http://www.cendio.com] or x2go [http://www.x2go.org]. The interface is based on the light weight LXDE.
  
 
Compared to the SunRay servers the linux terminal servers should provide more up-to-date applications and better performance. However, the mobility provided by the smart card (i.e. one can move an existing session from one terminal to another)is no longer supported.
 
Compared to the SunRay servers the linux terminal servers should provide more up-to-date applications and better performance. However, the mobility provided by the smart card (i.e. one can move an existing session from one terminal to another)is no longer supported.
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=Hardware=
 
=Hardware=
  
The servers concist of 2 HP servers with 64GB RAM and 12 cores. Hardware this client are based on ????????.
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The servers concist of 2 HP servers with 64GB RAM and 12 cores.
  
 
=Requirements=
 
=Requirements=
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* The login shell should be '''/bin/bash''' (most users has this a login shell).
 
* The login shell should be '''/bin/bash''' (most users has this a login shell).
* The LANGvariable should be set in ~/.bashrc by adding '''*one*''' of the following linies:<br /> export LANG=en_US.utf8<br /> or<br /> export LANG=en_US<br /> Remove the following lines from your ~/.emacs if you set LANG=en_US.utf8:<br />  (set-terminal-coding-system 'iso-latin-1)<br />  (set-language-environment "Latin-1")<br />    (set-keyboard-coding-system 'iso-latin-1)<u><br /></u><u>Reason</u>: SUN, hms1 &amp;linuxgrid has en_US (i.e. a ISO based encoding)as default while linuxterm is having en_US.utf8 as default. By changing to a UTF8 based encoding all text file with special characters such as "æ", "ø" &amp; "å" needs to be updated. This can for latex files be a significant challenge.
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* The LANG variable should be set in ~/.bashrc by adding '''*one*''' of the following linies:<br /> export LANG=en_US.utf8<br /> or<br /> export LANG=en_US<br /> Remove the following lines from your ~/.emacs if you set LANG=en_US.utf8:<br />  (set-terminal-coding-system 'iso-latin-1)<br />  (set-language-environment "Latin-1")<br />    (set-keyboard-coding-system 'iso-latin-1)<u><br /></u><u>Reason</u>: SUN, hms1 &amp;linuxgrid has en_US (i.e. a ISO based encoding) as default while linuxterm is having en_US.utf8 as default. By changing to a UTF8 based encoding all text file with special characters such as "æ", "ø" &amp; "å" needs to be updated. This can for latex files be a significant challenge.
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All accounts created since 2013 has LANG=en_US.utf8 as default.
  
 
=Mini FAQ=
 
=Mini FAQ=
  
 
* ''How do Iconnect using a SW client?''<br /> See [[Linux Terminal Server | this page]].
 
* ''How do Iconnect using a SW client?''<br /> See [[Linux Terminal Server | this page]].
* ''How do Ichange the keyboard to a US layout on my thin client?''<br /> Send an email to [mailto:itsupport@imm.dtu.dk itsupport@imm.dtu.dk] with the number of your client
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* ''How do Ichange the keyboard to a US layout on my thin client?''<br /> Send an email to [mailto:itsupport@compute.dtu.dk itsupport@compute.dtu.dk] with the number of your client
 
* ''How do I add Matlab to the main task bar?''<br /> On top on the "''File Manager''" icon (2nd from left) click the right mouse button and choose "''Application Launch Bar Settings''". Follow the menu system from there.
 
* ''How do I add Matlab to the main task bar?''<br /> On top on the "''File Manager''" icon (2nd from left) click the right mouse button and choose "''Application Launch Bar Settings''". Follow the menu system from there.
 
* ''The screen is black and it says something about SquashFS errors?''<br /> Turn off and on the hardware. This error occurs if the hardware have lost connection to the server.
 
* ''The screen is black and it says something about SquashFS errors?''<br /> Turn off and on the hardware. This error occurs if the hardware have lost connection to the server.
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=Connecting=
 
=Connecting=
  
You can either use the web version which requires Java installed or installing a client on your computer.
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You can either connect using the software client '''thinlinc''' freely available from http://www.cendio.com or '''x2go''' available from '''http://x2go.org'''.
 
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==Web version for Linux and Windows users==
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The web version is available from
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[https://linuxterm.imm.dtu.dk/ https://linuxterm.imm.dtu.dk]
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When asked for username enter the one you would use if you were logging into a Sun terminal or Linux server.
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The vendor hasn't yet made an OSX 10.7 version.
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==Improve responsiveness==
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Based on which Internet connection you connect from you can alter the responsiveness e.g. when moving windows.
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Then the nxclient have been started click"Configure...". Here you can choose between
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Modem, ISDN, ADSL, WAN, LAN.
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If you conenct from within DTU without using wireless then LAN is a good starting point.
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If you conenct from within home without using wireless then ADSL is a good starting point.
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If you conenct from wireless connection then ISDN is a good starting point.
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The setting changes the image compression, where the most compression is done with Modem, and is therefore gives the best response time, and LAN does almost no compression but requires more bandwidth.
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==Linux client==
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Download and install the one that fits your version of Linux distribution from https://linuxterm.imm.dtu.dk/clients/ .
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When installed, start the client by entering
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nxclient
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and then exit it again and enter as your normal user
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cd ~/.nx/config
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wget --user=$(whoami) --ask-password https://linuxterm.imm.dtu.dk/clients/config/linuxterm.nxs
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and enter DTU Compute passphrase.
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When the client is started again linuxterm should be pre-selected in the "Session" box.
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Now you are ready to connect.
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==OSX client==
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You start by downloading Opennx from the Internet:Go to [http://opennx.net/ opennx.net], and [http://sourceforge.net/projects/opennx/files/opennx/CI/OpenNX-0.16.0.672.dmg/download download the Mac-Client].
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After having installed this, you also need to download the key from [https://linuxterm.imm.dtu.dk/clients/config/linuxterm.nxs https://linuxterm.imm.dtu.dk/clients/config/linuxterm.nxs]
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Move the downloaded file into the OpenNX-folder, authenticate, and click to get started.
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[[Image:441-Guide clean 5.jpeg| 500x300px |Guide clean 5.jpeg]]
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Click to start:'''PLEASENOTE: you have to login with your DTU Compute-Unix ID/PW !!'''
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[[Image:442-Guide%20clean%206.jpeg| 500x300px |Guide clean 6.jpeg]]
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and you are good to go :-)
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NB !! Under OSX 10.9 (Maverick) you need to un-check SystemPreferences/Mission Control/ "Displays have seperate Spaces"
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==Windows client==
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* Download and install the NX Client for Windows: https://linuxterm.imm.dtu.dk/clients/windows/nxclient-3.5.0-7.exe
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* Installation is straightforward: Next - Next - Next - Next - Install - Finish
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* Download the configuration file: https://linuxterm.imm.dtu.dk/clients/config/linuxterm.nxs
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* Start "NX Client for Windows" and click "Cancel" -this will create the config folder
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* Copy/move the config file linuxterm.nxs to: %userprofile%\.nx\config
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* Either use "Run..." and paste the path or paste it in a file explorer.
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* Run "NX Client for Windows" and connect using your DTU Compute Unix login and password.
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NB: it's possible to configure the "linuxterm" session settings - Use the Configure button before connecting (i.e. change desktop settings under the General tab)
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[[Category:IT]]
 
[[Category:IT]]

Revision as of 09:36, 21 August 2014

Purpose

The purpose of the terminal servers is to provide a standard linux desktop which also gives easy access to the linux grid facilities at DTU Compute. The servers are running a standard Ubuntu 10.04LTS. Access is done via dedicated hardware clients using the linux terminal server projects setup or software client using thinlinc client [1] or x2go [2]. The interface is based on the light weight LXDE.

Compared to the SunRay servers the linux terminal servers should provide more up-to-date applications and better performance. However, the mobility provided by the smart card (i.e. one can move an existing session from one terminal to another)is no longer supported.

Hardware

The servers concist of 2 HP servers with 64GB RAM and 12 cores.

Requirements

To use the terminal:

  • The login shell should be /bin/bash (most users has this a login shell).
  • The LANG variable should be set in ~/.bashrc by adding *one* of the following linies:
    export LANG=en_US.utf8
    or
    export LANG=en_US
    Remove the following lines from your ~/.emacs if you set LANG=en_US.utf8:
    (set-terminal-coding-system 'iso-latin-1)
    (set-language-environment "Latin-1")
    (set-keyboard-coding-system 'iso-latin-1)
    Reason: SUN, hms1 &linuxgrid has en_US (i.e. a ISO based encoding) as default while linuxterm is having en_US.utf8 as default. By changing to a UTF8 based encoding all text file with special characters such as "æ", "ø" & "å" needs to be updated. This can for latex files be a significant challenge.

All accounts created since 2013 has LANG=en_US.utf8 as default.

Mini FAQ

  • How do Iconnect using a SW client?
    See this page.
  • How do Ichange the keyboard to a US layout on my thin client?
    Send an email to itsupport@compute.dtu.dk with the number of your client
  • How do I add Matlab to the main task bar?
    On top on the "File Manager" icon (2nd from left) click the right mouse button and choose "Application Launch Bar Settings". Follow the menu system from there.
  • The screen is black and it says something about SquashFS errors?
    Turn off and on the hardware. This error occurs if the hardware have lost connection to the server.
  • Can I use the terminal as client for the winterm server?
    Yes, you can switch between Linux and Windows by pressing CTRL-ALT-F3 for Windows and CTRL-ALT-F4 for Linux.
  • How do I get black text on white background in the terminals? On a terminal, go to Edit -> Preferences and change the colours there.
  • How do I enable autoraise? Edit the file ~/.config/openbox/lxde-rc.xml and make sure that <followMouse> and <raiseOnFocus> are yes.

Connecting

You can either connect using the software client thinlinc freely available from http://www.cendio.com or x2go available from http://x2go.org.