Diskless Linux Thin Clients

A diskless Linux workstation is very similar to a full Linux computer. All programs run directly on the workstation, not on a different computer somewhere else on the network. The workstation simply has no local hard drive. All files, including the operating system, are stored on our central file servers where the Computer Center can manage them for you. Because there's no hard drive, these systems are less expensive and more robust than normal PCs, but they still offer important features like a 1.8GHz Pentium 4 processor, 1GB of RAM, floppy and CDROM drives, USB and audio.

These diskless workstations are no slouch in the software department, either. Each is fully integrated into the JLab CUE environment, so users have access to their central home directories, /apps, /work and /scratch. In short, for most normal uses these diskless machines are indistinguishable from full-blown Linux workstations. Some early users have described it as being "like having ifarml1 on your desktop."

Purchasing Diskless Linux Thin Clients

These diskless workstations will soon be available on the new, improved online PC purchasing page, but you don't have to wait to order them. For ordering information (or other details), please contact David Bianco at x5268, or via email at bianco@jlab.org. With prices starting at just $600 (excluding monitor), these systems are well suited to a variety of uses.

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