[OLPC Networking] server based computing

[MBurns]

On 10/10/06, Roland Sassen (using mozilla) <sassen at thinsia.com> wrote:
>
>  Hello, I would suggest to use thin client technology, as is chosen by 52
> primary
>  schools in the Netherlands for their 14000 children.

Thin clients are a great idea, but only for certain situations. The
Laptop's main network will be a relatively low bandwidth and high
latency networks. Lower bandwidth will be from the shared medium mesh
along with the better range of wireless signal at slower speeds. High
latency comes from the multi-hop nature of the mesh.

Now, while thin clients are neat, they suffer greatly in either
environment. To have a responsive application, you need low latency
access to the hosting server (for transmissions of screen refreshes
and input). FreeNX or similar technology could be used to compensate
for the limited bandwidth usage (if not straight X forwarding) but the
mesh network would be havoc for applications that were being hosted
remotely.

Also consider that the topology of the network is inherently dynamic.
Access to a central server (presumably the School's server) is not
guaranteed or even expected for off hours use, and a design goal of
the Laptop is to be usable by a child in a field under a tree,
independent of any other technology. This scenario is impossible with
true thin client use.

>  Most problems are avoided by using this easy, fast and secure technology.
Sure. If you have the network infrastructure, server systems and
defined application list that meet the requirements, thin clients can
be an astoundingly appealing idea. Music, video or high-demand and
system intense software does not run well under this model, generally,
but there are always ways to work around particulars.

So while I think thin clients are an interesting idea, and good for
certain environments, native applications are a requirement of the
$100 Laptop.

>  I talked about this in my blog here
You mention Netware in the blog entry. Novell has begun moving to a
Linux-based NOS and deprecating their own Netware system [1]. They
seem to think that Linux is sufficiently reliable, secure and scalable
for their (quite impressive) e-directory systems.

[1] http://www.networkworld.com/news/2006/032706-novell-oes.html?prl

Michael Burns
Oregon State University