internet cafe proposed network infrastructure? advice plz.

Lex

Lex

Lex

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Can you guys give me some advice on a proposed network infrastructure for simple internet browsing.

the scenario is as follows.

5 environments for accessing the internet
1 server to allow the environments to access and route through to the internet.

I am wondering if i can use 5 dumb terminals and have them access a 'dumb terminal server' that will allow the users to access and browse the internet independent of one another. Can someone give me this proposed plan in a little detail as i'm not sure how the server does this.
 
I would be tempted to use another PC (or server) to act as gateway and web proxy using something like ClarkConnect (a linux based product).

We use it at work and it's very capable and scalable - it can do just about anything web related, just google it and you'll see. It's also very cheap to subscribe for anti-virus / anti-spam / web filters etc etc

It's very easy to configure having a web interface in which you can very easily block sites, check logs and usage stats etc

All in all a very good piece of kit:D
 
I think i need someone to expand on this dumb terminal idea of mine. is it possible? So the 5 people who want to browse are just using a monitor, mouse & keyboard which are connected by something like a KVM switch etc into the server?
 
If you're keen on the dumb terminal idea, or at least thin clients then you probably want to look into desktop virtualisation, it's well established tech and big business for companies like Citrix and VMware.
 
You could use a couple of cheap wyse terminals from Ebay and let them connect via a RDP session to a terminal server
 
Daegan said:
If you're keen on the dumb terminal idea, or at least thin clients then you probably want to look into desktop virtualisation, it's well established tech and big business for companies like Citrix and VMware.
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I am big on that. But i need to know how i get all the 5 users to access the internet from their 'environments' (hoping its just monitor mouse and keyboard) and onto the server PC independently of one another.

I need a solution for that OR do these 5 users HAVE to have a workstation each? I really don't want that though.
 
You need some sort of thin client with built in RDP to do it that way, as suggested above.

You can't just connect 5 monitors, keyboards and mice to one computer and use them independently.
 
You can't just connect 5 monitors, keyboards and mice to one computer and use them independently.
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that's not strictly true, there are linux distro's out there that will take one base unit with a bunch of video adaptors and usb controllers and a allow you to 'multi-head' the workstation providing multiple sessions to individual screens keyboards and mice. i can imagine it being quite tricky to setup, however!

if it were me setting this up i would probably avoid the terminal server idea, and just get a bunch of workstations, set them up how you want them, then use something like deep freeze to revert them back to 'default' when they are restarted. then, for the gateway, use something like untangle to give you proper unified threat management and protect the network from internet bourne garbage and also govern what people can and can't get to using the web filter etc.

hope this helps.
 
Each user will should haev a thin client as csmager stated, then you will probably want to setup a terminal server if you want to give them desktop access, or just run the browser from the thin client itself.

The clients can be locked down as much as required.

Have a look at igel :)
 
Thanks guys i am going to research a bit but keep the ideas coming because i'm looking to opt for the most cost effective yet efficient choice of the lot.

I'm keen on the users not having a workstation (zero client) and rather a thin client. But if it is just easier then maybe a tiny workstation maybe able to do the job if i can just hide it away.
 
You could always run some little netbook desktop equivalent as the "desktop" but I think its much easier to lockdown thinclients and they are cheaped due to them running linux (some of).
 
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Sp00n said:
You could always run some little netbook desktop equivalent as the "desktop" but I think its much easier to lockdown thinclients and they are cheaped due to them running linux (some of).
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thats very interesting....a netbook equivalent! I think the problem would be that these thin clients wouldnt then be able to run word documents etc...would have to use open office or something simliar?
 
I'd avoid the terminal server idea too. Running 5 different X servers and messing about with 5 sets of keyboards and mice is just too much hassle in my opinion. Lots more cables too.
Just pick up 5 dirt cheap PCs and use BOOTP to boot them into a stripped down Linux distro with a web browser and possibly a few other bits. They'll be wiped every time they reboot so there's very little to worry about in terms of security. Maintenance is easy as you just modify the image on the server and all the clients will boot into it. Also cheap to pick up the PCs and can all be done with free software.

Out of interest why do you want to avoid workstations?
 
russ0r said:
I'd avoid the terminal server idea too. Running 5 different X servers and messing about with 5 sets of keyboards and mice is just too much hassle in my opinion. Lots more cables too.
Just pick up 5 dirt cheap PCs and use BOOTP to boot them into a stripped down Linux distro with a web browser and possibly a few other bits. They'll be wiped every time they reboot so there's very little to worry about in terms of security. Maintenance is easy as you just modify the image on the server and all the clients will boot into it. Also cheap to pick up the PCs and can all be done with free software.

Out of interest why do you want to avoid workstations?
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it was at the request of the customer i was trying to adhere to his commands but was some what sceptical as don't think he has the finds for that type of infrastructure. Might be interesting going the linux route....What distribution could i download that i would be allowed to use on 5 machines?

Also can you go a little bit into the whole reboot with a fresh install malarky plz...
 
Do not do terminal server, its not worth the licensing issues let alone any software incompatibilities/troubles.

Most of the web is chock full of media now, be it video, flash, audio and TSing that would severely hamper the quality and experiance.

Sounds like you do not have all of the technical know how to deploy a TS and configure it from the ground up so you would probably end up paying someone more than it would cost you to just roll out base spec desktops.

Look at some imaging software if you want to easily deploy/redeploy to thick clients, there is even a software product that will re-image a desktop as soon as a user shuts down the PC and it reboots for a new user. I forget the name, I can dig it out if you are interested in this.
 
Sin_Chase said:
there is even a software product that will re-image a desktop as soon as a user shuts down the PC and it reboots for a new user. I forget the name, I can dig it out if you are interested in this.
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MS Steadystate or Faronics Deep Freeze. MS steady state also lets you lock down the desktop.

I'd agree. Since he's asking you to set this up it's obvious your mate doesn't have the skills to support a terminal setup. Even if it'll be more reilable, when it does go wrong it'll cause more grief. Go for something nice and simple, and then he'll be able to easily find someone who can fix it (even if you've run off to join the circus).

He needs to get some basic PCs, or even some ex lease PCs and router and maybe some setup for logging. You could also look at iTalc, to control and monitor the PCs remotely.
 
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As Sin Chase has said, full directshow (video) remoting is not with us yet which will make the user experience on site like youtube very poor. This should be fixed in Windows 7 which can "remote" directshow video streams :)

Virtual desktop (VDI) is more the kind of thing you should be looking at for the time being.
 
Sin_Chase said:
Do not do terminal server, its not worth the licensing issues let alone any software incompatibilities/troubles.

Most of the web is chock full of media now, be it video, flash, audio and TSing that would severely hamper the quality and experiance.

Sounds like you do not have all of the technical know how to deploy a TS and configure it from the ground up so you would probably end up paying someone more than it would cost you to just roll out base spec desktops.

Look at some imaging software if you want to easily deploy/redeploy to thick clients, there is even a software product that will re-image a desktop as soon as a user shuts down the PC and it reboots for a new user. I forget the name, I can dig it out if you are interested in this.
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lol don't make assumptions (regarding technical knowhow). I was asking for peoples opinions i have ideas of my own and i did mention what i'd like to try.

will get back to this discussion shortly. I have been rather vague as i didnt want to influence the direction of ideas.
 
I've set up a few internet cafes. Basic workstations which can be got cheap used from auction sites and usually have a windows 2000 or windows xp license so most users would feel very comfortable using.
Then deepfreeze and Voila. easy as.
 
You can buy used small form factor Dell optiplex 755 workstations for cheap (<£150 for a core2 models). They are low power, compact and reliable and look pretty enough for most coffee shop environments - clunky beige boxes could really ruin the atmostphere
 
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