Symbio has revised its administrative software for diskless clients running LTSP (Linux Terminal Server Project) software. The Symbiont Management Suite 4 works with COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) PXE-bootable diskless thin clients from Symbio and others, as well as legacy PCs that have been redeployed as diskless LTSP workstations.

Additionally, Symbio says it will soon launch a certification program to help train and test LTSP users, administrators, and VARs.

The LTSP makes software that enables relatively small networks of diskless clients to boot and run applications from central servers. Symbio helps to maintain and distribute free software that can be used to centrally manage LTSP networks, and also markets the commercial Symbiont version through a network of resellers.

The Symbiont Management Suite 4

“The Symbiont” runs on a Linux server, but can push Windows and/or Citrix desktops out to clients running LTSP software. It provides a Web-based management interface that administrators can use to configure kernels for remote workstations, assign user privileges, and more.

Symbio says the latest version of The Symbiont features a new installer that lets users choose which components to load. Other new features include:

• Administrator can send messages to any user, or the whole network
• Support for removable storage media, for portability and security
• Up to three “sessions and screens” that support X, Windows Terminal Services (RDP), Telnet, Citrix, and other terminal emulators
• User profiles recognized by the system on client boot-up
• Remote power-up and -down from the workstation status page
• Workstation grouping, organized into customizable categories
• Enhanced subnet control, with the capability to view and modify the settings of network interface cards
• A new color scheme, layout, and graphics

Symbiont certification program

Symbio is working on LTSP training courses, with plans to offer a Technician certification based on a one-day course, and an Engineer certification based on a three-day course. The programs will cover The Symbiont, as well as LTSP software, and will begin in late 2005 or early 2006. The company says it will publish course syllabi and schedules online.

Symbio CEO Roger Del Russo said, “Diskless thin clients sell for much less than PCs [and] don't have energy-consuming drives or fans, or embedded software to be ravaged by viruses or become obsolete. [Since launching The Symbiont] in September of 2003, we have built a loyal and growing base of customers in education, local and state government, and businesses.”

 
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