Re: Real multi-user linux

James Simmons (jsimmons@infradead.org)
Fri, 13 Jun 2003 22:54:51 +0100 (BST)


> > > So, instead of trying to add more and more terminals to a single box,
> > > you could stick with four-headed X servers, which would probably be
> > > more scalable.
>
> > The biggest limitation is the PCI bus. Only so many cards can go in. I
> > guess you could fill the machine up with graphics cards and go with
> > external USB audio and TV tuner cards. One to match each graphics card.
>
> No need:
>
> A single machine can support four displays, keyboards, and mice easily. We
> can use such machines as X servers for four people. Each one can be connected
> via Ethernet to the Linux supercomputer. That way you get the cost advantages
> of the multi-headed setup, with the scalability of the X server setup. I think
> you could scale to 64 or 128 users like that.

Basically you are describing a thin client kind of model. I like to
create
high end thin clients but I don't have any funding. Currently thin
clients don't have the power to do multi-media as well as PCs.
I did everything so far with my own money and time. I don't think we
need a supercomputer. Here is a idea but it would require a good amount
of work. Create a X server that runs on one remote server and it programs
the hardware remotely. Now that would save enormously. I started to work on
this but didn't have time. Just some ideas to throw at you.

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