Linux Desktop Multiplier Approved for Indiana ACCESS Program Funding
"Rather than deploying a single computer lab of 20 or 25 computers, we were able to use the Multiplied SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop Strategy to maximize our inACCESS funding and deploy over 100 stations," said Greg Long, IT Director for Community Schools of Frankfort. "This has served to improve our computer-to-student ratio and get Linux and open source technologies into our schools."
Overview
More than 110,000 Indiana students now have access to low-cost Linux desktops thanks to a state grant program called Affordable Classroom Computers for Every Secondary Student (ACCESS). The inACCESS program aims to improve computer-to-student ratios in schools by fostering more affordable and sustainable approaches to desktop computing.
Community Schools of Frankfort, an Indiana-based school corporation with 3,300 students, implemented the 'Multiplied' SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop Strategy to maximize their desktop budget and inACCESS funding. With the Linux Desktop Multiplier, powered by Userful, six students are able to work at the same time on each of their Linux desktop computers. While this may sound like a thin client server, it's actually just a regular desktop PC connected directly to full-featured 'thick' clients consisting of a monitor, keyboard and mouse.
The end result – improved performance, better multimedia support and cost savings of up to 70-80% on hardware, management, network infrastructure and electricity.
The Challenge
K-12 school districts across the country are faced with a number of challenges:
- How to maximize their fixed desktop budget
- How to integrate desktop computing into the curriculum
- How to deploy affordable and easy-to-manage desktops
- How to increase student access to computers in classrooms and computer labs
- How to increase their computer-to-student ratio
- How to leverage low-cost/no-cost open source software
- How to leverage existing network wiring, Internet drops and electrical in classrooms
- How to re-purpose existing PC hardware that is not Vista compliant
"ESI Technology Advisors, an Indiana-based Novell Platinum Partner and Omni Authorized Partner, introduced us to the Linux Desktop Multiplier as an affordable and sustainable way to maximize our inACCESS funding to deploy Linux desktops in our classrooms," continued Long. "We decided to give it a try."
The Solution
"In each of our classrooms, we have desks with a top that opens up," said Long. "This brings up a monitor on a ledge and a USB keyboard and mouse."
"For each group of five or six users at the desk, we have secured a single SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop system with the Linux Desktop Multiplier installed on it. Effectively, a single machine provides six completely independent user sessions for our students. Each student logs in normally and authenticates to our Novell network through the Novell Client for Linux. Students are able to connect a USB audio headset or memory key to their keyboard to listen to audio files and save files locally."
"Rather than deploying a single computer lab of 20 or 25 computers, we were able to use the Multiplied SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop Strategy to maximize our inACCESS funding and deploy over 100 stations. This has made the biggest possible difference in our computer-to-student ratio. This strategy also helped us introduce Linux and open source technologies into our schools."
The Results
"We believe this approach to be far more affordable and sustainable than building new labs or deploying stand-alone desktops or laptops for students," said Long. "Our classrooms now double as computer labs."
"The Linux Desktop Multiplier has helped us reduce our hardware costs by more than 60%, conserve space, reduce our electrical bill and C02 emissions. We are also saving a lot of money on reduced network infrastructure requirements and management costs in our environment."
"The full Linux application stack is available to our users – openOffice, Firefox, Evolution, GIMP, Inkscape, Tuxpaint, Adobe PDF reader and writer, Flash player, RealPlayer for Linux – to our students."
"We are pleased with our decision and would recommend that other school corporations in Indiana consider the Linux Desktop Multiplier for their Linux desktop roll-outs."