Computer Advice: Multiple Internet terminals from one CPU?

[Emission]

At work, I am attempting to put together a kiosk for trade shows. It will allow four different users to access the Internet (independent sessions) to check e-mail in our booth via Windows XP/IE 7.0. The monitors and keyboards are going to be built-in to the kiosk.

My question:

Do I need four separate computers (motherboard/CPUs) inside to run the four individual stations, or can I get one “server” (one motherboard/CPU) located inside to run all of them simultaneously?

What hardware/software do I need?

Thanks in advance!

- Mike

[Joeaksa]

Mike,

Do not know of any way that you can connect four keyboards up to one computer, so would think that four separate computers linked together to a switch or hub then accessed to the internet.

No special software to access email. If they have Webmail thats fine, or use www.mail2web.com, which can access any email account worldwide.

Just my 2c worth and I did not stay at a Holiday Inn last night...

[slodave]

Linux based thin clients and a Linux server.

Each client is about $300.-, server can be made out of an inexpensive dell, maybe $400 - $500.-. OS is free

Dave

[Emission]

I need them to also access my web site via a simple user-friendly interface (aka IE 7.0). Stupid question to follow... Can Linux run IE?

[slodave]

Originally posted by Emission
I need them to also access my web site via a simple user-friendly interface (aka IE 7.0). Stupid question to follow... Can Linux run IE?

Not really, but it does run Firefox without a problem.

If you need to use IE, you can go the same route, but with Windows as the server and thin clients that are compatible. Cost goes up, but either way, the thin clients are solid state (Reliable), compact and low heat.

Dave

[Emission]

Reliability and heat are issues. I don't want to attend this thing (stand next it it).

Linux Client (300x4) = $1200
Linux Server = $450

Total $1650

Can't I get four '06-model PC's running XP for about the same?

My main concern is user-friendly (familiar OS) followed by reliability.

I need to read up on Linux.

- Mike

[Oracle]

Originally posted by Emission
It will allow four different users to access the Internet (independent sessions) to check e-mail in our booth via Windows XP/IE 7.0. The monitors and keyboards are going to be built-in to the kiosk.

What hardware/software do I need?

What you need is Windows Terminal Server plus a PC (cheapo) for each terminal.
WANG and DELL have some of those lightweight or solidstate MiniPC that boot off the server and have no moving parts or you can rent PCs for the duration of the show (this is very cheap).

Very easy and simple, the server doesn't have to be the beffiest server, any modern mid-level PC will be more than enough, especially the only app you'll be running is IE.
Windows terminal server have the controls to prevent the users from downloading and installing crap hence breaking your PCs.

Good luck!

[slodave]

Probably with Dell, but there will be increased issues. You will also need to install anti-virus (x4). You can turn Windows machines into "Kiosks" with some tweaks to the OS, but the savvy can still get around it and get a windows desktop.

With Windows, I'm sure you could set the whole thing up, but as you said, you don't want to stand buy it and I am sure you will have frequent problems.

With Linux, you don't need to worry about spyware/viruses and you can tighten it down so the user can't get outside of the web browser. If you are not familiar with Linux, initial setup would require someone else, but in the end maintenance will be low.

Dave

[Don Plumley]

In the DOS days we did this with an add-in board that had four monitor+keyboard and ports and software that would run four simultaneous sessions.

The problem is you are thinking of a minicomputer scenario (central CPU and dumb terminals) in a cheap PC world. But unless you were running TTY terminals, the cable length for a monitor/keyboard terminal into a host board becomes an issue.

So the simple solution is to buy four cheap PC's with a small CPU box, then use a router on the network cable.

[slodave]

Actually, embedded OS thin clients are the way to go. Station freezes or is infected (Windows), tech simply turns client off and then on.

[Don Plumley]

There are interesting thin client hardware solutions out there.

But for $, you will have to buy a keyboard, monitor and mouse, plus the thin client box and software. I'm guessing that will be about the same (or more) than a cheapy complete pc+monitor combo. Just set it up for the tradeshow, then after the show reformat the drive and reinstall windows. Just an idea for a path of least resistance solution for a temporary setup.

[HardDrive]

You guys are kind of missing the point. There are all kinds of thin client solutions we could come up with, but telling him to buy cheap old CPUs as the client defeats the purpose. He wants to cut down on workstations. (please note that I will telling him buy cheap old CPUs as a solution )

Mike, you could have a single server running either linux or windows, and then buy client hardware for each station on our display. The client hardware would consist of the terminal client device, a screen, and a mouse and keyboard. You can find terminal devices that are basically a screen with a mouse and key board hanging off.

Some examples can be found here:
http://www.espritsys.com/productthin.html

My advice? Scrap it. Go out and get some second hand compact dell CPUs off E-bay and just have full workstations. The time, energy and more importantly cost are just not worth it. You can find some very compact CPUs these days. Unless there was some kind of avant guard design that ruled out a PC, go the simple route.

If you DO decide to you want a Windows terminal services setup, PM me, I can walk you through the entire setup. Its not difficult.

[id10t]

Very doable, with a Real OS.

http://www.linuxtoys.org/multiseat/multiseat.html


Of course, you could just do X terminals using old hardware (486 or faster, 32mb or more of ram)

[Halm]

Why not go to the Dell Factory Outlet and grab 4 of the C521 boxes. They are $279.00 each. Add a 4 port Linksys router and free aVast anti-virus software and you're done.

[Emission]

Wow. Some great solutions!

Cost is important, but I'd rather do it right than have issues down the road that require me to fly somewhere and fix it.

I know several old PC's (PIII's) can easily support web browsers and offer an acceptable end user experience. However, PC's generate heat and can crash... There is a good chance I will need several of these, so I really don't want to rely on used eBay components.

I like the "thin client" approach, but it sounds complex...

I am going to work on some different specs/scenarios over the weekend.