The Linux Schools Project |
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| Company / developer | "linuxgirlie" |
|---|---|
| OS family | Unix-like |
| Working state | Current |
| Source model | Open source |
| Kernel type | Monolithic |
| License | Various |
| Official website | karoshi.linuxgfx.co.uk |
The Linux Schools Project (formerly Karoshi) is an operating system designed for schools. It is a Linux distribution based on PCLinuxOS, itself based on Mandriva Linux.
TLSP uses prepackaged GUI scripts in order to simplify the install and configuration process for inexperienced users.
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TLSP was originally developed using Red Hat, early in the 2000s with the aim of making Linux adoption easier for schools in the UK. Linux, at the time, was considered difficult to use in educational environments where computing expertise mainly comes from teachers who are not dedicated IT staff.
With version 5.1.x, TLSP moved to the PCLinuxOS platform - but has since adopted Ubuntu in its place. The current production version of TLSP is 7.0.2.
TLSP is downloadable from their homepage. The installation steps require an initial install of Ubuntu, which the Live CD prompts to initiate. Following the machine reboot after installation of Ubuntu, the install of the TLSP system is initiated automatically.
TLSP is primarily aimed at educational environments, but is also suitable for use in a Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) business environment. The included systems are suitable for use as file and print, email, web and e-learning servers. By leveraging these technologies, it is possible to administer a complete network using the integrated web tools and by using some form of remote desktop technology.
The TLSP system is a scalable single or multi server system, comprising many features. Chief among these are the ability to act as a Primary Domain Controller in a Windows network. TLSP uses built in Samba and LDAP servers to store user, group and computer information, and emulates a Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 server system using these technologies, providing computer and user authentication, along with file and print services on the local network. TLSP creates a standard Windows domain for the local network, and names it linuxgrid.
TLSP uses KiXtart scripts to set up Windows XP clients on the domain, providing mandatory profiles to most users on the system. Roaming profiles can be used, but are not recommended, due to the heavy network overhead involved. Using mandatory profiles and folder redirection to mapped file shares on the server, allows every user to store his own files in his "My Documents" folder.
TLSP includes the Moodle e-learning package, and several website Content Management Systems, including Joomla! and Website Baker. eGroupware and Squirrelmail are built into the system, allowing for full calendar and email facilities. These can be installed on a standalone machine in the DMZ section, thus providing increased security on systems that are directly exposed to the internet[1].
Particularly interesting is the inclusion of WPKG, which enables the remote installation of software on Windows clients. By using a machine profile stored on the server, it is possible to install software packages, hotfixes, and security updates in the background. It is also very helpful in terms of creating machine profiles, allowing a 'blank' Windows XP machine to be updated automatically to a particular WPKG profile, once the machine is added to the domain.
This type of technology can be compared to the group policy mechanism in Windows Server 2003, particularly from a machine administration perspective. It is by no means a replacement for group policy, but is a step in the right direction.
TLSP is designed to use a specific Class B Private network IP address space, namely 172.30.0.0, with a 255.255.0.0 subnet mask. It is possible to use other address spaces, but it is not recommended. TLSP is designed to be scalable, and all of the servers use the same set of IP addresses to simplify network design and implementation.
It is difficult to integrate TLSP into an existing Windows network, without changing the address space to the standard one that is used by the TLSP system.
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