Lhs-workstation build

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Revision as of 15:29, 15 April 2019 by Simon Hewison (talk | contribs) (lhs-workstation build)
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lhs-workstation build

Around the Hackspace are a number of general purpose computers that run Ubuntu Linux. These machines are configured using a scripted configuration using ansible and PXE boot. As such they are as similar as possible.

This build is sufficient for

  • web browsing (Google Chrome, Firefox),
  • general office applications (LibreOffice),
  • CAD packages (FreeCAD, Blender3D, KiCAD)
  • Graphics Design packages (Inkscape, Gimp)
  • Coding (atom, arduino IDE, Scratch)
  • HAM radio
  • Printing
  • Viewing media (VLC)

Certain other applications may be installed depending on connected hardware.

Login using a LHS LDAP account, which will give you a networked home directory that is common across all the machines with the lhs-workstation build. Data on here is not backed up. If you haven't got around to setting up an LDAP account, you can still use them using the Guest login from the login screen. Any files you create here will be wiped on logout.

There is no 'sudo' access to most users; they're shared workstations, and are set up so that you can expect to find them in a known state. If you find you need root access, then it is suggested that you use a Linux live distribution or find another machine.

If you're new to Ubuntu Linux, and looking for all the applications, you can find them by clicking on the 9 dot icon in the bottom left, or pressing the 'Windows' key on the keyboard.

If you're logged in as yourself, then USB storage devices (flash memory sticks) should show up in the Nautilus file manager as automatically mounted. Eject and remove them before logging out.

If you deploy a new machine, or feel that one needs re-imaging, boot using PXE network boot, and chose the "Install Ubuntu 18.04LTS LHS Workstation Config *DANGER* AUTOINSTALLS - formats disks!" option. Someone with access to Ansible will need to complete the install once the base OS install is done, including registering the machine with a static lease in DHCP, adding to DNS and adding to ansible. If it's a rebuild, they will also need to learn the new SSH keys.