Multiseating Windows through Linux

Question

I recently learned how to set up a multi-seat Linux machine, this appears to be the only cost-effective solution for the small school that would use this as a tiny computer lab. However, most students are not familiar with the Linux interface, and we need certain Windows software.

So, my thought was that a multi-seat framework could be set up with a lightweight Linux distribution, with each user running Windows through VirtualBox with Windows getting most of the disk space and computer power. Is this possible? If it is, how powerful a computer would I need to make it viable for say 8 users?

When you say "multiseat" you mean one CPU and multiple consoles, correct? — Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams, Oct 11 '10 at 23:00
Yes , each with a GUI, as seen here: http://www.linuxtoys.org/multiseat/multiseat.html — mindoftea, Oct 11 '10 at 23:19

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Oct 11 '10 at 23:47

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nComputing provides a native Windows solution to this problem. Schools get a discount on Windows licensing via a product called Windows MultiPoint Server, whereas businesses are expected to buy Windows Server 2008 licenses and RDS CALs.
It is also possible to share "client" operating systems like Windows XP using nComputing devices, but this violates your Windows license agreement unless you purchase the proper Windows Server licenses and keep them on file.

answered Oct 11 '10 at 23:47

Skyhawk

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We looked at nComputing and might go with that option, however we have a budget of around $1200 and a need for about 8 computers, so that seemed a bit expensive. – mindoftea Oct 12 '10 at 00:31

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 11 '10 at 23:58

It depends on the usage.

If you want to go with Windows within VirtualBox, you should probably get a licence for each running instance in theory (which may increase the cost more than you think). You can probably get away with 1GB per user with Windows XP but you'd need 2GB to 4GB with Vista or 7 (it really depends on what the users want to do). Remember that when you're sharing a machine, even if you have multiple cores, even if your CPU has the virtualization extensions, at least some of their cache will be shared and there will be some contention regarding memory access. It might not all be as smooth as you'd hope.

A solution based on Windows Server, perhaps with additional software, might be more appropriate.

I suspect you'd also need some rather specific hardware. The page you link to seems a bit outdated in that respect: 1GB of RAM for the whole machine and PCI graphics cards. I must admit I don't know if cheap hardware can cope with multiple graphics cards so easily nowadays.

I just meant that article for a general setup, we'd actually use a better, newer computer. — mindoftea, Oct 12 '10 at 00:13

Multiseating Windows through Linux

2 Answers2