In this setup, there is one central terminal server running Linux, and all the clients are diskless thin clients. These thin clients are capable of booting over the network (PXE) and have minimal hardware requirements (128 MB of RAM and a small CPU is enough). There are a number of important advantages to this system:

• Low purchasing costs: A diskless thin client can be very cheap (under $100,-)
• Low running costs: As the thin clients have little power needs, they are cheap to operate
• Low maintenance: No harddisks in the clients mean less failure
• Installing new applications is easy since they have to be installed once on the server. They are then accessible to all users
• Easy replacement of clients: There is no configuration or installation needed for the thin client. True plug and play!

The hardware recommendations for a setup like this are as follows:

Clients:

• Casing: Classrooms are public locations, making them vulnerable to theft. A computer casing for schools should have a lock, and it has to be designed in such a way that it can be screwed to a table, or on the back of a monitor.
• Motherboard: The motherboard should be fanless. For the rest, it can be any motherboard at all.
• CPU: All processing takes place on the server, so a small CPU is sufficient. Any x86 CPU of 500 Mhz. or more will do. It is recommended to keep power consumption as low as possible, so a AMD Geode or VIA C3 CPU would suffice.
• Memory: All memory usage is on the server. 128 MB or more is sufficient for the client
• Powersupply: As small as possible, preferably on board. If not on board, than a DC to DC board would be preferred.
• Power consumption: The computer in idle mode should not use more than 15 Watts, preferably somewhere around 10 Watts.

Server

• Casing: A server casing should allow for sufficient ventilation. It is preferably lockable and should be screwed to a table.
• Motherboard: A server motherboard is preferred. Either AMD or Intel sockets. Extra's are not important. SATA channels are preferred.
• CPU: A dual or quad core CPU is recommended1.
• Memory: Depends on the number of clients. 4 GB or more will be sufficient for a classroom with around 25 clients.
• Harddisks: It is recommended to introduce redundancy in the server. Two SATA harddisks of 80 GB or more in a RAID1 setup is preferred.
• Powersupply: Depends on the casing. A 80plus certified2 powersupply is recommended.
• Powerconsumption: Not really known yet. Powerconsumption should not surpass 150 Watts though.

This Wiki has an installation manual on how to set up Linux Terminal Server on openSUSE.