LTSP Modes of Operation
The mode of operation depends upon whether we have an existing DHCP server in the network or not. If we have an existing DHCP then we don't want LTSP setup to provide DHCP services. Since it could create trouble in our network. LTSP offers 2 modes of operation:
It means LTSP server also provides DHCP service to the clients. Its has dnsmasq installed and cofigured inside it. It also has a NAT configuration which by default configured inside the vagrant box. Thus, LTSP server acts as a gateway to the internet for the clients. User can specify standalone mode of operation by putting a yes in STANDALONE variable in settings.sh file
There is a LAN in the classroom but there is no gateway or internet connection, no dhcp server, and so on. It is just a switch/hub where all the computers are connected with network cables. The laptop of the teacher is also connected to this hub, but it also has a wifi network interface and it can access the Internet through it.
In this case the teacher should start the LTSP server in the standalone mode, since it is going to provide all the services to the clients, including automatic IP configuration through DHCP and access to the Internet (being a gateway).
It means LTSP server will not provide DHCP services to the clients. As there is an existing DHCP server present in the network. In this case LTSP server is not the gateway to the internet. In this case the network interface of LTSP server must have fixed IP also, it should belong to same network as range given by the DHCP server. DHCP server will then provide IP address to the client and then client can boot from the LTSP server. User can specify standalone mode of operation by putting a no in STANDALONE variable in settings.sh file.
Example - lets say DHCP server is the network 192.168.12.0/24. Then LTSP server should also be in the same network.
There is a LAN of computers, where all the computers are connected to a switch/hub, and they all can access the Internet through a gateway, which also gives them DHCP service (automatic IP configuration). The computer/laptop of the teacher is also connected to this LAN through a network cable.
In this case the teacher should start LTSP in the normal mode, which means that it will not offer IP configuration and gateway service to the clients, but only LTSP services (booting from network, etc.)