Note
If you experience issues or have suggestions, submit an issue! https://github.com/DaanSelen/ntos/issues I'll respond ASAP!
Nerthus Thin Operating System (NTOS).
What is it? What problem does it solve?
NTOS tries to solve the problem where enterprise-grade ThinClient operating systems cost a lot of money for relatively less features (in my opinion).
This is where NTOS comes in: - it is based on Debian for stability and security - it can run on as small of a harddrive as 4GB with 2GB RAM (tested) - and it is very minimal.
It (NTOS) specifically uses a Debian installation with a customized Desktop Environment (DE) (XFCE4) to minimize the points of "trouble" a user can cause.
It offers a way to connect to cloud environments (currently only RDP-based) in a easy and straight-to-the-point method using the Credcon (Bash script) 😁.
I added ways to set-up a server for installation (perhaps I can add PXE in the future). And a guide to get started! Feel free to open an issue or email me.
The following section explains how to apply this.
I also made a YouTube video here:
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A configured remote management system, such as MeshCentral (the installation of such a system is beyond the scope of NTOS).
Such a remote management system often provides a way to install an agent. To incorporate this into the NTOS installation do:
Paste your installation commands into the root part, for example:./configs/minimal/finish.sh at line 84 to 87.If you do not configure a remote management system, then your system will be hard to debug or trouble-shoot (because of the fool-proof nature).
Personally I've used MeshCentral which is free and works great! Link is here -
A Debian installation medium, such as an USB-stick with Debian net(work)-inst(allation) or the CD/DVD media flashed onto it. (For flashing see: rufus / Balena Etcher)
-
Networking connectivity. (DHCP is easiest and fastest)
- To set everything up, execute the
install.shbash script and answer its questions.
Once that's done, you can verify that with (configure to your own situation):
curl http://localhost/configs/minimal/preseed.cfg. Look at the webserver structure below for more info.
This should output the Debian preseed for the minimal configuration.
-
To install an NTOS-Client machine, first setup the NTOS-Server and make sure its reachable from the candidate machine.
After that boot from the Debian ISO image and select from the advanced options the (Graphical) Automated Install.
Now wait for it to get ready, and after that enter the address of NTOS-Server with the path of the configuration (look at the webserver structure below for reference).
The partitioning has to be done manually, if you have around 4GB you need to do some manual configurations but if you have more, you can safely do a guided install.
Now wait for the system to fully install itself, you'll know its done when you see the default XFCE4 Desktop Environment (DE). -
Open a Terminal window (you can select the one from the bottom dock). And execute the
finish.shscript of your configuration.
Normally done throughbash <(curl <your-NTOS-Server-address>/configs/<your-config>/finish.sh)(You might need to install curl first with apt).
Once you have done the previous bash command answer the questions given, and all should be configured.
To finish this all up, set a nice looking boot-up animation. My personal preference is to choose a theme from: adi1090x/plymouth-themes.
To set this up correctly follow the configuration for you specific hardware vendors, see the resources below:
- Debian Plymouth Wiki
- Arch Plymouth Wiki (for information). This is listed here for information. NTOS is based on Debian.
- Third-party Guide to set Plymouth up
If there are more cool animations. Let me know.
If you are encountering issues with - most likely connecting the actual RDP-session. Follow these steps!
Make sure you have exported the correct DISPLAY environment variable. Usually this is DESKTOP=:0.
The way I do this - is in MeshCentral I enter the Terminal tab and enter export DISPLAY=:0 as the user (latest finish.sh scripts append this to ~/.bashrc).
This makes sure all graphical apps pop-up on the actual monitor!
Then if you want to debug credcon.sh with logs do the following:
bash /opt/ntos/credcon.shThis will print the output to the current terminal, while keeping the GUI/Dialogue boxes on the monitor!
Example output:
user@NTOS:/opt/ntos# bash credcon.sh
Starting loading bar
# 1%
# 2%
# 3%
# 4%
[16:39:02:892] [8315:8327] [ERROR][com.freerdp.core] - freerdp_tcp_connect:freerdp_set_last_error_ex ERRCONNECT_DNS_NAME_NOT_FOUND [0x00020005]
# 5%
[16:39:02:946] [8315:8327] [ERROR][com.freerdp.core] - rdg_establish_data_connection:freerdp_set_last_error_ex ERRCONNECT_ACCESS_DENIED [0x00020016]
[16:39:02:891] [8315:8327] [INFO][com.freerdp.core.nego] - Detecting if host can be reached locally. - This might take some time.
[16:39:02:891] [8315:8327] [INFO][com.freerdp.core.nego] - To disable auto detection use /gateway-usage-method:direct
[16:39:02:891] [8315:8327] [INFO][com.freerdp.core.nego] - Detecting if host can be reached locally. - This might take some time.
[16:39:02:891] [8315:8327] [INFO][com.freerdp.core.nego] - To disable auto detection use /gateway-usage-method:direct
# 6%
# 7%
# 8%
# 9%
# 10%
xfreerdp terminated early (less than '30' seconds).
# 11%
...counting up (omitted because it takes up more space than needed.)
# 23%
The above example shows a ACCESS_DENIED error.
When encountering an off-sync background image, which can happen when you install the system fully with one monitor and connect a second one after.
Do the following:
su user -c "bash /opt/ntos/bg-sync.sh"This will sync the image present at /opt/ntos/desktop.png to all connected monitors.
The Bash install.sh-scripts are there for copying the needed files to the specificied location on the system, preferably from a webserver root into the /opt/ntos directory.
The following endpoints are available by default after installing using install.sh (assuming success). This is needed for the new machine to set itself up.
--- Complimentary Assets
/assets/bg-sync.sh # This bash script can sync the background images. Sometimes images are off-sync when connecting a second monitor.
/assets/desktop.png # This file will be used as the background for the installed device. Replacing must be done by exactly coping the name + filename extension.
/aseets/gtk.css # This file applies some styling to make the UI look more modern and appealing.
/assets/panel-profile.tar.bz2 # XFCE4 Panel profile.
--- Credcon
/credcon/credcon.sh # Bash script for asking user credentials (for the RDP connection).
--- Configs
/configs/minimal/preseed.cfg # The Debian preseed file for the minimal configuration (~4GB).
/configs/default/preseed.cfg # The default Debian preseed file.
/configs/minimal/finish.sh # The Bash script that applies all settings with a modification for support on small drives.
/configs/default/finish.sh # The default bash script.
--- RDP Directory
/rdp/<your-rdp-templates> # Directory endpoint for premade '.rdp' files (for example /rdp/demo.rdp). You NEED to populate this yourself.
The above /rdp endpoint requires you to place premade .rdp files in the directory before running setup.sh.
Then the finish script will ask for which one to pick.
I am happy I am finally able to present something I am actually very fond of, this project.
I've tried to make this environment as fool-proof as possible so that non-technical people can work with this. I always appreciate feedback.
Thanks