Sun Ray Thin Client Information

What's a Sun Ray?

A Sun Ray is a simple device that displays a server-hosted virtual desktop. It has no hard drive, memory or operating system. The Sun Ray thin client is a product from Oracle and was chosen for: low cost, zero maintenance, central management, and easy access to Windows, Linux and Solaris operating systems.

Sun Ray thin clients are available in the following computer labs:

• Anderson Computer Lab
• B-C Infill Lounge
• Engineering Research Center (ERC) Electronic Classroom
• Internet Café
• LM Orion Design Studios
• LM Titan TLN Studio Classroom
• LM Viking Electronic Classroom
• Sun Microsystems Electronic Classroom

ID Cards and Smart Chips Work with Sun Rays

With your CSU ID card you can keep your login session active and take it with you to any Sun Ray on campus. Instead of logging in and out out with your login name and password, you simply insert your CSU ID card in any Sun Ray terminal and have your session back just the way you left it (including any programs that were running). You can purchase additional smart cards from the ENS offices or from the IEEE student organization for $8.

Engineering Software Available

Each Sun Ray thin client is connected to one of several Sun Ray servers which connect to a Windows server, Linux workstation or Solaris workstation. In general, the same engineering software is installed on the Windows servers through the Sun Rays that you will see on the Windows PCs in the labs.

Logging In

At the Sun Ray login screen, you have your choice of which desktop you would like to use:

• Lab Environment (Windows): This is for students to connect to servers with the Engineering software you need for your classes. In general, the same engineering software is installed here that you will see on the Windows PCs in the labs.
• Admin Desktop (Windows): This is the faculty & staff Windows desktop, which has all the necessary office applications. It does not include the engineering-specific software that students use.
• Classic Sun Ray (Solaris): This will switch to the "classic" Sun Ray login screen, which allows access to high-end Linux and Solaris compute servers.
• The "Other Services" section: This is how students access other college compute resources. Typically, only non-Engineering students will use this.

You are also able to use a Sun Ray thin client to log in to a remote compute server within the College of Engineering.

Windows, Linux or Solaris

Windows is accessible through the main login screen, by selecting either the Lab Environment or Admin Desktop. Selecting the Classic Sun Ray option will allow you to log in to a Solaris or Linux server. When you select your preference, the main Sun Ray server will redirect you to the least busy Windows or Solaris server (depending on your selection.)