HP t5525 Customization Techniques on HP Compaq Linux Thin Clients - Page 10

Manually adding extra libraries for additional application support While not supported by HP, Linux-proficient IT professionals may install additional Linux applications and/ or drivers onto HP Linux thin clients. Keep in mind that you must compile additional applications and drivers on full Linux clients prior to installation, as thin clients have limited flash memory space and operating system tools. A few additional considerations include: • Flash size - Is there enough free space on the flash to support the application and/or driver plus the required support files? • Linux kernel versions - Many applications and drivers are sensitive to the kernel version they were compiled under. The HP Linux thin client kernel version is 2.4.25. • Compiler and C library compatibility issues - Many applications and drivers are sensitive to the com- piler and C libraries they were compiled under. The HP Linux thin client image is compiled with version gcc 3.3.2 using glibc version 2.3.2. When adding libraries or other files required for supporting additional applications or drivers, HP recommends installing the additional files into a separate and unique file directory and configuring the LD_LIBRARY_PATH variable to expose the files to the applications and/or drivers. HP recommends using the following steps to install the files and edit the path variable: • Add libraries and other support files to the /opt/lib Linux sub-directory. Note that you must create the lib directory. • Using the vi editor, modify the /etc/profile file and append the text /opt/lib to the end of the LD_LIBRARY_PATH variable to make the new library path available to the newly-installed application or driver known to the operating system. 10