[K12OSN] K12LTSP 3.2 for RHEL, LDAP config wishlist ..

[Andy Rabagliati]

On Sun, 29 Aug 2004, Les Mikesell wrote:

> On Sun, 2004-08-29 at 12:54, Andy Rabagliati wrote:
> 
> > uucp (the server, or slave) has two modes - an endless loop on
> > login/password prompts on port 540, that use /etc/uucp/passwd as a
> > plaintext authenticator, which I currently use, and a user that invokes
> > uucico as a shell, which uses regular (including LDAP) pam auth.
> > 
> > I should use the latter.
> 
> If you are running over tcp instead of serial/modems, is there
> some reason to continue using uucp instead of the more
> typical (for this century anyway...) network operations
> (smtp mail, ftp, ssh/scp)?

I am running over TCP.

I am delivering email for a domain (the school) to a dynamic dialup.

Thus SMTP ( whose ultimate target is the MX - fixed IP) is unsuitable.

I choose UUCP, because the caller can request delivery of the mail,
from a dynamic dialup, even.

I use dyndns for UUCP delivery as well. Often it is about staying
out of mainstream protocols for safety.

However, the main reason I choose UUCP is that I can carry the UUCP
spool directories via a UUCP memory stick to somewhere that does not
have, or cannot afford, dialup connectivity.

If I can run the service over UUCP, it will run over UUCP-on-a-stick.

I use wwwoffle - and UUCP - to deliver scraped websites to locations
(schools) that cannot afford dialup.

I also take a regular snapshot of wikipedia (.org) and put it down
at such schools. It is an experience close to WWW, for kids that
have experienced neither wikipedia nor WWW.

For folks in the 1st world, it is often hard to imagine what it was
like to not have cheap 24hour connectivity. If you knew UUCP, it
/ruled/ at a time when American connectivity was at the same evolutionary
step as Africa's connectivity now (especially around price).

It was developed by people (at the time) who cared about price and
service - in the same environment. I do not feel like re-inventing
the wheel - it worked fine before.

I do need LDAP auth though. The Shuttleworth Foundation are putting in
the computer labs ( http://slug.org.za/ ) - and leveraging heavily
(of course) off LTSP. I am adding WWW and email to those classrooms.
The hurdle is mostly the teachers. We are sorting out the technology.

Cheers,   Andy!

http://wizzy.org.za/