[K12OSN] Which server would you prefer?

[Les Mikesell]

On Tue, 2005-04-26 at 11:30, The Prof wrote:
> > Does it have to *run* windows or just act as a windows file server?
> > The ppro could easily share /home via NFS to the k12ltsp users and
> > also samba-share the same and other directories to windows clients.
> 
> Well, this is to appease those who want a windows networked
> environment. The goal is to have the clients dual-boot, and if they
> boot into Windows XP then they'd be able to log in and have their
> desktop pulled down from the server and access all their files,
> settings etc. (just like ltsp). So I think it needs to run windows,
> not just a windows file server, non?

The Samba/LDAP setup that has been discussed on this list for a while
is perfect for dual boot clients.  If you set that up on the ppro
machine and add the users there it can act as a PDC for the windows
users and hold their desktops/settings if you want roaming profiles
and the same files will appear in their home directories when booting
into k12ltsp.  I'm not sure if the scripted LDAP setup will work on
Centos or not.  You might have to install k12ltsp on both boxes to
make the setup easy.
 
> > Unless you can find used memory for the ppro, you can't afford it.  The
> > 2 gig it has is fine for a file server (either way) and you'll be OK
> > with 4GB in the P4 for k12ltsp and oddly enough, new fast memory is
> > much cheaper.
> 
> I did not know that. I haven't started looking for the RAM because I
> am not sure of the specifics for the Proliant RAM. In addition, a
> question has been raised if it can actually support 8 GB, or only 4
> GB.

When you need more than a gig of RAM or SCSI drives, the add-ons can
easily exceed the cost of the base machine.  The ppro box may already
have a nice raid controller and hotswap drive carriers which are also
big ticket items. 

-- 
  Les Mikesell
   les at futuresource.com