[K12OSN] Re: Minimum Server Config

[Steve Hampton]

I just wanted to say that from my experience processing power can be just as 
improtant on the k12ltsp thinlient setup as RAM, depending on the use of the 
lab. You mentioned it is for a non-profit. What will they be using it for. 
Is it a lab for children to use, senior citizens, or employees of the 
non-profit? Factors such as that should weigh heavily into the design of the 
system you build. For example kids will be using lots of processing power 
since they enjoy the games. The Seniors will also, try running 
gnome-system-monitor while a couple of people are playing the computer in 
chess. If it is for employees to do daily tasks such as word prcessing, 
spreadsheet and other document creation then the processing demands do go 
down a bit except for when the programs are beig launched. I have noticed 
using gnome-system-monitor that when I have the students using thin clients 
in my class(7) all open the openoffice stuite at the same time the CPU stays 
maxed out till all the programs are open and then it goes back down. 
However, the RAM never goes above 1 GB when they are word processing. Here 
are specs on my system and it cost me $1900 to build over a year and a half 
ago.

Dual Xeons Processors @ 2.4 Ghz
Sony DVD-ROM
Sony 3.5" 1.44 MB Floppy
Intel Mother Board Model SE7505VB2
The Board has Dual Network Ports
one at 100MB/s the other is Gigabit ethernet
The board has onboard Silicon image RAID controler.
It also has onboard Yamaha sound.
550 Watt Fsp power supply
Western Digital 120 Gig SATA hard drive
Nvidia G-force FX 5200 video card
Intel Tower (black)

The thing I liked about this setup is that when I installed K12LTSP 3.1 and 
all versions since up to 4.2.1 where I currently reside. All the hardware 
just worked, I didn't have to fight with any driver configurations. Also if 
you decide to go with this setup. not sure why, but even though it is a dual 
processor board you must use the regular kernel not the SMP kernel. 
Appearantly on this board intel has linked the processing together at a 
level below the OS because the SMP kernel doesn't function correctly (been 
there, tried it, didn't work). If you are interested in where I purchased I 
can give you information but you should be able to surf and find all the 
different components.


-- 
Open Source, The Right Thing To Do!
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