[K12OSN] Server specs

Kemp, Levi lnkemp at bolivar.k12.mo.us
Wed Jan 23 18:34:07 UTC 2008


> -----Original Message-----
> From: k12osn-bounces at redhat.com 
> [mailto:k12osn-bounces at redhat.com] On Behalf Of Joe Korzeniewski
> Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 10:37 AM
> To: Support list for open source software in schools.
> Subject: Re: [K12OSN] Server specs
> 
>  When you mention preloading firefox, how would you go about 
> doing that? It may be a good idea to preload other common 
> apps such as Writer based on what kind of classroom you are 
> running the server in as well. I just can't think of a way to 
> preload apps automatically (i.e. if you run firefox from a 
> shell that has no display associated with it, it just fails). 
>  
> >>> "Nadav Kavalerchik" <nadavkav at gmail.com> 01/22/08 4:43 PM >>>
> How to DRASTICALLY speed up app response on K12LTSP 
> http://www.redhat.com/archives/k12osn/2007-October/msg00084.html
> (it helps)
> 
> also, use dual-core if you can.
> if all fails... use Opera. we use it and it's fastttttt ! 
> especially with KDE desktop (they share the same qt libraries 
> so it take less memory and less time to
> load)
> 
> you can pre load firefox or have a script that loads firefox 
> that does not load it the second time they click.
> 
> don't forget to use Squid proxy which helps even better.
> when all surf to the same site.

I'm going to look into this more later if I have time, but what did you
mean by using Squid proxy? Can it be used to cache pages that all the
students use? I know a lot of my teachers use web sites for Math and
Science lessons and all the students use them at one time. No one
complains about speed, but anything to improve there experience would be
great.

Levi

> 
> and add "Click Notification" (jumping icon) so they know the 
> click was accepted by the computer.
> 
> hope it help :-)
> 
> On 22/01/2008, James P. Kinney III 
> <jkinney at localnetsolutions.com> wrote:
> >
> > Looks like your RAM is sufficient but the cpu count is low. 
> If you can 
> > toss a dual core into the box, that will be the good. If 
> you can put 
> > in a quad-core, even better. I'm unclear on the specs of 
> the machine 
> > you listed.
> >
> > You will need to run the PAE kernel on the server to use 
> the 8GB most 
> > efficiently (I think that machine is 32-bit and not 64-bit). The 
> > 32-bit systems can't address more than 4GB RAM directly and the PAE 
> > kernels provide a workaround.
> > On Tue, 2008-01-22 at 07:14 -0500, Ronnie Miller wrote:
> > > I need a little help from those better informed than I. 
> I've got a 
> > > lab
> > of
> > > 28 terminals that is running on the Centos5 based LTSP. It's runs 
> > > fairly well, but there are speed issues with programs not loading 
> > > quick enough (mostly Firefox), which results in the kids clicking 
> > > the programs
> > multiple
> > > times, which in turn slows the server down even more. 
> There's also 
> > > intermittent problems with Flash, but from what I've been able to 
> > > determine from the archives, is not unusual.
> > >
> > > The existing server is a refurbed 3 Ghz Xeon 
> processor-based HP6000. 
> > > I upgraded it from 4 GB of RAM to 8 GB (which I found out 
> later was 
> > > pointless), in order to help the speed issues. The speed issue is 
> > > not a problem when one or two are trying to run different 
> programs. 
> > > The issues appear when you've got a room full of impatient first 
> > > graders who are "click happy". The teachers aren't real thrilled 
> > > about the problems and are grumbling about the K12LTSP 
> lab. I've got 
> > > another lab for 4th grade running the exact same setup 
> and the Flash 
> > > is not an issue with them as they don't use it much. As 
> far as speed 
> > > issues, they've been trained to click once and wait - not 
> to sit there continuously clicking.
> > >
> > > After all this explanation, my question is this: what 
> would be the 
> > > specs needed for a decent/sufficient server running Centos5 and 
> > > serving less than 30 terminals? I've got some money to 
> spend, but not a large amount.
> > >
> > > Am I right in assuming that it's not a memory issue as 
> much as it is 
> > > a processor issue? In other words, won't I be a lot 
> better off with 
> > > either multiple processors or a dual-core type processor?
> > >
> > > Thanks for any help on this matter. You've all been a 
> great resource
> > when
> > > I've needed you in the past.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Ronnie Miller
> > > Technology Specialist
> > > Seminole County Schools
> > > 800 S. Woolfork Ave.
> > > Donalsonville, GA 39845
> > > 229.524.5235 Ext. 227
> > >
> > > --
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> content by 
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> > >
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> > > https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn
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> > >
> > --
> > James P. Kinney III
> > CEO & Director of Engineering
> > Local Net Solutions,LLC
> > 770-493-8244
> > http://www.localnetsolutions.com
> >
> > GPG ID: 829C6CA7 James P. Kinney III (M.S. Physics) 
> > <jkinney at localnetsolutions.com> Fingerprint = 3C9E 6366 
> 54FC A3FE BA4D 
> > 0659 6190 ADC3 829C 6CA7
> >
> >
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