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Re: [LUG] Major distress call ....

 

John Botwright wrote:

On Thu, Oct 13, 2005 at 08:10:08PM +0100, Tom Brough wrote:
Its as simple as that.... 2 servers is all I'm asking preferable at least 1Ghz processor / 1 Gbyte memory and some decent disk space.

Hope I don't sound too pessimistic, but what happens if the psu in the
server dies? Wouldn't it be better to have all the units standalone?
Nop just buy another PSU. But I appreciate its a single point of failure. Id like three servers one for standby but I have nt got time or money to be fussy. 30 x Install, updates / maint. vs. 1 server 1 software set, infinate number of users, plus the sustainability factor, sure you may need to replace or augment the servers, but the terminals will go on running .... and running and running.... no mater how much the software gets bloated, isnt that worth doing ?

Technically there is no reason why a terminal shouldnt last a 30+ years.

Already Im running into problems installing a "low profile" debian based gui on the first G6-300 because it only has 2Gb drive. If I had the terminal servers I wouldnt even need to try.

As for the adminstrator at the other end, Im sure he/she would prefer to have one machine to maintain rather than 30.

L - for long life
T - for Tried and tested
S - for sustainable
P - for Perfect (well nearly)

Besides I would be interested in knowing how you are going to maintain and syncronise hundreds of user accounts across 30 isolated systems. No you need a network and central adminstration, which means a server, which means a single point of failure. So the risk is equivalent on a traditional network or an LTSP, and totally unworkable on a standalone model.

Do the research, and try it out for yourself , then you might find out why there is no need to be pessimistic :-)

If your intention is to provide a standalone computer for someone who "stands alone" then use a standalone configuration. If you want to provide a clustered desktop in a classroom, training room or office environment then seriously consider LTSP. As the americans say it gives you more bang for your buck.

Any offers of servers please post me of group.

Thanks.

Tom.


... If I dont get the servers I will have to slave away for the next 30 days installing debian on each one individually (Yuck (not debian just the thought of installing so may boxes)).


Try http://www.informatik.uni-koeln.de/fai/ it has information on
sutomated debian installation for hundreds of PCs at a time.


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