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

 

On Fri, Oct 14, 2005 at 11:22:36PM +0100, Tom Brough wrote:
> 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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> >
> > 
> >
> 
> 
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Hi Tom
Sorry my bad. I was under the impression this was for underpriveliged
schools, those who do not have access to computer hardware, so I was
worried about availability of spares when something breaks.

I agree thin clients are the way to go for administration - good luck on
your quest and well done for getting linux on the map :)

As an aside, on the issue of disk space ; it is not unheard of to mount
/usr from nfs. Maybe give that a try if you don't get the LTSP servers
in time. You should be able to get away with a slow pc serving files
instead of cycles.

Cheers,
John


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