On Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:50:21 -0700 (PDT)
damo <votefordamo@gmail.com> wrote:

[...]
> I wont have access to, or a budget for, high end server boxes.
> Instead I will be looking at buying more or less standard intel boxes,
> heaps of RAM and RAID 0+1 setups. What system specs should I
> realistically be looking at to achieve my goals? How would you
> implement this if it were you?

Sounds like you have a plan to me and I really see no holes in it based on
your post here. You would know best which systems would see the highest load at
your site. Since you will have to serve Micro$oft based client systems then you
will likely have to use SAMBA in all the cases you mentioned. Although it *is*
possible to get XP and newer to connect to a CUPS shared printer using IPP
without SAMBA. Just tell the 'doze box to connect to http://cups-server/printer
replacing "cups-server" and "printer" with the correct values at your site and
it should work. However if you want 'doze to automagically find network printers
then you will likely need SAMBA printer shares.

FWIW, my company custom builds PCs for people in North America needing x86
based Linux and Unix desktops and servers. If you are located in North America
maybe we could build yours? We would also provide "free" e-mail assistance for
the first 30 days after delivery. If you are not located in NA then perhaps you
can find a Linux system builder in your area that could help.

In any case it appears to me you are on the correct path to implement an OSS
solution at your academy.

Gene (e-mail: gene \a\t eracc \d\o\t com)
--
Mandriva Linux release 2007.1 (Official) for i586
Got Rute? http://www.anrdoezrs.net/email-25465...sbn=0130333514
ERA Computers & Consulting - http://www.eracc.com/
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