Education Case Study: Open source software provides SIS database/server, online group calendar
West Plains
Missouri
United States
Grade Range:
Elementary
Website
Submitted by:
Richard Ingalls
Email: ringalls
glenwood.k12.mo.usHow things got started...
Needed webserver, email server, content filtering, SIS database/server, online group calendar, DHCP server, network firewall, backups (SAN), application & terminal server for classroom labs
Why Free Software?
open source solutions were readily available and free!
The plan...
First I downloaded and installed the K12LTSP.org distribution of RedHat Linux (now Fedora) onto a classroom server PC (Pentium 4, 2.4 Ghz, 1 Gb RAM, 36 Gb SCSI, 2 10/100 NICs). This server is in a language arts classroom and serves applications to 9 client PCs (old, refurbished Pentium II - 450 Mhz, 64 Mb RAM, 10/100 NIC) - mostly using OpenOffice and Mozilla. The install and deployment was fairly easy; very little configuring needed to be done. Webmin and VNC are used for administration purposes on all the GNU/Linux boxes. Next, I installed RedHat 8 along with Apache and Sendmail on another server PC (Celeron 533, 256 Mb RAM, 20 Gb IDE, 10/100 NIC). This PC is our webserver and email server. Easy install; almost no configuring needed to be done. Next, I installed RedHat 8 along with Squid and Dansguardian on another box (Celeron 533, 256 Mb RAM, 20 Gb IDE, NIC) to serve as a network-wide content filter. Some configuring for Squid and Dansguardian was necessary. Deployed a second K12LTSP server in another classroom. Same setup as the first one except on AMD 1500+, 512 Gb RAM, 40 Gb IDE, 2 10/100 NICs). Easy deployment. Having trouble using some older client PCs with it, though (Pentium 1 - 75 Mhz or AMD 150 Mhz, 32 Mb RAM, 10/100 NIC). Installed RedHat 8 on another box (Cel. 533, 256 Mb RAM, 20 Gb IDE, NIC) to server as a School Information System (SIS) server. Still in the configuration process, installing OpenAdmin. Should be deployed before the end of January 2004. Next on the "to do" list is the SAN server. Will probably use RedHat 8 on a Cel. 533, 256 Mb RAM, 3 - 20 Gb IDE drives, 10/100 NIC. Probably using rsync to backup data. Next is a network-wide firewall and DHCP server. Probably use old Pentium I machine for this running RedHat 8 command line mode (init=3).
Evaluation...
I had NO PRIOR LINUX EXPERIENCE! - only Microsoft. I had limited network administration experience. I have been pleased with the solutions I have deployed so far. All have been absolutely FREE $! My only complaint has been that I don't have any official support to contact for help issues. Instead, I have had to use the K12LTSP mailing list (k12osn@redhat.com) - which has been very helpful (and free). Or, I've had to do much research online Googling and reading documents from the Linux Documentation Project.
The Future...
Plan to deploy more classroom application/terminal servers using K12LTSP distro. I can build a fully functional classroom lab with a laser printer very inexpensively! At a fraction of the cost to do it using Microsoft or Apple proprietary software.
