On Tue, 23 Oct 2001, Glenn Cameron wrote:
"Chris Howells"
wrote: On Tuesday 23 Oct 2001 19:20, Glenn Cameron wrote:
I've got an old server and some machines not in use that could be useful for data-logging and internet access in a science lab. The machines don't have CD-ROMs so I'm thinking I either end up sticking a cd-rom in each machine to build it, or get the workstations to act as dumb terminals connect to the server - I have a 100mb switch and the machines have Intel pro cards in so should be acceptable speed. Any pointers on a good way to go forward, what to read and where to start?
OK, was wondering whether to go for a thin client structure but I guess we'd need to beef up the server quite a lot to make that viable. So I guess what I'd just like some pointers/advice on is how best to get started.
Don't guess! Get some figures of CPU load, etc. from your existing systems and/or other users. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Presumably install SuSE on the server, probably can manage that easy enough, but the issue then is how to set-up the workstations in a sensible way, in terms of installing the OS and the configuration. Is it a case of booting from a floppy and installing by nfs presumably, and then configuring each one individually or is there a better way to manage it all?
SystemImager is very good at building and maintaining lots of identical machines -- IMHO it solves a lot more of the problem than KickStart. See: http://systemimager.org/ Bob G