What sort of hardware spec are your client machines - esp RAM and processor? Do you need to run X on them? Basic data-logging should be no problem on any machine able to run a kernel (upwards from 386 with 8M), but I assume that when you say internet access you mean a graphical browser under X? Do you want office type software? Staroffice needs a lot of RAM, so does KDE. Unless you decide to go totally thin-client, the best way to install CD-less PC's is to use a minimal boot floppy and install across the LAN from a CD/DVD mounted on the server. If your clients are a reasonable spec RAM-wise at least, you could for a server based install running local apps rather than full thin-client. ____________________________________ Giles Nunn - Network Manager Carms Schools ICT Development Centre Tel: +44 01239 710662 Fax: 710985 ____________________________________ On Tue, 23 Oct 2001, Glenn Cameron 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?
I don't 100% understand what you want to do with them. If it's just simple 'net access, and perhaps word processing/whatever, I'd do an install over
"Chris Howells"
wrote: the network, and just use them as standalone machines, although of course going over the LAN for 'net access.
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. 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? Sorry, if this all sounds a bit dim to everyone but although I use linux every day for e-mail and web services, I just don't have the experience on the desktop level so just need some pointers.
-- Glenn Cameron King Henry VIII School, Coventry
-- To unsubscribe, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-help@suse.com