I need to build 6 PCs and a server that's stable, fast, networked and cheap.

[bupkus]

I've been asked by the owners of a small school/daycare to set up 6 PCs in a room for kids ages 6-11 using software that's both educational and entertaining. I need to keep the price down or all they'll have is 3 computers. I need recommendations for:

• mainboards

• memory

• CPUs

• OSs

// I have W98, W2KPro, NT4.0 Server, and LINUX 😎

I just now got a call from the owner. He wants to have this done in 4-6 weeks. He's concerned about stability.
Look, I'm not an experienced administrator. I've never done this, but I think if I could network all these together to a server so they boot off the server I could eliminate the cost of 6 harddrives and more importantly I wouldn't have to go there and reconfigure every other day.
So if you've done this before do you think this can work, considering the type of software (no 3D) we'll be using. The owners are afraid of internet access because of possible exposure to adult materials so that may be out.

Now about that server, which OS would you suggest? I'm open to anything. How about a mobo w/ onboard RAID?
Could we boot off the server or would that be too slow?

Is it possible to set these desktops up with Win98 but keep the kids from doing anything but run the approved software from the server?

Man, I need to read some more books.

 

[Diable]

For the clients use the following parts:

Motherboard - Epox EP 8K7A
Memory - 256MB Legacy PC2100 DDRAM
CPU - 1.0GHz Duron
0S - Win2K Pro

Total - $179

Add a cheap NIC to the above parts and the computer will last the school years since educational software isn't taxing. I would also add in the cost of a cheap 20GB hard drive since configuring dumb terminals can a pain.

For the server use the following parts:

Motherboard - Intel D845BGL
Memory - 2x256MB Legacy PC2100 DDRAM
CPU - 1.6AGHz P4
0S - NT4.0 Server or Linux

Total - $384

The above parts will make a nice base for a very stable file server. For the amount of traffic those clients will generate you don't need RAID for speed but you may want it for piece of mind. A couple of fast IDE drives in a RAID-1 array could save you from having to tell them there information is lost because one of the drives failed. I would only use Win98 for the clients if there software wouldn't run on Win2k also with Win2K you could configure them so no one could change anything on the clients without the admin's password. Hope that helps.

 

[cleverhandle]

<< Is it possible to set these desktops up with Win98 but keep the kids from doing anything but run the approved software from the server? >>



There's security software out there for the educational community, but anything usable costs. Foolproof is one such package that I've used. It's actually pretty damn good provided that the administrator sets it up properly - I attribute stories of getting past it to administrative incompetence. Security-wise, it would be a lot easier just to use 2K, but you would want to check that your software runs under it - a lot of that stuff was built for the home market, and might not be NT-kernel compatible.

 

[Windogg]

I hope you are not considering pirating software. Even though it would seem charitable it can be a major headache for the school. Include the price of legal software. If you do not know how to properly setup a secure server, ask an expert. Improperly setup servers are lead to 99% of those "Damn Microsoft sucks" and "Unix is so hard" problems. A server is only as stable and secure as the administrator. W2K Pro has many features that allow setting of local policies. W2K w/ active Directory give even more flexibility with group policies and OUs. Having a proxy server like Squid, Proxy 2.0, or ISA will allow filtering and control of access to the internet. Various commercial packages are also available.

As for mainboards, get something based on the VIA PLE133 (For Socket370) or the KLE133 (For Socket 462). Both include 8MB Trident Blade video (Similar to Matrox G200), AC97 audio, and 10/100 ethernet. Both can be had for about $50 - $55. Consider factors like noise and heat. I usually go with the Celerons for those reasons. Plus they fit into smaller microATX cases with 145w power supplies. No additional cooling fans are needed. Paired with a 20GB Seagate Barracuda IV, the systems are silent. Since these are for younger kids, consider various PlaySkool peripherals. I always go with them when i work for schools because they are made smaller to fit kids' hands and are rugged to put up with less than gentle kids.

Windogg

 

[bupkus]

<< I hope you are not considering pirating software. Even though it would seem charitable it can be a major headache for the school. Include the price of legal software. >>


I've offering my work entirely free so I won't make a dime. The owners will pay for everything so there is no motive on my part to pirate any software. Oh, the "cool" smilie face is because I think Linux😎 is cool. I wish we could use the Debian Jr. configuration.


<< If you do not know how to properly setup a secure server, ask an expert. Improperly setup servers are lead to 99% of those "Damn Microsoft sucks" and "Unix is so hard" problems. A server is only as stable and secure as the administrator. W2K Pro has many features that allow setting of local policies. W2K w/ active Directory give even more flexibility with group policies and OUs. Having a proxy server like Squid, Proxy 2.0, or ISA will allow filtering and control of access to the internet. Various commercial packages are also available. >>


I wish we had an expert who could help me do all of this. I'm looking through a copy of Using MS Windows 2000 Professional and I'll try to get a copy of a book for NT 4.0 Server from the local library. I have a month to build, configure and deploy.
Fortunately, I have AnandTech to turn to... fingers crossed.


<< As for mainboards, get something based on the VIA PLE133 (For Socket370) or the KLE133 (For Socket 462). Both include 8MB Trident Blade video (Similar to Matrox G200), AC97 audio, and 10/100 ethernet. Both can be had for about $50 - $55. Consider factors like noise and heat. I usually go with the Celerons for those reasons. Plus they fit into smaller microATX cases with 145w power supplies. No additional cooling fans are needed. Paired with a 20GB Seagate Barracuda IV, the systems are silent. Since these are for younger kids, consider various PlaySkool peripherals. I always go with them when i work for schools because they are made smaller to fit kids' hands and are rugged to put up with less than gentle kids. >>


Thanks for your very thorough rundown. I'm gonna take a real hard look at everything you said.

 

[BreakApart]

<< I've been asked by the owners of a small school/daycare to set up 6 PCs in a room for kids ages 6-11 using software that's both educational and entertaining. I need to keep the price down or all they'll have is 3 computers >>


You didn't mention what your budget is? Hard to find you the best route/options without knowing your budget goals.




<< I've never done this, but I think if I could network all these together to a server so they boot off the server I could eliminate the cost of 6 harddrives and more importantly I wouldn't have to go there and reconfigure every other day. Is it possible to set these desktops up with Win98 but keep the kids from doing anything but run the approved software from the server? >>



What you described above is almost EXACTLY what a terminal server does. (everything runs ON the terminal server not the client pc's) However this would require someone with server/TS experience to setup. (but you said your willing to learn right?) A terminal server setup may be the best in the long run. Total control of the client machines, only 1 machine needs power, so if things ever got slow all you do is upgrade the terminal server machine and all client machines run faster. However with this setup someone would need to test all require programs to make sure they can be run off the terminal server correctly.

Read up on it :
www.k12ltsp.org
k12ltsp.org/contents <--info

Good Luck
EDIT: BTW if you would rather go the microsoft terminal server route let me know, there are a few ways to save cash taking that route also.

 

[mcveigh]

<<

<< I've been asked by the owners of a small school/daycare to set up 6 PCs in a room for kids ages 6-11 using software that's both educational and entertaining. I need to keep the price down or all they'll have is 3 computers >>


You didn't mention what your budget is? Hard to find you the best route/options without knowing your budget goals.




<< I've never done this, but I think if I could network all these together to a server so they boot off the server I could eliminate the cost of 6 harddrives and more importantly I wouldn't have to go there and reconfigure every other day. Is it possible to set these desktops up with Win98 but keep the kids from doing anything but run the approved software from the server? >>



What you described above is almost EXACTLY what a terminal server does. (everything runs ON the terminal server not the client pc's) However this would require someone with server/TS experience to setup. (but you said your willing to learn right?) A terminal server setup may be the best in the long run. Total control of the client machines, only 1 machine needs power, so if things ever got slow all you do is upgrade the terminal server machine and all client machines run faster. However with this setup someone would need to test all require programs to make sure they can be run off the terminal server correctly.

Read up on it :
www.k12ltsp.org
k12ltsp.org/contents <--info

Good Luck >>



that is exaclty what you need!!
good luck!