Ubuntu Wiki

EPC Computer Lab Brainstorm

Intro:

The purpose of this project is to tune the EPC computer lab network, fixing issues that may exists, as well as install Ubuntu Linux on all workstations.

I. EPC Computer Lab:

1. Hardware
2. Operating System Install
3. Workstation Extras
4. Server Setup
5. Shared Storage
6. Equipment and Supplies to bring.

II. Hardware:

1. Review PC hardware, test and pick the PC's we want to use for the lab.[https://wiki.ubuntu.com/NewMexicoTeam/February,_21_2008 (FEB 21st F2F meeting)]

2. Printers - If there any avaiable test and pick the one(s) we want to use for the lab.[https://wiki.ubuntu.com/NewMexicoTeam/February,_21_2008 (FEB 21st F2F meeting)]

3. Possible Servers - Test and pick the PC's we want to use for the lab. [https://wiki.ubuntu.com/NewMexicoTeam/February,_21_2008 (FEB 21st F2F meeting)]

4. Shared Storage. (Future project)

III. Operating System Install:

Discuss and plan the Install on Feb 21st F2F meeting!!!!!!

The plan is to install the base Ubuntu install on each of the EPC workstations. Rather than centralized authentication I think that local login would be simpler to maintain...for now.

1. Base install of 7.10 Gutsy.
2. Enable Universe and Multiverse repos.

3. Auto update systems: apt-get update && apt-get upgrade -y (daily cron)?

4. Setup 3 local accounts:

   • - EPC_Admin (listed in the sudoers)BR - EPCBR - NMLoco (listed in the sudoers)BR

5. Once installed create a base image of similar workstations. Store images on usb drive and eventually NAS server.

IV. Workstation Extras:

1. OpenOffice with clipart.

   • - Disable JavaBR - Increase Memory to 32mBR - Decrease Memory per ojbect to 2.0BR

2. Flash-nonfree

   • - Plus Launchpad [http://launchpadlibrarian.net/10761023/flashplugin-nonfree_9.0.115.0ubuntu2_i386.deb Flash Fix]

3. Restricted codec

   • - GStreamer plugins for aac, xvid, mpeg2, faad.BR - GStreamer Dirac video plugin.BR - GStreamer ffmpeg video plugin.BR - GStreamer extra plugins.BR - Ubuntu restricted extras.BR

4. VLC
5. Firefox addons:

   • - Adblock PlusBR - PDF DownloadBR - Foxmarks Book Synchronizer?BR - Link to Ubuntu NM LoCo wikiBR - Link to Ubuntu ForumsBR - Link to the Ubuntu NM ForumBR

6. Gnome X-Chat - configured to:

   • - Register individual user names per workstations (i.e. epc1, epc2, epc3, etc.)BR - Auto join the #ubuntu-us-nm channel.BR

7. Connect each workstation to the Shared printer.
8. Remote access to the workstations? (DISCUSS)

   • - SSH? (DISCUSS)BR - Hamachi? (DISCUSS)BR

V. Server Setup:

At this time to keep things simple the server setup will only be for print sharing. This is also something that can be shared from one of the workstations that is connect directly to the printer.

1. Printer sharing - CUPSBR

2. Install Webmin (www.webmin.com) to easy administer server via web interface.BR

3. Central authentication (i don't think this is require - yet)?BR

4. Squid Proxy Server. This is something that we can easily setup for the lab. But it means changing firefox to point to the proxy server on each of the workstation for the EPC account.BR

VI. [https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Endorphin_Power_Company_Ubuntu_Install_and_Support/FreeNAS Shared Storage]:

1. Build a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network-attached_storage NAS (Network Attached Storage)] appliance using [http://www.freenas.org FreeNAS].

   • - Use Motherboard, Case, Processor, IDE Controller, and Ram donated by Eric Krieger. - Use hard drive donations from Dave Thomas, Joel Edwards and Eric Krieger.
     • + Dave Thomas has offered to donate 4 80gig IDE drives. Using the extra IDE controller create a single Raid 5 container. This will result in 160gigs of shareable storage. + Joel Edwards has offered to donate a 80gig SATA drive. Need to pickup an SATA controller + Eric Krieger has offered to donate 2 250gig IDE drives. Use the on board secondary IDE controller of the mortherboard to mirror the drives for 250gig shareable storage. + Eric Krieger will donate 2 20gig drives. Use on board primary IDE Controller to mirror the drives and use for FreeNAS OS/System install.

2. File sharing protocols ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_File_System_%28protocol%29 NFS] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CIFS CIFS]).

   • - Use NFS to mount shares on Ubuntu and OSX Workstations - Use CIFS for Windows Workstations

VII. Equipment and Supplies to bring.:

1. Enough burned Ubuntu 7.10 CD's (gcleric will bring )BR

2. Blank CD's (just in case). (gcleric will bring )BR

3. Bring 2 USB Enclosures for backups to HD and connecting external CDRW/DVDRW. (gcleric will bring )BR

4. Zip ties. (gcleric will bring )BR

5. Ryobi Vacuum/Blower. (to clean PC). (gcleric will bring )BR

6. Screw drivers. (gcleric will bring )BR

7. Electrical Tape. (gcleric will bring )BR

8. CAT5 Spool. (gcleric will bring )BR

9. CAT5 Crimper and Ends. (gcleric will bring )BR

10. Cable Striper. (gcleric will bring )BR

11. USB Flash Drives.BR

12. Power Drill. (gcleric will bring )BR

13. Drill bits. (gcleric will bring )BR

14. Sander. (gcleric will bring )BR

15. Extra Ryobi Batteries. (gcleric will bring )BR

16. Ryobi Charger. (gcleric will bring )BR

17. Flash lights. (gcleric will bring )BR

18. Thermal Comp. (gcleric will bring )BR

19. Power Cables. (gcleric will bring )BR

20. Ethernet Cables. (gcleric will bring )BR

21. USB Cables. (gcleric will bring )BR

22. Single sided Velcro sickers. (gcleric will bring )BR

23. Spare Hard Drives.BR

24. Labeler. (gcleric will bring )BR

25. Documentation Material.BR

26. CDRW/DVDRW Drive. (gcleric will bring )BR

27. Bring 'all the current updates for Ubuntu 7.10' on USB HD. (gcleric will bring )BR

28. Bring Extra Workstations. (gcleric will bring )BR

29. Bring 48 Port Switch. (gcleric will bring )BR

30. Bring Extra Ram (DIMs).

[https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Endorphin_Power_Company_Ubuntu_Install_and_Support Back to EPC Project page.]