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Packages affected:
Summary
Develop a set of server user cases as part of a thorough Ubuntu Server QA testing process. This follows up on the UbuntuDownUnder/BOF/SmallBusinessServer configuration and wizard spec.
Rationale
While there are numerous server combinations, a set of typical user cases can be developed that will provide a thorough server testing process. The use cases can be developed into a set of scripts in an automated testing process.
Use cases
A good set of Use Cases needs to be established (should use some kind of experimental design techniques but for now just pick a few)
Services identified in UbuntuDownUnder/BOF/SmallBusinessServer Basic" Network Services
- DHCP, (Dyn)DNS, Time
Access to/from the outside/internet
- Dialup, Firewall, VPN/IPSec, Web Proxy and content filter
Authentication
Central user and group management (for Unix clients (and Win clients?)), LDAP/NIS, Printing & Fax
File Storage
- "Roaming profiles", central home directories, Storage for Unix based clients (NFS, AFS), Storage for Win clients (SMB), WebDAV ?
Groupware
- Mail sending/receiving, Spam/Virus detection and filtering, Mail storage, Mailing lists, Shared Calendar, Shared Address books
Backup
- Backup of server configuration and data stored on the server, Backup service for clients
Use Cases identified in UbuntuDownUnder/BOF/SmallBusinessServer
- Company Stone LtD. needs to deploy a 10 seats network/office with a relatively small server to handle the above mentioned tasks. Company Pitti needs to deploy a new mail server for his little office but he already has a dns/dhcp server running on another machine. doko decides to start a small home business from scratch and wants to install a replacement server for his old rh server without losing services, so he plans to migrate one service at a time to the new Ubuntu Sohoserver.
Classifying the uses cases (from UbuntuDownUnder/BOF/SmallBusinessServer)
New network / new office:
- The machine provides "all" services including Firewall and DHCP, it's the only server. Internet access, maybe DNS and DHCP are provided by a DSL router or something else. Some services have to be disabled. Which ones, how to find out?
Existing network
- Integrating server in existing network without server, i.e. add a SOHO server for Win workstations running in a workgroup. Add it adding and/or replacing servives running on other servers (maybe not the target group).
Software Combinations Web Server
- Apache2, Lighttp, ?
Database Server
- MySQL, Oracle?, Postgresql, SQLite
Web Languages
- PHP, Perl, Ruby, Java
Hardware Combinations
- Dell-x86, Sun AMD, IBM?, HP?, 3rd Party virtual server?
Scope
Initially, create several use cases for small business setups. Once a process seems to be working well, larger use cases can be accomodated.
Design
A good experimental design should be established for the various combinations of services, use cases, hardware, software
Implementation
1) "Typical" business use cases need to be determined (several were identified in page UbuntuDownUnder/BOF/SmallBusinessServer and some notes above). 2) Once key cases have been determined (try for about 20 cases), then detailed installation how-tos can be created for each case. 3) A good server how-to wiki template should be created. 4) The how-tos then form a set of test installations that can become part of the QA process. 5) Eventually a set of automated installation scripts could be created for the use cases and these can become part of an automated test.
First goal will be 2-4 use cases.
Code
The first phase requires no coding except to coordinate with the configuration and wizard installation coding.
Data preservation and migration
None
Unresolved issues
This is a first rough cut - typical use cases to follow