Networking + General IT advice

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Happy Camper

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Hi

I need some advice on setting up a new network solution for about 30 clients. I'm a graphic designer by profession and have been thrown in the deep end here at work as I've been given the task of administering our network for the company. Basically, I'm near to clueless! :whistle:

The part of the network I want to change is set up with about 30 clients, each with their own desktop pc running windowsxp, connecting to Windows servers running the necessary services needed for their application. I was thinking of perhaps going ThinClient network, all running under Ubuntu Linux. It will need to have Internet Explorer installed under WINE as many of our browser based apps will only run under IE :wtf:

Is this a bad idea? If you are in the know or perhaps could provide a solution or some advice I'd be most appreciative. The main objective is to save money on windows licensing, cut down power consumption (thinclient network don't need hard drives nor gfx cards, less heat means less air con usage etc).

Many thanks for any advice offered.
 
I would agree with the thinclients if its only internet applications & basic document manipulation. The wine & internet explorer combo I do not think is a good idea. You are bound to run in to loads of problems!
Try a browser that is native to ubuntu. But the rest of the setup sounds fine. Get a volume license on XP, they are not that expensive.
 
P00HB33R said:
I would agree with the thinclients if its only internet applications & basic document manipulation. The wine & internet explorer combo I do not think is a good idea. You are bound to run in to loads of problems!
Try a browser that is native to ubuntu. But the rest of the setup sounds fine. Get a volume license on XP, they are not that expensive.
Click to expand...

Thanks POOH. I agree about IE but have no other option as these browser apps ONLY run in IE. The developers are not porting yet for another 2 years or so, so I'm stuck with it! :erm:

Thanks for the advice.
 
Not a problem!

Just a final thought. As far as i know the only stable IE on wine is version 6 and 7.

Sent from my X10i using MyBroadband Android App
 
Hi HC, have you considered looking for *embedded*-Windows (likely XP) thin-client boxen? I'd have to look but I'm reasonably sure that kit's out there (and this sounds like something worth getting my teeth into...)

Note: embedded Windows != mini-ITX chassis with HDDs running full-blown Windows.
 
Not to rain on your parade, but a gfx designer trying to port a XP network to linux is a guaranteed disaster. And not just technical, but also human. Forcing the average person onto ubuntu will create rage...and that will be directed at *you* not Canonical.

The one thing conspicuously absent from your post is a problem. If its not currently broken and you are, as you say inexperienced, then for heaven's sake don't try & fix it.

Also, cost savings from a power/gfx angle will be minimal.
 
HavocXphere said:
Not to rain on your parade, but a gfx designer trying to port a XP network to linux is a guaranteed disaster. And not just technical, but also human. Forcing the average person onto ubuntu will create rage...and that will be directed at *you* not Canonical.

The one thing conspicuously absent from your post is a problem. If its not currently broken and you are, as you say inexperienced, then for heaven's sake don't try & fix it.

Also, cost savings from a power/gfx angle will be minimal.
Click to expand...

I have to say sorry but I agree.
 
HavocXphere said:
Not to rain on your parade, but a gfx designer trying to port a XP network to linux is a guaranteed disaster. And not just technical, but also human. Forcing the average person onto ubuntu will create rage...and that will be directed at *you* not Canonical.

The one thing conspicuously absent from your post is a problem. If its not currently broken and you are, as you say inexperienced, then for heaven's sake don't try & fix it.

Also, cost savings from a power/gfx angle will be minimal.
Click to expand...

Fair enough! But by your suggestions I'll never learn anything. I'm keen to try it out, and I'm usually successful in my missions so excuse me for showing some faith in myself :p
 
Happy Camper said:
Fair enough! But by your suggestions I'll never learn anything. I'm keen to try it out, and I'm usually successful in my missions so excuse me for showing some faith in myself :p
Click to expand...

you will learn going the normal route, but what you doing is like trying to tackle a third year subject straight off the bat.
Not saying its not possible, just that its likely to interfer with your normal daily tasks quite a bit and is quite a steep challenge
 
tau1z said:
you will learn going the normal route, but what you doing is like trying to tackle a third year subject straight off the bat.
Not saying its not possible, just that its likely to interfer with your normal daily tasks quite a bit and is quite a steep challenge
Click to expand...

I'm quite surprised how one of the geekiest hangouts on teh local webpipe are telling me not to be too geeky :D This would'nt be the geekiest thing I've ever tried, I just wanted to know if my idea was a sound one. I know it's possible, but perhaps not logical, and I guess ultimately it's company money and resources I would be saving and not my own. So perhaps better to just let sleeping dogs lie :confused: :p
 
Dude go for it. You have nothing to lose. (Well maybe a tooth or 2 and a few headaches) ;-) Atleast your showing some ambition and willing to do the work. Unlike some people!
Ive got a few networking diploma's and a degree in computer science including MCSE so if you need help just PM me!

And I am prepared for those who are going to snap back at me for this post!
 
P00HB33R said:
Dude go for it. You have nothing to lose. (Well maybe a tooth or 2 and a few headaches) ;-) Atleast your showing some ambition and willing to do the work. Unlike some people!
Ive got a few networking diploma's and a degree in computer science including MCSE so if you need help just PM me!

And I am prepared for those who are going to snap back at me for this post!
Click to expand...

Thank you, I really appreciate it, it would be a project for the new year, so don't be surprised if you get a few pm's from me in Feb sometime :) ++
I won't be a nuisance, don't worry! I'm a RTFM kinda guy :D

Why do you expect a snap back? Is it frowned upon to help a fellow geek? :o
 
Atleast your showing some ambition and willing to do the work. Unlike some people!
Click to expand...

Some geeks dont like it when you call them lazy :p

Its cool dude, you can PM me anytime.

Cheers
 
Happy Camper said:
I'm quite surprised how one of the geekiest hangouts on teh local webpipe are telling me not to be too geeky :D This would'nt be the geekiest thing I've ever tried, I just wanted to know if my idea was a sound one. I know it's possible, but perhaps not logical, and I guess ultimately it's company money and resources I would be saving and not my own. So perhaps better to just let sleeping dogs lie :confused: :p
Click to expand...

I think we are just saying be cautious. As ppl who do this kind of thing for a living, we know how end users react to new interfaces, how simple things can quickly escalate into nightmares, and how keeping things simple is usually the best way.


Just opinions dude, it sounds like you have made up your mind with what you want anyways, so not sure why u are bothering asking anynmore?
 
Happy Camper said:
Fair enough! But by your suggestions I'll never learn anything. I'm keen to try it out, and I'm usually successful in my missions so excuse me for showing some faith in myself :p
Click to expand...
No dude. By all means learn by trial & error...but not when your professional reputation is on the line & odds are totally stacked against you. Fun and adventure is one thing, but bosses shouting at you because you broke a perfectly fine setup & losing big bucks is something else.
 
I would suggest maybe a gradual switch over so only switch a few users over and trail and error them rather. The problem that happens here is say you switch over and everything goes to plan. The problems usually comes in when you leave the company because nothing is documented. You also did things which is not to standard so the next guy taking over struggles to keep things running.
 
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