ubuntu-education Digest, Vol 64, Issue 2
Chris Howey
chowey at projectlibertas.org
Sun Sep 14 21:24:59 UTC 2014
Charles and David -
Thank you so much for your willingness to be of assistance.
Charles - to save you further effort, why don't we continue to use this
format for awhile. I agree with Charles that other newbies may find this
chain easier to access.
If things become too expansive then let's move to IRC.
My situation is probably incredibly easy to manage -- by someone who
actually knows what they're doing.
I retired from a large, urban school system a year ago where my primary
responsibilities were USING and administering instructional computing
solutions - not managing a network. My only formal network training was
over 35 years ago and was the WORST training experience I ever attended.
Moreover the company I worked for promptly dropped the network so I never
had any practical experience in its use.
This year I have been assisting our school, Project Libertas, to develop a
technology infrastructure that they can use to access computers I was able
to get donated.
We have about 75 students in the school and I was able to acquire about 50
HP laptops and 10 Dell desktops for the students. If you want models and
configuration specs I can get those but I'm not at school right now and
don't have them on the tip of my tongue.
All of our staff and student's work is accomplished using Google Apps for
Education and other web-based programs.
We make use of no file server-based applications at this time.
Our first goal was to create a wireless capacity because the building is
quite old and has very few power receptacles in any room. Our laptops are
the primary means for students to access their work. They need to use the
wireless capacity of our system to accomplish that.
We have a 40 port, GB switch attached to our cable modem. The modem is our
weakest link in terms of capacity. It is not as fast or as consistent as we
would like; on occasion we have drops in service, our switch and WAPs all
have greater speed capacity than does our modem. Our cable company has no
better equipment, however, and refuses to let us use our own modem.
We have multiple Wireless Access Points connected to the switch and set up
throughout the building. The WAPs provide more than adequate access for all
of our students and staff to simultaneously access their laptops, phones
and the occasional tablet.
Our SchoolTool installation is located on a web server that we have in the
School Leader's (Principal) office. It is accessible to all staff in their
classrooms but is password protected to prevent student use.
We have 10 desktop stations connected to the switch in a lab setting. The
lab is used primarily for mandated State-wide achievement testing. Our
Robotics club and Computer Club also make use of the lab on occasion.
Sometimes students are allowed to use the lab if they need a less noisy or
stimulating work environment than the classroom.
What we especially need right now are ways to remove distractions from the
students on their laptops, such as preventing the changing of wallpaper,
disabling DVD drives, preventing changing any system setting, etc.
I would be very interested in any suggestions you might have about those
types of issues - but I would also be interested in thoughts you may have
on better ways to make use of a network within our environment.
I am also interested in how we might deploy a web screening system to
reduce inappropriate web browsing. I used such a system at my previous job
- but all access to the Internet was controlled by our central server - not
at all the way we are doing things at this school.
The experience that both of you bring to school installations is so beyond
anything I have ever done. I am very grateful for any assistance you can
provide.
Thanks so much,
Chris
On Sun, Sep 14, 2014 at 8:00 AM, <ubuntu-education-request at lists.ubuntu.com>
wrote:
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>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: Newbie (Christopher Rozewski)
> 2. Re: Newbie (cprofitt)
> 3. Re: Newbie (David Groos)
> 4. Re: Newbie (cprofitt)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 08:16:23 -0400
> From: Christopher Rozewski <crozewski at gmail.com>
> To: Chris Howey <chowey at projectlibertas.org>,
> "ubuntu-education at lists.ubuntu.com"
> <ubuntu-education at lists.ubuntu.com>
> Subject: Re: Newbie
> Message-ID:
> <
> CA+rJ-0oqtUHTNrRUo9p1wT0fnQa8D0F6gdNepztiJQ4iwqoQZw at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Good morning Chris,
>
> I don't have any suggestions for you, but I must commend you on choosing
> software that aligns with your organization's mission--and what a great one
> it is, from what I read on your website. Given how much time we all spend
> with our devices and computers consuming and creating content, I think
> sometimes we don't understand that the principals our software are
> developed with are in some ways the lenses through which we interact with
> that technology, and it shapes what we ultimately ingest and create.
>
>
>
> --cr
>
> On Sat, Sep 13, 2014 at 7:18 AM, Chris Howey <chowey at projectlibertas.org>
> wrote:
>
> > I'm brand new to using Edubuntu. I have installed it as the operating
> > system for the small, private school I work for.
> >
> > We are dedicated to the types of social justice and open access positions
> > that Edubuntu espouses.
> >
> > We have just implemented SchoolTool as our Student Management System and
> > are finding it very useful.
> >
> > I am looking for suggestions as to how to make better use of this amazing
> > distribution - especially as it pertains to securing computer labs.
> >
> > Nice to be with you all.
> >
> > --
> > Christopher Howey, Ph.D.
> > Technology Coordinator
> > Project Libertas
> > (317)650-4047
> >
> > --
> > ubuntu-education mailing list
> > ubuntu-education at lists.ubuntu.com
> > Modify settings or unsubscribe at:
> > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-education
> >
> >
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 09:21:47 -0400
> From: cprofitt <cprofitt at ubuntu.com>
> To: ubuntu-education at lists.ubuntu.com
> Subject: Re: Newbie
> Message-ID: <1410614507.2508.22.camel at tardis>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>
> Chris:
>
> Welcome to the list. I would like to get some more information before I
> offer some advice. If you want we could arrange to meet and discuss
> these items on IRC instead of continuing an email thread; I leave the
> choice to you.
>
> See my responses below:
>
> On Sat, 2014-09-13 at 07:18 -0400, Chris Howey wrote:
> > I'm brand new to using Edubuntu. I have installed it as the operating
> > system for the small, private school I work for.
>
> How many computers is it installed on? If your fleet of devices is large
> you will want to employ some configuration management system to automate
> deployment, patches and settings. Managing 30 computers is feasible by
> hand (though inconsistencies due to human error are still possible), but
> managing 4000 computers by hand is not feasible. Even if you have a
> small number of computers using a configuration management tool can have
> benefits.
>
> There are choices like Landscape (1), ZenWorks (2), Puppet (3), Chef
> (4), Ansible (5) and Salt (6).
> >
> > I am looking for suggestions as to how to make better use of this
> > amazing distribution - especially as it pertains to securing computer
> > labs.
>
> Using the aforementioned tools for configuration management is one step
> towards securing the computing resources since it will ensure patches
> are applied. In order to offer more suggestions I would need to know
> what your concerns are for securing the computer labs. I do have the
> following questions though:
>
> * Do you have an identity management solution in place (Active
> Directory, Open Directory, Novel Directory Services, OpenLDAP,
> ApacheDS, 389 Directory Server, OpenDJ)?
> * Do you have file servers or other network accessible resources
> you need to secure? (keep students away from SchoolTool, etc)
> * What operating system is used by faculty and staff?
> * Are you concerned about students changing configurations on
> computers?
> * Do you currently have any ability to collect logs from your
> client computing devices and server infrastructure?
>
> I have 15 years of experience in a K-12 school and currently manage the
> core infrastructure (servers, virtualization, disaster recovery, Active
> Directory, etc). When I first started I was responsible for everything
> from the desktop to the server infrastructure. Based on that I would
> focus on configuration management, identity management and logging of
> events/activity.
>
> I would be happy to get deeper in to your particular environment.
>
>
> Charles
> >
> >
> (1) - https://landscape.canonical.com/
> (2) - https://www.novell.com/products/zenworks/endpoint-management/
> (3) - http://puppetlabs.com/
> (4) - http://www.getchef.com/chef/
> (5) - http://www.ansible.com/home
> (6) - http://www.saltstack.com/
> >
> >
>
> --
> cprofitt <cprofitt at ubuntu.com>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 14:02:35 -0500
> From: David Groos <djgroos at gmail.com>
> To: cprofitt <cprofitt at ubuntu.com>
> Cc: ubuntu-education at lists.ubuntu.com
> Subject: Re: Newbie
> Message-ID: <AB5B5A18-1543-4BCD-9289-A236FBAF24CF at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
>
> Nice to read this high-level conversation. Two things I would add:
>
> 1. Consider using LTSP-pnp with Epoptes. This is a great way to address
> some of the challenges you mentioned (and that I?ve encountered as a
> 25-year science teacher using 15-20 computers in my classroom). It can work
> with LDAP/Active Directory.
> 2. If you do continue the conversation on IRC, please copy/paste the IRC
> dialog back into this thread so that others can search/find and learn from
> the problems and wisdom shared.
>
> Best of luck,
> David G
>
> On Sep 13, 2014, at 8:21 AM, cprofitt <cprofitt at ubuntu.com> wrote:
>
> > Chris:
> >
> > Welcome to the list. I would like to get some more information before I
> > offer some advice. If you want we could arrange to meet and discuss
> > these items on IRC instead of continuing an email thread; I leave the
> > choice to you.
> >
> > See my responses below:
> >
> > On Sat, 2014-09-13 at 07:18 -0400, Chris Howey wrote:
> >> I'm brand new to using Edubuntu. I have installed it as the operating
> >> system for the small, private school I work for.
> >
> > How many computers is it installed on? If your fleet of devices is large
> > you will want to employ some configuration management system to automate
> > deployment, patches and settings. Managing 30 computers is feasible by
> > hand (though inconsistencies due to human error are still possible), but
> > managing 4000 computers by hand is not feasible. Even if you have a
> > small number of computers using a configuration management tool can have
> > benefits.
> >
> > There are choices like Landscape (1), ZenWorks (2), Puppet (3), Chef
> > (4), Ansible (5) and Salt (6).
> >>
> >> I am looking for suggestions as to how to make better use of this
> >> amazing distribution - especially as it pertains to securing computer
> >> labs.
> >
> > Using the aforementioned tools for configuration management is one step
> > towards securing the computing resources since it will ensure patches
> > are applied. In order to offer more suggestions I would need to know
> > what your concerns are for securing the computer labs. I do have the
> > following questions though:
> >
> > * Do you have an identity management solution in place (Active
> > Directory, Open Directory, Novel Directory Services, OpenLDAP,
> > ApacheDS, 389 Directory Server, OpenDJ)?
> > * Do you have file servers or other network accessible resources
> > you need to secure? (keep students away from SchoolTool, etc)
> > * What operating system is used by faculty and staff?
> > * Are you concerned about students changing configurations on
> > computers?
> > * Do you currently have any ability to collect logs from your
> > client computing devices and server infrastructure?
> >
> > I have 15 years of experience in a K-12 school and currently manage the
> > core infrastructure (servers, virtualization, disaster recovery, Active
> > Directory, etc). When I first started I was responsible for everything
> > from the desktop to the server infrastructure. Based on that I would
> > focus on configuration management, identity management and logging of
> > events/activity.
> >
> > I would be happy to get deeper in to your particular environment.
> >
> >
> > Charles
> >>
> >>
> > (1) - https://landscape.canonical.com/
> > (2) - https://www.novell.com/products/zenworks/endpoint-management/
> > (3) - http://puppetlabs.com/
> > (4) - http://www.getchef.com/chef/
> > (5) - http://www.ansible.com/home
> > (6) - http://www.saltstack.com/
> >>
> >>
> >
> > --
> > cprofitt <cprofitt at ubuntu.com>
> >
> >
> > --
> > ubuntu-education mailing list
> > ubuntu-education at lists.ubuntu.com
> > Modify settings or unsubscribe at:
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-education
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 18:02:48 -0400
> From: cprofitt <cprofitt at ubuntu.com>
> To: David Groos <djgroos at gmail.com>
> Cc: ubuntu-education at lists.ubuntu.com
> Subject: Re: Newbie
> Message-ID: <1410645768.2579.1.camel at tardis>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>
>
> David:
>
> If we use IRC I will post the log or a link to the logs if it is a
> logged channel.
>
> I agree LTSP is one of the tools that can stretch the dollar and manage
> a lab. ITALC is another tool that can help.
>
> Charles
>
> On Sat, 2014-09-13 at 14:02 -0500, David Groos wrote:
> > Nice to read this high-level conversation. Two things I would add:
> >
> > 1. Consider using LTSP-pnp with Epoptes. This is a great way to address
> some of the challenges you mentioned (and that I?ve encountered as a
> 25-year science teacher using 15-20 computers in my classroom). It can work
> with LDAP/Active Directory.
> > 2. If you do continue the conversation on IRC, please copy/paste the IRC
> dialog back into this thread so that others can search/find and learn from
> the problems and wisdom shared.
> >
> > Best of luck,
> > David G
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> --
> ubuntu-education mailing list
> ubuntu-education at lists.ubuntu.com
> Modify settings or unsubscribe at:
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-education
>
>
> End of ubuntu-education Digest, Vol 64, Issue 2
> ***********************************************
>
--
Christopher Howey, Ph.D.
Technology Coordinator
Project Libertas
(317)650-4047
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