Re: [school-discuss] LTSP and school-provided networks on same physical infrastructure

[Don Christensen <djc@xxxxxxxxx>]

Daniel Howard wrote:
> Precisely, Don.  With your suggestion of using VPNs to keep LTSP and 
> existing school district PCs logically separate, we are looking at 
> replacing at least some of our switches, the Matrox ones, which don't 
> support 802.1q.  There are not too many of these, most of the rest are 
> Cisco 1548Ms, and if they do support 802.1q, then we'd likely replace the 
> Matrox switches with Cisco units, even if a bit pricier, since all of our 
> routers are also Cisco units.  If we have to replace all classroom 
> switches, then we'll search out the most cost effective solution.  And if 
> the cabling is Cat5e, then we'll look at gigabit capability as well for the 
> new switches, as you surmised.

Looks like you are in luck with the 1548Ms (even though the VLAN support
appears to be somewhat limited).  I couldn't find anything right off that
says if the "multi-VLAN port" uses 802.1q or ISL.  I'm not familiar with
this particular switch.

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/lan/ms1548m/icg/config.htm#xtocid505632

> We meet with district IT personnel in a few weeks, it will be interesting 
> to hear their take on the VPN proposal, as well as the whole Linux 
> business.  While our school is doing this for performance and reliability, 
> most of the district, which is currently hurting for technology funding, 
> would also benefit from the cost savings aspect...wish us luck!

Good luck!  ;-)

-Don

> Regards,
> Daniel
>
>   At 09:24 PM 7/2/2005, you wrote:
>
> > Stewart M. Ives wrote:
> >
> > > Daniel,
> > > I don't think whether you have Cat5 or Cat5e cabling will make any difference
> > > to your upgrade as long as it is AT LEAST Cat5 so don't spin your wheels
> > > trying to figure out if that cable above the ceiling is Cat5 or Cat5e.
> >
> > I think Daniel was thinking about the possibility of moving to gigabit
> > ethernet, where he would most likely need Cat5e.  If he determines now
> > what he has, then he will know what his future options are.
> >
> > -Don
> >
> >
> > > One of the biggest helps to anyone will be a physical map/diagram of your
> > > network and who/what is where.  This physical map is different that a 
> > > virtual map.
> > >
> > > stew
> > > ---------- Original Message -----------
> > > From: Daniel Howard <daniel@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > To: schoolforge-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > Sent: Thu, 30 Jun 2005 18:04:11 -0400
> > > Subject: Re: [school-discuss] LTSP and school-provided networks on same
> > > physical infrastructure
> > >
> > >
> > > > Thanks for all the great advice Don and Stew.  First thing tomorrow, 
> > > > I'll categorize what we have now in terms of switches and cabling 
> > > > (whether it is Cat5e or just Cat5, in case we do end up buying some new 
> > > > switches) and see where we go from there to implement a VLAN solution as 
> > > > much as possible.  Stew, even if we do hire a tech expert to help us, it 
> > > > never hurts to do as much homework ahead of time as possible :-)
> > > >
> > > > As an aside, I wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea for this group to 
> > > > come up with some sort of reference architecture for school networks 
> > > > that includes typical cases and variations so that the K12LTSP and 
> > > > Edubuntu folks can use it as a 'design to' for new features/capabilities 
> > > > in their software.  The folks we've talked to thus far have either set 
> > > > up K12LTSP servers in computer labs, or did the entire school with 
> > > > K12LTSP (like Riverdale).  I suspect that our case, of having to 
> > > > gradually infuse K12LTSP into the network, while maintaining existing 
> > > > PCs that require authentication, might be quite typical of schools 
> > > > wanting to do this, but who have hesitant district IT personnel to deal with.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks again to all for a great resource,
> > > > Daniel
> > > >
> > > > Daniel Howard
> > > > President and CEO
> > > > Quadrock Communications, Inc
> > > > 404.264.9123 main
> > > > 678.528.5839 fax
> > > > 404.625.1593 cell
> > >
> > > ------- End of Original Message -------
> >
> >
> > --
> > Don Christensen       Senior Software Development Engineer
> > djc@xxxxxxxxx         Cisco Systems, Santa Cruz, CA
> >  "It was a new day yesterday, but it's an old day now."
>
>
>
> Daniel Howard
> President and CEO
> Quadrock Communications, Inc
> 404.264.9123 main
> 678.528.5839 fax
> 404.625.1593 cell


--
Don Christensen       Senior Software Development Engineer
djc@xxxxxxxxx         Cisco Systems, Santa Cruz, CA
  "It was a new day yesterday, but it's an old day now."