[shezza]

Much appreciation for any and all advice,
~shezza (et al)

[martin_fierro]

First you must

log in.

[Billthedrill]

My guess is that you're going to find a single-proc AMD at 1.4 GHz a little weak for a server supporting six nodes in a thin-client configuration, especially if you're serving up games. That would be true no matter what OS it's running. Max it out on memory and you might stand a chance but not otherwise.

The big difference in sizing a server for this is that what you've described can't be tuned for any of the major server roles - file services, application services, print or comms or web services - without degrading the other roles. And tune it you'll have to if you expect to wring performance out of that platform.

Were I doing it I'd (1) purchase another hard drive and use hardware mirroring for redundancy, pack as much RAM as you can in the box, and purchase relatively beefy workstations. Workstations have gotten cheaper much faster than laptops and you could get two pretty good units for the price of a single laptop. Each kid with his own machine is a much happier scenario IMHO.

This isn't really thin-client at all but I think it might be the best cost/performance mix right now. Your mileage may vary.

(Oh, and you've probably done it by now but if you haven't, for pity's sake secure your router or you'll be sharing your broadband with the world. ;-) )

[ConservativeMind]

You are looking at quite a project if you are looking to run the programs both from and on the server, providing a true thin client environment.

I wouldn't get rid of your Windows licenses. If you go ahead with the Linux thin client or a Linux network, leave Windows on as a dual-boot option. There will be plenty of things that won't run on Linux no matter have well you tweak WINE.

If you were dishing out the equivalent of the old terminal screens of Unix days, your server would be powerful enough to run over a hundred terminals, easily. However, we are not in those days anymore. I would encourage you to consider Linux on each computer (the free OS way) and forget the terminal serving aspect. Put a minimal size version of Linux on the systems (or even use Knoppix on a CD if needed) and make it a normal Linux network.

The simplest way is to use Windows on each system. I would encourage this as the most effective setup, but if you are looking at having fun and don't mind dozens of hours of setup, just leave Windows on as a dual-boot and do the rest as stated.

Enjoy!

[ThePythonicCow]

I'd tend to agree with other posters above, and stay away from the thin client stuff. Thin clients make sense in larger corporate environments, where the specialized knowledge in setting up and maintaining the centralized parts can be spread out over more hapless end users who don't need much more than documents, web browser and email. Thin clients help a centralized corporate MIS department maintain tight control and uniformity over a large pool of end users.

Best to go with ordinary PC's and laptops, running Windows or Linux, and that old server, for file and print sharing.

As the kids get to be teenagers, the games they will want to run will pretty much require Windows. And to run Quicken and Tax programs, either you will want Windows, or you will have to make do with older versions of Quicken and second choice on the Tax programs. Otherwise, Linux is lower cost and more stable and comes in a wider variety of distributions targeted for various sorts of users and users.

Expect to have an ever changing mix of PC's and laptops running Linux or Windows, as your needs and means evolve.

You can find a reasonable selection of ready made PC's from two of my favorite ventors at:

• Monarch Computer "Recommended Best Seller" Systems
• Newegg.com Today's Desktop PC Deals

[RightOnline]

Well, for what it's worth from one 22 years in the computer biz (I hasten to add, mainly in sales/marketing.....but decent with computers despite that...)......I currently have 5 systems on a home network, only one 'hard wired' to the router. Wireless networks are JUST fine, tyvm.....and we all run Windows XP Professional. We all can share each others' resources: DVD drives, hard drives, printers, you name it; easy to set up. I can log onto any system in this house and access any other, and any other key resources (drives, printers, etc.) on any other system in our 'workgroup'. Works just great......and we've been home schooling as well for over 22 years. If you want to discuss the best way to set up such a network, FReepmail me.

[ThomasThomas]

I wouldn't use a sever based system here because playing games will demand power on the local machine, more than a server use for this size of net work. I do use a older work station for shared storage ( 3 x 100 gb drives ) and printers. You can also get network storage units now than you connect to the router for good prices, mine was 79.00 plus drives. These are great for backups. The only reason I can see for a server based system is it would be easier to control and monitor the use of the system on the network. When and what each workstation or person can do on the network.

[rambo316]

telkonet.com

They are a BPL company.

[Kaylee Frye]

I see you've had replies suggesting you not do thin-client. Honestly, that would be my suggestion, but that's just me. If you're considering buying lower-end PCs and putting the hard work on the server, I would consider building another couple. I'm sure you've heard of Anandtech (may have used it for your last build?), but here's their value PC building guide: Building a Better Budget PC.

We build new PCs every 3 or 4 years in our house and keep the old, figuring they will be our hand-me-downs when we have kids and do the homeschooling thing. The one thing I would recommend with your current server is to get a new power supply. 350 is pretty small and could easily get overloaded if you connect a lot of peripherals (seeing this is your server, you're gonna end up with a lot connected probably).

[r9etb]

It seems to me that you're looking for far more solution than you actually need. There's a hell of a lot of system admin work in your future if you really decide to go this route -- what a waste of time.

What you really need is this:

1. A machine for each person who needs one, running its own suite of software.

2. Multi-user internet access ... I'm pretty sure that the wireless network stuff handles this pretty well.

3. A common storage area, which can be a node on your wireless network.

And that's it. No need to re-create a network sized to support a mid-sized office building.

[shezza]

Thanks so very much for your input -- I knew I could get some non-PR-biased info here.

I suppose what we'll end up doing is having each boy build his own computer (nix the server/thin-client idea, which although being touted as the 21st-century salvation for cash-strapped schools and non-profits sounds like more headaches than it's worth), and simply network new desktops into our current setup.

I guess I need to evaluate each system's program needs to determine if it should be Windows, Linux or dual. On one hand I've had Red Hat on CD-rom for years and never installed it, so I'm itchin' to try. On the other, although I think the educational software will do fine on Linux, the PC games might require some serious tweaking to run very well, so Windows needst to at least be available. Perhaps my own little FReepMachine can be the experimental Linux baby. Frankly, I have too much going on in life to start on yet another career path as a dedicated IT professional, so trying it one system at a time is probably not a bad idea at all.

Thanks also for the supplier links. I tend to peruse pricewatch and have gotten most of our parts from newegg; I appreciate the additional resources.

The boys will be thrilled to know that I have now moved out of analysis paralysis and we can start to order parts for our new systems this week. Many thanks to all of you for your contributions, suggestions and advice.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I've also had to wipe clean and reinstall XP at least a half-dozen times this year alone

Huh? That's just not right.
All MS bashing aside...that's not normal. You getting a lot of virii?