Re: [K12OSN] guesstimates

[anthony baldwin <anthonybaldwin snet net>]

Terrell Prude', Jr. wrote:
> The server:  $2000 for the one I built (specs have been previously 
> posted to this list).
>
> The switch:  I'd go for a used Catalyst 3524 or BayStack 450T w/ a Gig-E 
> connection, eBay price about $1000 for the Catalyst, about $500-$600 for 
> the BayStack 450T (w/ Gig-E).
>
> The thin clients:  Typically free, if you've got old x86 machines 
> already.  $10/each if you've got old PMac 5200's (gotta replace the 
> stock NIC w/ one that's GNU/Linux-friendly)  If you don't have a bunch 
> of old boxes, about $100 or less each for "old" Pentium boxes, which 
> make suh-weet thin clients.
>
> If you need to do this on a super-tight budget, you can do it for about 
> $1500 for the server and mini-switch, if you go single-processor and 
> Fast Ethernet on the server.  768MB DRAM will work, but 1GB is better if 
> you can.  The 10/100 mini-switch can be a little $60 eight-port NetGear 
> or something like that.  Visit www.pricewatch.com to check out prices on 
> computer parts for your server.  BE ADVISED: you'll not be able to scale 
> beyond 5 or so clients.  Given your situation, though, this may help.
>
> --TP


I'm thinking I could put together a P4 1.8ghz with 1g ram for about $500 
from Tigerdirect.com (not including the monitor) I'd have to check 
prices to be precise, but I recall seeing deals like that in their 
catalog.  I didn't expect to pay so much for a switch...
We have old Macs that are not in use (I've been so tempted to try and 
load YDL on some of them).  I understand the NIC needs changed and then 
they, too, can be thin clients.
I'm beginning to think this is doable.  Now, it's just a matter of 
getting permission.
I've alread begun a fundraiser at http:/www.cafeshops.com/smswildcats
I've got on old monitor here to donate, myself (can't handle better than 
800x600).

> anthony baldwin wrote:
>
> > Just for grins...
> > What do you suppose it would cost to set up a small lab with 25
> > terminals. I'm only concerned with hardware costs:
> > How fast a server would be needed...etc;  How much thin clients cost;
> > That sort of thing.  (Obviously, I've no need to be concerned with 
> > licensing costs, and, despite my relative ignorance, I would try to 
> > set this up myself.)
> > Is anyone distributing thin clients yet?  I've seen discussion of it 
> > on the list before.
> > I really need such a lab at my school. Finding both the space and any 
> > money at all are a huge challenge, but I'd like to have figures and 
> > information with which to attack the administration/school board.
> > I got spoiled last year in a different school where I had all kinds of 
> > access to tech and could have my students do research, webquests, 
> > multimedia projects, etc.  I'd post resources for them on line all the 
> > time.  Now, in a different district, I've got one ageing Mac in my 
> > room, running OS 9.2 (how annoying) and I can never get into the 
> > school's Mac lab because it is always full of computer (read 
> > keyboarding) classes.
> > I even wonder about the possibility of setting up a small server and 
> > maybe 5 clients in my classroom even, just to improve my access 
> > somewhat.  I have, on average, about 20 children per class, though.
> > If I have them work in pairs...have different groups on different 
> > projects or phases of a project...even 5 would be helpful.
> > I only get about $1300/year to spend (already spent $500 this year on 
> > whiteboards and reading novels).
> > Do you think I could build a server and a few clients on $1300?
> > I'm guessing a whole lab is out for that price.
> > Not having access to technology is putting a real damper on my 
> > curriculum.  Would you believe I have children who don't even have a 
> > telephone at home, much less internet access.  I'm in a poor rural 
> > district.  I need this.  My children are being left behind.
> >
> > tony b
> > 7th and 8th Grade Language Arts
> > Sterling Memorial School
> > http://sterling.school-library.net/
>
>
>
>
>
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