13. The Server: Hardware & Software

Server Hardware

Remember always that a server is just a specialised computer. We often see schools paying extravagant amounts of money for "servers" which in effect are basic machines in bigger boxes, with more RAM and hard drive and bigger and noisier fans! Some come with tape back up systems to keep a copy of your computer files in case the hard drive "crashes". The sever used just a year ago was a 500MHz Pentium 3 machine with 256 Mb RAM is now a standard "off the shelf" computer.

In addition a school will usually require a web server, while the size of the school and the number of applications (programs hosted on the server), it runs will determine the number of servers needed (for specific information on server sizes and requirements for different size schools see (1) above). It may well be that certain departments require their own server located within their physical area with a fibre link to the main school gateway and network. Schools can add servers as they start using more applications.

For more extensive information on setting up your file server and the options available See Below.

The general rule is to not load too many applications onto the same server. In general Unix servers will allow greater numbers of applications/server than a Windows based server. Connections to each classroom is via category 5E cable using a fibre optic cable backbone. The result can be compared to the skeleton of a fish with the fibre as the backbone and the category 5E cables running out to individual classrooms. Fibre optic cable is required if the cable length required is greater than 90m. This is one thing you need to emphasise with your cabling expert. Investigate alternative locations for the servers if this means you can reduce the average distance from server to end users computer. There are many permutations of location and your cabling expert should be pushed to offer the best solution for you, not the the solution that best suits them.

You may not be able to locate all servers in the same location. Be practical!

The file server is used to distribute:

Individually each of these functions may not require huge bandwidth (the ability to transfer information down the wire/cable), in themselves but it can add up quickly, depending on the types of data/programs you are accessing and the way in which your network is set up.

Make sure that your network has a way of backing up all the data that you save. At some stage your system will probably crash and you could lose all your school data. This causes much grief and is easily avoided.

Tape back-up systems (Raid etc.) are very reliable and can be installed into servers. CD Burners are finding their way into many schools as a mechanism for backing up localised records in large schools and also storing the huge files that are being produced through scanning images and the taking of digital pictures. The CD Burner allows you to store information on a CD. A CD can store up to 650Mb(approx) per disk. It is also ideal for storing images for graphics projects and web based projects. Students can burn disks to take home (one way traffic only; i.e. they don't bring them back into school. This is to reduce virus' being released onto the network!). Better still: if you can afford to use them in tandem with a multi media projector you have a great tool for getting students to discuss and develop new ideas associated with a picture.

Zip drives can also be used as backup systems for smaller schools and can be a cost effective solution, although the disks they use are more expensive that CD's.


Server Software

The server needs server software to serve out programs to the computers on the network. These are the main options available to you:

Depending on the size of your school you will probably require several servers and a web server. It may well be that certain departments require their own server located within their physical area, with a fibre optic link to the main school gateway and network. Schools can add servers as they start using more applications.

For more information on setting up your file server and the options available click here.

The file server is use to distribute:

The server requires an operating system to allow programs to be run, and accessed by computers on the network. There are various operating systems available and each has their own advantages and disadvantages. Unix operating systems are used by large institutions because of its high levels of reliability and the fact that it is free. However; Unix operating systems are quite technical and require a good technician to set them up and monitor them. A version of Unix called Linux is also available. It is easier to use than Linux, although it does still require some technical skills.


Software Required

Operating Systems

If you want to configure your own web server with e-mail client, web server software and List-serv capabilities you can do it for nothing and the best software to use is usually the free software which is the best both in terms of quality and value for money.

There is other software other than what is mentioned below. These are merely recommended options.

Web Server Software

If your domain is samtet.edu.my then staff/students can have e-mail addresses that end in that domain suffix such as [email protected]. Make sure that you use a consistent format when assigning e-mail addresses and avoid using hyphens or underscores as they can be easily confused by those entering e-mail addresses.

We do not recommend providing email addresses to students at lower levels of the school. The ability to send unsolicited and inappropriate material via e-mail is very easy and we see no need of individual e-mail addresses. We suggest that schools supply classroom based email addresses such as [email protected] .

Another issue to avoid is providing students with web based mail addresses, The reasons for this are as follows:

o The ability to send unsolicited and inappropriate material via web based e-mail is extremely easy and often the suppliers of web based mail sell addresses to inappropriate suppliers.

o Web based mail requires a lot more bandwidth to access and can slow down the network considerably.

o Web based mail is also known as gossip mail! A lot of the traffic is not productive and can be very destructive and negative. You can screen out web based mail by using your server security or firewall software to not allow web mail addresses.

There are many other mail packages that work well and do the job more than adequately.

Firewall and Security Software

The need for security or firewall software is now essential. There are a range of products available that will screen for virus intrusion, people trying to access data and will also carry out proxy caching.

Zone Alarm is the used by over 14 million users as their firewall software for individual PC's or your network. Best of all it is free.

Proxy server software
Proxy server software will "trap" most of the web site (that is being downloaded by your system), in the cache temporarily, so that the next time someone asks for that site most of it will come from the cache (a part of the hard drive that has been set aside for this purpose).

By using proxy server software you can eliminate specific sites, cache sites and provide a good record of where students and teachers have been.

The best software for this is Squid Proxy Server (UNIX) and it is free! Wingate PRO or Mid Point (Windows) can also do this at a small cost and they have user management and firewall components as well as a proxy cache.

Virus Software

You can use free virus software from PC-cillin. This is designed for single machines so if you have more than one updates will have to be done manually which is okay if your school does not have too many computers.

The two top specialist virus software programs are McAffee and Norton (Symantec) AntiVirus. These are both excellent programs and can be purchased at their respective web sites or in computer stores.