I am going to list my current plans for rebuilding a Law Firm?s network. I hope that someone will be able to tell me which project (samba or samba-tng) would be a better choice, or if staying with MS is the only choice. If my plan could be changed for the better, input would be greatly appreciated: A lot of this information is useless for my questions, but I am throwing it in anyway. -------- CURRENT SETUP (to be replaced/updated) 1 Server (Proliant 1600: P2-450 (single), RAID5 SCSI storage) *MS Win2000 Server *File and Print Services (file size ranges from 1kb to several 100mb). Currently around 10gb in shared files. *MS Exchange 5.5 Server (Public Store 2.5GB; Private Store 3.0GB). 50 Desktop Users (Compaq Deskpro's w/ P2-300 up to Compaq Evo P4's. DeskPro P2-450 is the most common) *MS Win98-WinXP *WordPerfect 8 *MS Office 97-2000 *MS Outlook (running with Exchange in Corporate Mode) *Several Database Applications 10 Laptop Users *WinME-XP *WordPerfect 8 *MS Office97-2000 *MS Outlook (running with Exchange in Corporate Mode & Offline Folders) *Offline Files or Briefcase to keep files on laptop and backed up on server *Several Database Applications Network Hardware: *HUBS (evil slow junky hubs, to be replaced of course). *ISDN (I know... what the heck were they thinking? ISDN? 60 users and an overloaded Exchange Server). (Also soon to be replaced with sDSL or T1). -------- PLANNED REPLACEMENT (I will focus more on things relating to SAMBA, and some holes will be left as I don't know exactly how to do some things with SAMBA yet, or at least I don't know the best route.) *ALL Clients will be moved to MS Win2000 (wanted to go with OpenSource Software all around but that is not a viable solution for a law office at this time) Main File/Authentication Server (Microsoft would call it a PDC) *Linux or *BSD for OS (probably RedHat Linux as they offer the most corporate support). *Nice powerful system with RAID5 storage, redundant parts, blah blah. Still won't need to be as expensive as a new Win2000 Server. *Will handle authentication either through UN*X password system w/ SAMBA duplicating that(passwords could be pushed to the other servers) or thru' a pam or ldap design. Backup File/Authentication Server *Automated (through scripting) backup of main file server. *Backup Tape System (probably an Ultrium drive). *Backup as many services as possible for Main Server. Test Server *Name says it all. Used to test experimental projects/code. Mail Server *Here is where things get more complicated. I am not asking the SAMBA team for total help here as mail services are not in SAMBA's view. I will be keeping the Exchange 5.5 Server or replacing it with Bynari InsightServer (unless someone knows a better product). I MUST have a single login. *After connecting to the Main Server they should not have to put in another password (for email or backup files). *Exchange uses a directory system (not very compliant but it exist) and most alternatives use LDAP. Therefore I will have to use OpenLDAP at some point in the authentication scheme. That long (hope I don't get made into a troll) email leads up to a few questions. Samba or Samba-TNG or stay with Micro*leech*soft? What is the best route for a single authentication across multiple UN*X servers? Any other experiences with moving an office with my structure to all OSS (Open-Source Software) in the server room. Major Concerns: Single Authentication Seamless Change from users point of view. Thank You -- Intrepid -- ______________________________________________ http://www.linuxmail.org/ Now with POP3/IMAP access for only US$19.95/yr Powered by Outblaze
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Only commenting on the exchange server replacement. I heard bynari is in financial trounble. Someone recently reccomended HP openmail, actually HP sold it to someone a few years ago. I think samsung? I may be wrong. Seth - -----Original Message----- From: samba-admin@lists.samba.org [mailto:samba-admin@lists.samba.org] On Behalf Of Intrepid One Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2002 3:45 PM To: samba@lists.samba.org Subject: [Samba] What project should I use ? I am going to list my current plans for rebuilding a Law Firm's network. I hope that someone will be able to tell me which project (samba or samba-tng) would be a better choice, or if staying with MS is the only choice. If my plan could be changed for the better, input would be greatly appreciated: A lot of this information is useless for my questions, but I am throwing it in anyway. - -------- CURRENT SETUP (to be replaced/updated) 1 Server (Proliant 1600: P2-450 (single), RAID5 SCSI storage) *MS Win2000 Server *File and Print Services (file size ranges from 1kb to several 100mb). Currently around 10gb in shared files. *MS Exchange 5.5 Server (Public Store 2.5GB; Private Store 3.0GB). 50 Desktop Users (Compaq Deskpro's w/ P2-300 up to Compaq Evo P4's. DeskPro P2-450 is the most common) *MS Win98-WinXP *WordPerfect 8 *MS Office 97-2000 *MS Outlook (running with Exchange in Corporate Mode) *Several Database Applications 10 Laptop Users *WinME-XP *WordPerfect 8 *MS Office97-2000 *MS Outlook (running with Exchange in Corporate Mode & Offline Folders) *Offline Files or Briefcase to keep files on laptop and backed up on server *Several Database Applications Network Hardware: *HUBS (evil slow junky hubs, to be replaced of course). *ISDN (I know... what the heck were they thinking? ISDN? 60 users and an overloaded Exchange Server). (Also soon to be replaced with sDSL or T1). - -------- PLANNED REPLACEMENT (I will focus more on things relating to SAMBA, and some holes will be left as I don't know exactly how to do some things with SAMBA yet, or at least I don't know the best route.) *ALL Clients will be moved to MS Win2000 (wanted to go with OpenSource Software all around but that is not a viable solution for a law office at this time) Main File/Authentication Server (Microsoft would call it a PDC) *Linux or *BSD for OS (probably RedHat Linux as they offer the most corporate support). *Nice powerful system with RAID5 storage, redundant parts, blah blah. Still won't need to be as expensive as a new Win2000 Server. *Will handle authentication either through UN*X password system w/ SAMBA duplicating that(passwords could be pushed to the other servers) or thru' a pam or ldap design. Backup File/Authentication Server *Automated (through scripting) backup of main file server. *Backup Tape System (probably an Ultrium drive). *Backup as many services as possible for Main Server. Test Server *Name says it all. Used to test experimental projects/code. Mail Server *Here is where things get more complicated. I am not asking the SAMBA team for total help here as mail services are not in SAMBA's view. I will be keeping the Exchange 5.5 Server or replacing it with Bynari InsightServer (unless someone knows a better product). I MUST have a single login. *After connecting to the Main Server they should not have to put in another password (for email or backup files). *Exchange uses a directory system (not very compliant but it exist) and most alternatives use LDAP. Therefore I will have to use OpenLDAP at some point in the authentication scheme. That long (hope I don't get made into a troll) email leads up to a few questions. Samba or Samba-TNG or stay with Micro*leech*soft? What is the best route for a single authentication across multiple UN*X servers? Any other experiences with moving an office with my structure to all OSS (Open-Source Software) in the server room. Major Concerns: Single Authentication Seamless Change from users point of view. Thank You - -- Intrepid - -- ______________________________________________ http://www.linuxmail.org/ Now with POP3/IMAP access for only US$19.95/yr Powered by Outblaze - -- To unsubscribe from this list go to the following URL and read the instructions: http://lists.samba.org/mailman/listinfo/samba -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP 8.0 iQA/AwUBPfe4g2d7RWIwEvp1EQIfrACglXFFc0h+tRudVGpXSPu4imRHNQoAnArl RyhR2H4NA4vi5mZkIFCTW65M =jbeX -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
Seth: HP sold openmail to Samsung. It's called Samsung Contact now. Here's a link: http://www.samsungcontact.com/en/ Been looking at it for a couple of months now - I'm contemplating an Exchange replacement and this might the one. Intrepid: My $0.02 worth on the SAMBA issue, I'd look to OpenLDAP and SAMBA as being the central authentication process. Never actually done it, but I've been pondering it as well. There's a good article in this month's Linux Journal about OpenLDAP. You might want to pick up a copy of it. (I tried finding it online, but they didn't post it.) Hope this helps. Kevin> -----Original Message----- > From: Seth Hollen [mailto:seth@hollen.org] > Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2002 5:14 PM > To: 'Intrepid One'; samba@lists.samba.org > Subject: RE: [Samba] What project should I use ? > > > > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > Hash: SHA1 > > Only commenting on the exchange server replacement. I heard > bynari is in financial trounble. Someone recently reccomended > HP openmail, actually HP sold it to someone a few years ago. > I think samsung? I may be wrong. > > Seth > > - -----Original Message----- > From: samba-admin@lists.samba.org > [mailto:samba-admin@lists.samba.org] On Behalf Of Intrepid One > Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2002 3:45 PM > To: samba@lists.samba.org > Subject: [Samba] What project should I use ? > > > I am going to list my current plans for rebuilding a Law > Firm's network. I hope that someone will be able to tell me > which project (samba or samba-tng) would be a better choice, > or if staying with MS is the only choice. If my plan could > be changed for the better, input would be greatly appreciated: > > A lot of this information is useless for my questions, but I > am throwing it in anyway. > > - -------- > CURRENT SETUP (to be replaced/updated) > 1 Server (Proliant 1600: P2-450 (single), RAID5 SCSI storage) > *MS Win2000 Server > *File and Print Services (file size ranges from 1kb to > several 100mb). Currently around 10gb in shared files. > *MS Exchange 5.5 Server (Public Store 2.5GB; Private Store > 3.0GB). 50 Desktop Users (Compaq Deskpro's w/ P2-300 up to > Compaq Evo P4's. DeskPro P2-450 is the most common) > *MS Win98-WinXP > *WordPerfect 8 > *MS Office 97-2000 > *MS Outlook (running with Exchange in Corporate Mode) > *Several Database Applications > 10 Laptop Users > *WinME-XP > *WordPerfect 8 > *MS Office97-2000 > *MS Outlook (running with Exchange in Corporate Mode & > Offline Folders) > *Offline Files or Briefcase to keep files on laptop and > backed up on server > *Several Database Applications > Network Hardware: > *HUBS (evil slow junky hubs, to be replaced of course). > *ISDN (I know... what the heck were they thinking? ISDN? 60 > users and an overloaded Exchange Server). (Also soon to be > replaced with sDSL or T1). > - -------- > PLANNED REPLACEMENT (I will focus more on things relating to > SAMBA, and some holes will be left as I don't know exactly > how to do some things with SAMBA yet, or at least I don't > know the best route.) > > *ALL Clients will be moved to MS Win2000 (wanted to go with > OpenSource Software all around but that is not a viable > solution for a law office at this time) > > Main File/Authentication Server (Microsoft would call it a PDC) > *Linux or *BSD for OS (probably RedHat Linux as they offer > the most corporate support). > *Nice powerful system with RAID5 storage, redundant parts, > blah blah. Still won't need to be as expensive as a new > Win2000 Server. > *Will handle authentication either through UN*X password > system w/ SAMBA duplicating that(passwords could be pushed to > the other servers) or thru' a pam or ldap design. > > Backup File/Authentication Server > *Automated (through scripting) backup of main file server. > *Backup Tape System (probably an Ultrium drive). > *Backup as many services as possible for Main Server. > > Test Server > *Name says it all. Used to test experimental projects/code. > > Mail Server > *Here is where things get more complicated. I am not > asking the SAMBA team for total help here as mail services > are not in SAMBA's view. I will be keeping the Exchange 5.5 > Server or replacing it with Bynari InsightServer (unless > someone knows a better product). I MUST have a single login. > *After connecting to the Main Server they should not have > to put in another password (for email or backup files). > *Exchange uses a directory system (not very compliant but > it exist) and most alternatives use LDAP. Therefore I will > have to use OpenLDAP at some point in the authentication scheme. > > That long (hope I don't get made into a troll) email leads up > to a few questions. Samba or Samba-TNG or stay with > Micro*leech*soft? What is the best route for a single > authentication across multiple UN*X servers? Any other > experiences with moving an office with my structure to all > OSS (Open-Source Software) in the server room. > > Major Concerns: > Single Authentication > Seamless Change from users point of view. > > Thank You > - -- > Intrepid > - -- > ______________________________________________ > http://www.linuxmail.org/ > Now with POP3/IMAP access for only US$19.95/yr > > Powered by Outblaze > - -- > To unsubscribe from this list go to the following URL and read the > instructions: http://lists.samba.org/mailman/listinfo/samba > > > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- > Version: PGP 8.0 > > iQA/AwUBPfe4g2d7RWIwEvp1EQIfrACglXFFc0h+tRudVGpXSPu4imRHNQoAnArl > RyhR2H4NA4vi5mZkIFCTW65M > =jbeX > -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- > > > -- > To unsubscribe from this list go to the following URL and read the > instructions: http://lists.samba.org/mailman/listinfo/samba >
Kevin/Seth, You might want to look at Suse Openexchange Server. I haven't used it, but it looks like it was designed to replace MS Exchange. http://www.suse.com/us/business/products/suse_business/openexchange/index.html Dale> -----Original Message----- > From: Collins, Kevin [mailto:KCollins@nesbittengineering.com] > Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2002 4:32 PM > To: 'Seth Hollen'; 'Intrepid One'; samba@lists.samba.org > Subject: RE: [Samba] What project should I use ? > > > Seth: > > HP sold openmail to Samsung. It's called Samsung Contact > now. Here's a > link: http://www.samsungcontact.com/en/ Been looking at it > for a couple of > months now - I'm contemplating an Exchange replacement and > this might the > one. > > Intrepid: > > My $0.02 worth on the SAMBA issue, I'd look to OpenLDAP and > SAMBA as being > the central authentication process. Never actually done it, > but I've been > pondering it as well. There's a good article in this month's > Linux Journal > about OpenLDAP. You might want to pick up a copy of it. (I > tried finding > it online, but they didn't post it.) > > Hope this helps. > > Kevin > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Seth Hollen [mailto:seth@hollen.org] > > Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2002 5:14 PM > > To: 'Intrepid One'; samba@lists.samba.org > > Subject: RE: [Samba] What project should I use ? > > > > > > > > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > > Hash: SHA1 > > > > Only commenting on the exchange server replacement. I heard > > bynari is in financial trounble. Someone recently reccomended > > HP openmail, actually HP sold it to someone a few years ago. > > I think samsung? I may be wrong. > > > > Seth > > > > - -----Original Message----- > > From: samba-admin@lists.samba.org > > [mailto:samba-admin@lists.samba.org] On Behalf Of Intrepid One > > Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2002 3:45 PM > > To: samba@lists.samba.org > > Subject: [Samba] What project should I use ? > > > > > > I am going to list my current plans for rebuilding a Law > > Firm's network. I hope that someone will be able to tell me > > which project (samba or samba-tng) would be a better choice, > > or if staying with MS is the only choice. If my plan could > > be changed for the better, input would be greatly appreciated: > > > > A lot of this information is useless for my questions, but I > > am throwing it in anyway. > > > > - -------- > > CURRENT SETUP (to be replaced/updated) > > 1 Server (Proliant 1600: P2-450 (single), RAID5 SCSI storage) > > *MS Win2000 Server > > *File and Print Services (file size ranges from 1kb to > > several 100mb). Currently around 10gb in shared files. > > *MS Exchange 5.5 Server (Public Store 2.5GB; Private Store > > 3.0GB). 50 Desktop Users (Compaq Deskpro's w/ P2-300 up to > > Compaq Evo P4's. DeskPro P2-450 is the most common) > > *MS Win98-WinXP > > *WordPerfect 8 > > *MS Office 97-2000 > > *MS Outlook (running with Exchange in Corporate Mode) > > *Several Database Applications > > 10 Laptop Users > > *WinME-XP > > *WordPerfect 8 > > *MS Office97-2000 > > *MS Outlook (running with Exchange in Corporate Mode & > > Offline Folders) > > *Offline Files or Briefcase to keep files on laptop and > > backed up on server > > *Several Database Applications > > Network Hardware: > > *HUBS (evil slow junky hubs, to be replaced of course). > > *ISDN (I know... what the heck were they thinking? ISDN? 60 > > users and an overloaded Exchange Server). (Also soon to be > > replaced with sDSL or T1). > > - -------- > > PLANNED REPLACEMENT (I will focus more on things relating to > > SAMBA, and some holes will be left as I don't know exactly > > how to do some things with SAMBA yet, or at least I don't > > know the best route.) > > > > *ALL Clients will be moved to MS Win2000 (wanted to go with > > OpenSource Software all around but that is not a viable > > solution for a law office at this time) > > > > Main File/Authentication Server (Microsoft would call it a PDC) > > *Linux or *BSD for OS (probably RedHat Linux as they offer > > the most corporate support). > > *Nice powerful system with RAID5 storage, redundant parts, > > blah blah. Still won't need to be as expensive as a new > > Win2000 Server. > > *Will handle authentication either through UN*X password > > system w/ SAMBA duplicating that(passwords could be pushed to > > the other servers) or thru' a pam or ldap design. > > > > Backup File/Authentication Server > > *Automated (through scripting) backup of main file server. > > *Backup Tape System (probably an Ultrium drive). > > *Backup as many services as possible for Main Server. > > > > Test Server > > *Name says it all. Used to test experimental projects/code. > > > > Mail Server > > *Here is where things get more complicated. I am not > > asking the SAMBA team for total help here as mail services > > are not in SAMBA's view. I will be keeping the Exchange 5.5 > > Server or replacing it with Bynari InsightServer (unless > > someone knows a better product). I MUST have a single login. > > *After connecting to the Main Server they should not have > > to put in another password (for email or backup files). > > *Exchange uses a directory system (not very compliant but > > it exist) and most alternatives use LDAP. Therefore I will > > have to use OpenLDAP at some point in the authentication scheme. > > > > That long (hope I don't get made into a troll) email leads up > > to a few questions. Samba or Samba-TNG or stay with > > Micro*leech*soft? What is the best route for a single > > authentication across multiple UN*X servers? Any other > > experiences with moving an office with my structure to all > > OSS (Open-Source Software) in the server room. > > > > Major Concerns: > > Single Authentication > > Seamless Change from users point of view. > > > > Thank You > > - -- > > Intrepid > > - -- > > ______________________________________________ > > http://www.linuxmail.org/ > > Now with POP3/IMAP access for only US$19.95/yr > > > > Powered by Outblaze > > - -- > > To unsubscribe from this list go to the following URL and read the > > instructions: http://lists.samba.org/mailman/listinfo/samba > > > > > > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- > > Version: PGP 8.0 > > > > iQA/AwUBPfe4g2d7RWIwEvp1EQIfrACglXFFc0h+tRudVGpXSPu4imRHNQoAnArl > > RyhR2H4NA4vi5mZkIFCTW65M > > =jbeX > > -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- > > > > > > -- > > To unsubscribe from this list go to the following URL and read the > > instructions: http://lists.samba.org/mailman/listinfo/samba > > > -- > To unsubscribe from this list go to the following URL and read the > instructions: http://lists.samba.org/mailman/listinfo/samba >
Oh Intrepid One, You ask such amazing questions! Of course you will excuse a little bias on my part I am sure. Without doubt I'd use Samba. Right now the stable version is 2.2.7a (as of this morning). I'd build a box using 3WARE IDE RAID - it's faster and more cost effective than SCSI is today. If price point is an issue, check out the Tyan K7 2462 motherboard. You might like to deck it out with two MP2G+ CPUs (cheap but effective). I'd look at 4 IBM 80GB+ 7200rpm IDE drives off the RAID storage (on the 3WARE 7500-4 controller) and one 60GB 7200rpm IDE boot drive on which I'd install my OS. Consider 1Gb/s ethernet to an etherswitch that has 1 Gb/s port and the rest 100Mb/s. That combo will punch a load of performance. I'd add in about 1GB DDR RAM - also cheap and it means you will not be starved when your users hit the system hard. If price point is not an issue, check out HP and IBM servers - you can't beat them for quality, support, realiability. Same configuration concepts as above. PS: The 3WARE IDE RAID give you an I/O bandwidth of up to 452MB/s, compared with 320 Mbits/s on fastest SCSI. Big difference in poerformance! As for the OS: LINUX, LINUX, LINUX!!! As for the brand: Did you seriously check out SuSE Enterprise Linux Server and SuSE OpenExchange server? Did you check out SCO Linux 4.0 Server? Before you jump to the conclusion that Red Hat is your only choice, check out SuSE and SCO, it might not change your mind, but at least will open you choice to other possibilities. I'd also seriously look at updating all workstations to a common OS platform. It will make your life of administration a lot more peaceful. I'd look seriously at ZAW (Zero Administration Windows) - for more information you probably want to hire a consultant who knows MS Windows NT/2K/XP inside out (PS: I am available ;)). IT will seriously reduce your maintenance overheads. Samba is a great platform to build this on (commercial plug!). The only bit of the change that will NOT be seemless is the update of user workstations and notebooks. For the rest, you should be fine except that your Win NT/2K/XP machines may need to re-join the domain (assuming you now do use domain security). This will only impact you if you migrate entirely from NT -> Samba. You could always continue to use your NT Domain controller just for authentication - not nice, but useable and possibly a good migration strategy. That way you can migrate the PDC after all the other issues have been smoothed over - ie: progressive migration rather than abrupt change. PS: Your old server would be a good 'test server'. I hope this answers your questions. - John T. On Thu, 12 Dec 2002, Intrepid One wrote:> I am going to list my current plans for rebuilding a Law Firm?s network. I hope that someone will be able to tell me which project (samba or samba-tng) would be a better choice, or if staying with MS is the only choice. If my plan could be changed for the better, input would be greatly appreciated: > > A lot of this information is useless for my questions, but I am throwing it in anyway. > > -------- > CURRENT SETUP (to be replaced/updated) > 1 Server (Proliant 1600: P2-450 (single), RAID5 SCSI storage) > *MS Win2000 Server > *File and Print Services (file size ranges from 1kb to several 100mb). Currently around 10gb in shared files. > *MS Exchange 5.5 Server (Public Store 2.5GB; Private Store 3.0GB). > 50 Desktop Users (Compaq Deskpro's w/ P2-300 up to Compaq Evo P4's. DeskPro P2-450 is the most common) > *MS Win98-WinXP > *WordPerfect 8 > *MS Office 97-2000 > *MS Outlook (running with Exchange in Corporate Mode) > *Several Database Applications > 10 Laptop Users > *WinME-XP > *WordPerfect 8 > *MS Office97-2000 > *MS Outlook (running with Exchange in Corporate Mode & Offline Folders) > *Offline Files or Briefcase to keep files on laptop and backed up on server > *Several Database Applications > Network Hardware: > *HUBS (evil slow junky hubs, to be replaced of course). > *ISDN (I know... what the heck were they thinking? ISDN? 60 users and an overloaded Exchange Server). (Also soon to be replaced with sDSL or T1). > -------- > PLANNED REPLACEMENT (I will focus more on things relating to SAMBA, and some holes will be left as I don't know exactly how to do some things with SAMBA yet, or at least I don't know the best route.) > > *ALL Clients will be moved to MS Win2000 (wanted to go with OpenSource Software all around but that is not a viable solution for a law office at this time) > > Main File/Authentication Server (Microsoft would call it a PDC) > *Linux or *BSD for OS (probably RedHat Linux as they offer the most corporate support). > *Nice powerful system with RAID5 storage, redundant parts, blah blah. Still won't need to be as expensive as a new Win2000 Server. > *Will handle authentication either through UN*X password system w/ SAMBA duplicating that(passwords could be pushed to the other servers) or thru' a pam or ldap design. > > Backup File/Authentication Server > *Automated (through scripting) backup of main file server. > *Backup Tape System (probably an Ultrium drive). > *Backup as many services as possible for Main Server. > > Test Server > *Name says it all. Used to test experimental projects/code. > > Mail Server > *Here is where things get more complicated. I am not asking the SAMBA team for total help here as mail services are not in SAMBA's view. I will be keeping the Exchange 5.5 Server or replacing it with Bynari InsightServer (unless someone knows a better product). I MUST have a single login. > *After connecting to the Main Server they should not have to put in another password (for email or backup files). > *Exchange uses a directory system (not very compliant but it exist) and most alternatives use LDAP. Therefore I will have to use OpenLDAP at some point in the authentication scheme. > > That long (hope I don't get made into a troll) email leads up to a few questions. > Samba or Samba-TNG or stay with Micro*leech*soft? > What is the best route for a single authentication across multiple UN*X servers? > Any other experiences with moving an office with my structure to all OSS (Open-Source Software) in the server room. > > Major Concerns: > Single Authentication > Seamless Change from users point of view. > > Thank You > -- > Intrepid >-- John H Terpstra Email: jht@samba.org
First off I will probably be going with Compaq Servers (now called HP Servers, but they are still Compaq Proliants to me). I have good experience with them and good support. Also I am getting a good deal on a refurbished one right now. I am hearing SAMBA (with the new releases this month) a lot. Probably will go with it. But I will still test a Samba-TNG server. OFFTOPIC Not to go off-topic but... I can vouch for IDE RAID. I helped setup a large legal document depository. (Put Simply: Large file system to store gigs of tiff images, linked to a database for attorney's to index the documents. Also had a cluster of systems doing OCR, Secure Web Frontend to the documents and information.) Well we needed around 1TB . SCSI was a bit expensive. We went with a RaidZone OpenNAS <http://www.raidzone.com> which has a total of 1.2TB of usable RAID5 storage. It is a wonderful system and has been going for 9 months now without a glitch. It has hotswap drives and a hotspare. We also have a 900GB native tape backup system. Who else can say they have 1.2TB. =) /OFFTOPIC BACK on Topic I have liked the work of SUSE in the passed. I am only LEANING towards RedHat. Personally I love/use GENTOO, but if I were to leave there would need to be a support plan in place. Also, I can only buy from a company that will be around for a while, and I don't know about the stability of the other Linux companies (the ones that sell products I mean). If you haven't used GENTOO you should, its amazing. All Client systems will use Win2000. Only major problem (outside of the endless problems that all MS products have) is with WordPerfect 8. Corel does not support it under Win2000. I have a few users with win2000 and they only have a few problems in WordPerfect, but those can be avoided. By the way, this is for a law office, thats why they use WordPerfect 8. You read my mind. The old server will be the test server. The backup server will probably be an IDE system, since I don't need high redundancy on it. I will have other servers to. Fax server (might go in mail server), proxy w/ virus scanning, etc... Oh and I am looking to replace the Hubs with HP Procurve Switches. Most of that was offtopic, just wanted to clarify on John's post. Thanks -- Intrepid ----- Original Message ----- From: John H Terpstra <jht@samba.org> Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2002 22:53:35 +0000 (GMT) To: Intrepid One <trep@linuxmail.org> Subject: Re: [Samba] What project should I use ?> Oh Intrepid One, > > You ask such amazing questions! Of course you will excuse a little bias on > my part I am sure. > > Without doubt I'd use Samba. Right now the stable version is 2.2.7a (as of > this morning). > > I'd build a box using 3WARE IDE RAID - it's faster and more cost effective > than SCSI is today. > > If price point is an issue, check out the Tyan K7 2462 motherboard. You > might like to deck it out with two MP2G+ CPUs (cheap but effective). I'd > look at 4 IBM 80GB+ 7200rpm IDE drives off the RAID storage (on the 3WARE > 7500-4 controller) and one 60GB 7200rpm IDE boot drive on which I'd > install my OS. Consider 1Gb/s ethernet to an etherswitch that has 1 Gb/s > port and the rest 100Mb/s. That combo will punch a load of performance. > I'd add in about 1GB DDR RAM - also cheap and it means you will not be > starved when your users hit the system hard. > > If price point is not an issue, check out HP and IBM servers - you can't > beat them for quality, support, realiability. Same configuration concepts > as above. > > PS: The 3WARE IDE RAID give you an I/O bandwidth of up to 452MB/s, > compared with 320 Mbits/s on fastest SCSI. Big difference in poerformance! > > As for the OS: LINUX, LINUX, LINUX!!! > > As for the brand: Did you seriously check out SuSE Enterprise Linux Server > and SuSE OpenExchange server? Did you check out SCO Linux 4.0 Server? > Before you jump to the conclusion that Red Hat is your only choice, check > out SuSE and SCO, it might not change your mind, but at least will open > you choice to other possibilities. > > I'd also seriously look at updating all workstations to a common OS > platform. It will make your life of administration a lot more peaceful. > I'd look seriously at ZAW (Zero Administration Windows) - for more > information you probably want to hire a consultant who knows MS Windows > NT/2K/XP inside out (PS: I am available ;)). IT will seriously reduce your > maintenance overheads. Samba is a great platform to build this on > (commercial plug!). > > The only bit of the change that will NOT be seemless is the update of user > workstations and notebooks. For the rest, you should be fine except that > your Win NT/2K/XP machines may need to re-join the domain (assuming you > now do use domain security). This will only impact you if you migrate > entirely from NT -> Samba. You could always continue to use your NT Domain > controller just for authentication - not nice, but useable and possibly a > good migration strategy. That way you can migrate the PDC after all the > other issues have been smoothed over - ie: progressive migration rather > than abrupt change. > > PS: Your old server would be a good 'test server'. > > I hope this answers your questions. > > - John T. > > > On Thu, 12 Dec 2002, Intrepid One wrote: > > > I am going to list my current plans for rebuilding a Law Firm?s network. I hope that someone will be able to tell me which project (samba or samba-tng) would be a better choice, or if staying with MS is the only choice. If my plan could be changed for the better, input would be greatly appreciated: > > > > A lot of this information is useless for my questions, but I am throwing it in anyway. > > > > -------- > > CURRENT SETUP (to be replaced/updated) > > 1 Server (Proliant 1600: P2-450 (single), RAID5 SCSI storage) > > *MS Win2000 Server > > *File and Print Services (file size ranges from 1kb to several 100mb). Currently around 10gb in shared files. > > *MS Exchange 5.5 Server (Public Store 2.5GB; Private Store 3.0GB). > > 50 Desktop Users (Compaq Deskpro's w/ P2-300 up to Compaq Evo P4's. DeskPro P2-450 is the most common) > > *MS Win98-WinXP > > *WordPerfect 8 > > *MS Office 97-2000 > > *MS Outlook (running with Exchange in Corporate Mode) > > *Several Database Applications > > 10 Laptop Users > > *WinME-XP > > *WordPerfect 8 > > *MS Office97-2000 > > *MS Outlook (running with Exchange in Corporate Mode & Offline Folders) > > *Offline Files or Briefcase to keep files on laptop and backed up on server > > *Several Database Applications > > Network Hardware: > > *HUBS (evil slow junky hubs, to be replaced of course). > > *ISDN (I know... what the heck were they thinking? ISDN? 60 users and an overloaded Exchange Server). (Also soon to be replaced with sDSL or T1). > > -------- > > PLANNED REPLACEMENT (I will focus more on things relating to SAMBA, and some holes will be left as I don't know exactly how to do some things with SAMBA yet, or at least I don't know the best route.) > > > > *ALL Clients will be moved to MS Win2000 (wanted to go with OpenSource Software all around but that is not a viable solution for a law office at this time) > > > > Main File/Authentication Server (Microsoft would call it a PDC) > > *Linux or *BSD for OS (probably RedHat Linux as they offer the most corporate support). > > *Nice powerful system with RAID5 storage, redundant parts, blah blah. Still won't need to be as expensive as a new Win2000 Server. > > *Will handle authentication either through UN*X password system w/ SAMBA duplicating that(passwords could be pushed to the other servers) or thru' a pam or ldap design. > > > > Backup File/Authentication Server > > *Automated (through scripting) backup of main file server. > > *Backup Tape System (probably an Ultrium drive). > > *Backup as many services as possible for Main Server. > > > > Test Server > > *Name says it all. Used to test experimental projects/code. > > > > Mail Server > > *Here is where things get more complicated. I am not asking the SAMBA team for total help here as mail services are not in SAMBA's view. I will be keeping the Exchange 5.5 Server or replacing it with Bynari InsightServer (unless someone knows a better product). I MUST have a single login. > > *After connecting to the Main Server they should not have to put in another password (for email or backup files). > > *Exchange uses a directory system (not very compliant but it exist) and most alternatives use LDAP. Therefore I will have to use OpenLDAP at some point in the authentication scheme. > > > > That long (hope I don't get made into a troll) email leads up to a few questions. > > Samba or Samba-TNG or stay with Micro*leech*soft? > > What is the best route for a single authentication across multiple UN*X servers? > > Any other experiences with moving an office with my structure to all OSS (Open-Source Software) in the server room. > > > > Major Concerns: > > Single Authentication > > Seamless Change from users point of view. > > > > Thank You > > -- > > Intrepid > > > > -- > John H Terpstra > Email: jht@samba.org-- ______________________________________________ http://www.linuxmail.org/ Now with POP3/IMAP access for only US$19.95/yr Powered by Outblaze
On Thu, Dec 12, 2002 at 07:20:58AM +0800, Intrepid One wrote:> We went with a RaidZone OpenNAS <http://www.raidzone.com> which has a total of 1.2TB of usable RAID5 storage. > It is a wonderful system and has been going for 9 months now without a glitch. > It has hotswap drives and a hotspare. We also have a 900GB native tape backup system.By the way. RaidZone is using Samba under the covers to provide Windows file sharing :-). Jeremy.
>Only commenting on the exchange server replacement. I heard >bynari is in financial trounble. Someone recently reccomended >HP openmail, actually HP sold it to someone a few years ago. I >think samsung? I may be wrong.You're correct. Samsung have bought Openmail from HP, it's now called Samsung Contact. The word is that the Openmail development team now work for Samsung, at least that's what I've read around the traps. It certainly looks interesting, we looked at Openmail a couple years ago as a potential Exchange replacement, had the evaluation version running successfully with several clients. I was impressed with it, though I thought some of the administration functions could've been streamlined a little. Samsung have a demo version of Contact for download, I have it, though I've yet to install it....
I KNOW this is not relating directly to SAMBA, but since the subject was raised =) And for me, finding an application to do the job of EXCHANGE directly affects the decision to use SAMBA. (Unless I plan on integrating Exchange into a UN*X network)>Samsung Contact isn't too bad, but for the features it provides and the fact >that it's just a follow on from HP's Openmail, they shouldn't really charge >for it at all.Major Question for Contact (for all servers actually): Can Outlook run in Corporate Mode? MS Outlook must continue to run in Corporate Mode, if not I lose most of its functionality. (Bynari Insight Connector has been put down in this thread, so I won't use that to get the functionality).>The best of the lot really is GMS (Gordano Messaging Suite - >http://www.ntmail.co.uk/Home/Case_Studies.htm ) which unlike the others has >been built from scratch and is well worth paying for.%Repeat Samsung Contact question% I contacted GMS by phone. I wasn't expecting the strong UK accent though =P . The sales rep. said that Outlook 2000 was fully compatible, but I would still like to hear this from someone who has used it.>There are some promising looking products in the OSS community aswell >(RM-EMS - http://sourceforge.net/projects/rhems/ , Kroupware - >http://kroupware.kde.org/ and Courier - http://www.courier-mta.org/) > >It can also be achieved using the freely available singular parts (most of >the commercial projects are based on free components with a few scripts to >tie them together and a web based management interface). > >If you want to do it this way I'd suggest, OpenLDAP, Cyrus-IMAP and Exim. > >HTH>ShaolinI have looked at the Kroupware project but it is still in some of the planning stages. It has government support, that's very promising (Germany). I am looking to migrate in the next 6 months, or less. Thought about brewing my own, but I still would not have Outlook in Corporate Mode. I even thought of transitioning all desktops to Linux or *BSD and using an OSS Client (e.g. evolution). But Linux and the OSS Community is not quite ready to support the legal community. WARNING *** GOING FURTHER OFF TOPIC Reasons: *Fully stable and powerful Word-Processing Program (Legal documents can get very complex). *Case management system. There will probably never be an OSS one. But I am not aware of one that even runs on UN*X, and I am not about to write one. *Host of other legal applications, that use some other proprietary database. (e.g. SoftPro, Bankruptcy Pro, different software depending on the type of law practices.) If the wine project could manage to get access and all of the MS Windows Database drivers to transfer over then we would be in luck, as most of these apps are VB or VisualC frontends connected to some cheap database. *Transcript Management Apps. The one we use has an Access Backend. (By the way ACCESS SUCKS). *List goes on... OKAY I AM DONE RANTING Thanks for the dedication to OSS -- Intrepid -- ______________________________________________ http://www.linuxmail.org/ Now with POP3/IMAP access for only US$19.95/yr Powered by Outblaze