[ale] linux infrastructure advice, opinions, suggestions

[Michael Still]

On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 2:01pm, Jay wrote:
> I work as a student worker for the systems admin of my school, and part 
> of my job with him is to sort of research various ways we can use linux 
> to leverage the schools' tech infrastructure and bolster the system.  
> Currently the school is MSed to death, and I and my boss are two of 
> maybe four or five real linux-nuts at the school.  He wants to get more 
> linux use on campus, since a large percentage of the servers are 
> windows and the rest are mostly HP Unix.  For my part, I am working on 
> putting a linux lab on campus that all students are allowed access to, 
> and where I can leave distros of linux on CD for people to 
> borrow/take/copy.  I also would like to get us set up as an ftp mirror 
> for linux.  My second day on the job I was able to set up an ftp server 
> serving linux isos, but it's only a (very old) desktop PC with linux on 
> it, and I'd really like to see something more useful that can handle 
> downloads from a lot more people. For your own uses, feel free to 
> download from it at ftp://metafero.elon.edu/  and if you have some 
> further suggestions for distros you'd like me to add, contact me at 
> jay at elon.edu and I'll see what I can do!

Well I just built a system called ftp.ale.org to serve as a general use 
ftp server. It is up now using ftp and http. Not all requested distros 
are there yet, but its coming along.

>
> So far, we've set up spam filters using two linux servers, but we'd 
> like to find some more ways to take advantage of linux.  The only 
> exception is e-mail.  There is absolutely no chance we would ever move 
> off of MS Exchange Server for e-mail.  We would like to get linux 
> running to do things like automate mailing list creation, possibly run 
> our Blackboard server, etc.  So, what I am looking for is some advice 
> and suggestions you all have on cool things and useful things we can do 
> with linux.  Give me some application ideas, such as mailman for 
> listserv, etc.  Anything you want to throw at me, you've probably all 
> got at least one suggestion that's worth hearing. While I'm on topic, 
> does anyone know how well you can interface with a Net App storage 
> device for use with apache (for student webspace, because I would love 
> to get this school off of windows server for at least the student web 
> server).  Additionally, does anyone know any caveats or helpful advice 
> in implementing mailman with our Exchange server?
>
> Thanks!
>
> -Jay
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Michael Still (MichaelStill at tmail.com)
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