ICT in Education Victoria 2004 State Conference

Technical Panel Session

Linux as an Intranet Server Platform

• Free:
  • Operating System (Linux)
  • Connectivity solutions (NCPFS for Netware & Samba for Windows)
  • Server Software (Apache)
  • Back End Database (MySQL]
  • Web scripting language with access to Back End Database (PHP)
  • Huge number of CGI scripts available - calendars, email interfaces
• Performs well on modest hardware
• Very flexible
  • Multiple virtual servers
    • Access mutiple home directory structures - staff/student/admin possibly on different servers
    • Basis for security - configure so that students cannot access staff/admin virtual server etc
• Isolated from file and print services
  • Intranet tasks not slowing file & print response
  • Access to Intranet not dependant on file & print server running
  • File & print services not lost if Intranet server fails

Smoothwall GPL Firewall

• Free
• Good user support forum
• Easy to install - GUI
• Performs well on modest hardware
• Scales well on faster platforms
• Well supported - security updates
• Easy GUI based maintenance
• Very sophisticated configuration possible by editing config files manually
• Can block all outgoing web access except school proxy server(s).
• Can be utilised with ISDN/ADSL/Cable connections
• Full Red/Orange/Green network support
  • Red - Internet
  • Green - Intranet
  • Orange - Internet Servers