Reshape Existing Equipment
There are several separate areas that need to be addressed when assessing the district’s current equipment issues. To do this in logical order I will start with the end-user or our “client” machines.
Client Machines
The majority of “new” machines in the district are HP desktops purchased by the district in 2001. At the time these machines were adequate for their task and the district opted to install Microsoft Windows 2000 as the operating system on all of the district machines. The goal was to make management easier. I haven’t had time to discuss this thoroughly with district staff, and I would like to, but my understanding is that Windows 2000 was a stepping stone operating system — it was replaced by Windows XP barely a year after it was introduced and it has been subject to many vulnerabilities. In fact, the security updates for the system are numerous, it has had four full service pack updates, one that was canceled, and still has regular security patches. Microsoft is now moving away from Windows 2000, the first indicator being no support for Internet Explorer 7.
In my opinion Windows 2000 is a dead OS and is likely the culprit for a great many issues for our client machines. These machines are still viable in some capacity but I’m certain are being bogged down by running such an OS. That leaves the district with some options for operating systems.
Upgrade To WindowsXP
WindowsXP is a much more prevalent and supported OS and should be supported well into the future. However, licensing costs for all of the district’s machines would need to be ascertained and then an upgrade of all the district’s machines would need to be undertaken.
Upgrade to Windows Vista
Vista is a new and unproven OS and I don’t believe much of our client base meets the minimum system requirements to run it.
Replace Windows 2000 with Linux
Many flavors of Linux are available, in an education environment I believe Redhat (or its free counterpart Fedora) or Novell SUSE are the most attractive options. Replacing Windows 2000 with Linux would offer many benefits I believe:
- Extend the service life of existing client base — System requirements are much lower for Linux while still providing functionality for a majority of the tasks required (web, email, word processing). Existing clients could be used and converted to provide value while more permanent solutions can be assessed and addressed.
- Reduced costs — depending on the Linux distribution used licensing fees would be little or none as open source software is relied upon.
- Security — Linux is not plagued with the multitude of viruses found on the Windows platform, protecting client machines will require less attention by an already overburdened IT staff. User environments can be controlled to prevent the installation/use of unauthorized software.
- Immediate impact — One or more labs currently experiencing difficulties could be targeted for conversion to Linux thus solving the problems in those areas and build a base to convert more labs/classrooms.
Linux Information & Resources
Novell SUSE Linux Desktop
Novell SUSE Linux K-12 Solutions
Redhat Linux Education Solutions
K12 Linux Terminal Server Project
Server Machines
While our clients are old many of our servers are old as well and purchased around the same time the clients were purchased. When considering the servers it’s usually much easier to look at the services the server provides and how to address those needs.
Administrative Software
The district recently switched to Skyward to serve as its Student Information System, Financial Management System, and Human Resources Administrative software solution. Skyward is a popular solution in many regions. I am aware of isolated reports of issues with Skyward functionality. Without more specifics these are difficult to address but potential solutions could be:
- Platform Issues — Must of our district platform is Windows 2000, this could be a cause of some of the problem. Specifically Skyward is a database and that database is maintained on our servers. Skyward runs on other databases and platforms so a platform problem should be considered.
- Network Issues — Databases require a good deal of bandwidth for the client machine to obtain the information it needs. Our network infrastructure could be causing issues in this regard. A possible solution is to have Skyward hosted remotely, a service they offer call Application Service Provider (ASP). Having Skyward hosted remotely and maintained by Skyward could potentially alleviate many problems.
- Application Issues — A final possibility is that Skyward itself may not be living up to the district’s expectations. Very careful research would need to be done and any shortcomings addressed with Skyward to determine if this is the case (and I don’t know, I’m only speculating at possible problems). There are many alternatives to Skyward though, Powerschool being one of the most popular alternatives.
Also, Skyward, if we are pleased with their services, is also a complete IT services provider and is another potential vendor for more extensive IT services.
The district currently hosts its own email using Microsoft Exchange Server. All of the issues above could be attributed to this server function as well. A rather recent alternative would be to have email hosted outside of the district. Google recently introduced a new service called Google Apps which includes email, calendar, word processor, instant messaging, spreadsheet and other functions. Google Apps for Education is robust and completely free.
Web
The 2005 redesign of the district website achieved many goals, the current PHP based website is quick and responsive. The most pressing web related issues are filtering and bandwidth which are more infrastructure related than related to the servers themselves.
Storage
Many recent developments in storage technologies (i.e. Storage area network or SAN) have made mass storage more efficient and cost effective. These need to be researched to see what can be implemented short and long term. Again, network infrastructure can greatly impact our ability to implement better storage solutions.
Server Related Information
Skyward IT Services Brochure
Skyward ASP Hosting
Powerschool — Moorhead Minnesota (similar size K-12 district) Case Study
Google Apps For Education
Google Apps For Education — Arizona State University Case Study
Postini Compliance Services — Email archiving & management for Google Apps
Next section: Other Potential Solutions
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