[frgeek-michiana] Lab Notes 2005-11-08
- From: Tom Brown <tbrown@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: FreeGeek Michiana <frgeek-michiana@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:56:12 -0500
:: Lab Layout, Cable Runs and Other Network Concerns
1. Cable runs
John brought a catalog of WireMold products. We looked up prices on
the Internet and found that Graybar may have a good selection of
materials. And, Graybar is local. We will purchase what we need from
Graybar if possible.
The consensus is to use screw-in eye hooks to organize the cables at
the tables and walls instead of spend money on fancy cable run
covers. We'll use the plastic products only where it is necessary to
cover cables for safety.
2. How much cable?
John brought a laptop with AutoCAD Lite. He and Albert measured the
lab and drew alternate layouts of tables. The basic decision is
whether to remove the built-in shelving in the lab. If we remove the
shelving, we could gain 3-4 seats. John will sent me PDFs or DWGs of
the layouts to show Jodi and Nick to get a reaction from the church.
Using AutoCAD to measure the layouts, Albert and John determined we
need approximately 600' of CAT5 cable to wire the lab.
Goose is donating a 1000' box of cable left over from a project. We
need a bag of RJ-45 plugs to terminate the CAT5. Goose has a cable
tester, and John has a home-brew lash up. Both have crimping tools.
3. Switch for lab
Although we joked about one gig ethernet, we only need 100 Mbps. The
old lab has one 16-port 10/100 unmanaged switch, which is enough
ports if each table in the new lab has its own switch/hub.
Rick suggested we put low cost 4-port hubs or switches at each table
to reduce the cable needs. This seems a good idea. But, we need a
brief online discussion and a decision so I can add these devices to
the shopping list, or not.
There is a 3Com 24-port managed switch in he lab, but it is 10 Mbps.
We'll use it as the supplemental switch if necessary. If there are
problems with it, we'll buy a 10/100 switch later.
:: Workstations
1. Displays
John found a vendor, Chester Information Technologies, which offered
(15) 17" flat panel displays at $206.16 each, no shipping or tax. The
total is $3092.40. The company is located in Valparaiso, IN. The
displays are Videoseven Entertainment Line W17PS. Our original
estimates indicated we could only afford 15" displays so this is a good deal.
The specs are 1280 x 1024 - 370 cd/m2 - 400:1 - 8ms - 0.264 mm - VGA
(HD-15). If the displays' refresh rate is as good as the specs
indicate, you can play sophisticated games on the network. Organized
gaming could be a fund raiser.
I don't know what the dead pixel RMA policy is. I can't login to the
online store because users need an account. Maybe John can pursue this.
http://www.chestertech.com/
2. CF Cards
Nobody knows where the CF cards are that Jay purchased. We know they
are at the warehouse in a gaylord, but we don't know which gaylord.
Finding the cards will be time consuming so we decided to look up low cost CFs.
Mike found "refurbished" 16 MB SanDisk CF cards at Surplus Computers
for $5.00 each. Don't ask what refurbished means. The web site gave
no clue. The warranties are 90 days. New Egg and Tiger Direct have
new CF cards from $11.50 - $13.99. Too expensive.
http://www.surpluscomputers.com/store/main.aspx?p=ItemDetail&Item=CPM10295
Mike still has his CF reader/writer so we are good to go there.
3. LTSP test server
Goose will bring his Intel dualie box to the lab to test workstations
and networking. His server has a recent release of LTSP installed on Debian.
4. NICs
The consensus is to buy identical network interface cards which work
well with LTSP, 3Com905-tx is a low cost favorite at about $3 each or
less on the surplus market. This would leave our stock to distribute
to volunteers who want broadband in their FreeBoxes. Goose is the
lone dissenter.
:: Server
The only feedback I received on the proposed server was good. Even
so, I asked Rick to look at the Monarch Computer specs and estimate
building a comparable one from scratch. Rick has built servers for
his employer based on Microstar MP mobos.
:: Shopping List
I'll put together a shopping list in the next few days and publish it
on the listserv for comment.
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