Isolated Server Setup Questions
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I plan on setting up a Fog Server for a project at work. I just plan on using a computer that is not hooked up to the Lan. It’s sole purpose will be for cloning.
Can I make do with just a Hub ? Also do I have to setup DHCP since the computer will be off the network?
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Hi and welcome to the forums. Are you sure that you’ll be using a Hub? I’ve never tried using FOG with one so I don’t know about the results. However, if you are on an isolated network, FOG will work just fine. Just make sure that when you are setting it up that you chose to have FOG act as your DHCP server. That way, when the clients boot to it, FOG will deal with handing out the IP’s to the clients. Let us know if you have any more questions or run into problems.
Kevin
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I wasn’t sure if a Hub would work or not but I can order a switch instead. I assume an unmanaged switch would be the easiest way? Also which Ubuntu Version would you suggest would be the easiest for setup purposes?
I’m sure I will have more questions when I start the install but thank you for helping.
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If it’s just for testing, could you get a cheap linksys router to use? A router might be the best bet to get. We can do imaging on switches, but we are using layer 3 switches, so they can do routing.
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It will be used for the distribution of a few different images for the same brand laptop. The Total rollout when finished will be well over 1,000 laptops. I will need to do a max of 10 at a time. It will be over a span of months and not like I need to get it done very quickly. We send out maybe 20 Laptops to our branches at a time.
Currently all roads continually lead me to this Open source software because of its great features and zero cost. The cost of other software is insanely priced.
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Personally, I use Ubuntu 10.04 LTS x64 Desktop Edition for all of my FOG servers. I chose this version because this version will be supported until April 2013 and won’t have any updates that will be a true upgrade to the OS (Gnome for example). I also chose this version because it’s easier for me to setup FOG rather than doing it all through command line. But you should choose what fits best for you. After the initial setup of FOG, you really won’t be working much on the Linux box after that. For instance, today I had to log onto one server that was up for 3 months to update VMware Tools on it and restart it. Prior to that 3 months, I never once had to actually connect to it and work on it. However, it’ll be up to you for the gear you want to use. At work we use all top of the line Cisco switches, and for home use, I use a Netgear smart switch for the “core” switch. Any router will get the job done or a layer 3 device. It really comes down to what speed to you want to image your laptops at and how long you’re willing to wait for the deployment. However, if you plan on doing up to 10 at a time, I would strongly recommend looking into a gigabit device. If I could throw in my two sense, i’d look into something like this if it fits your budget,
This switch will run you a little over 200 bucks, but you’ll have a lot of flexibility with the configuration that you won’t get from stuff of the shelf at any retail store. It can also be used as a switch where you can just plug stuff in and let it go. Plus you’ll get a lifetime warranty with that device. Hope this helps.
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Before I buy the Netgear you suggested can you suggest one for home use so I can get familiar with the hardware? I just want to make sure I can use the equipment before I give a list to the company of hardware I need purchased. I would like to stay in the netgear family like the one you suggested because I have had nothing but success with them.
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This switch is what I currently use at home as my “core” switch:
[url]http://www.netgear.com/business/products/switches/smart-switches/smart-switches/GS108T-200.aspx[/url]Then I run the following switches off of the “core” switch to the various rooms in my home and connect the devices up to those switches:
[url]http://www.netgear.com/business/products/switches/unmanaged-desktop-switches/GS105.aspx[/url]Can you tell I have some networking geek in me?
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Jumping a head here a bit, Since you are doing a mass cloning, you might want to skips steps like registering the clients and just go right to imaging.
Here is a guide on how to do that
[url]http://www.fogproject.org/wiki/index.php?title=Bypass_Host_Registration[/url]But you may want to register just for the sake a keeping track of everything.