I need to get some ideas and feedback concerning the way my system is setup. Here is my current setup. A cable modem into a linksys router(ssh is the only open port), one machine acting as a server (this pc is a step away from a museum), it's a cyrix pr200 with 64mb of ram. It basicly provides print services, file storage and samba for windows clients. 1 Mandrake 7.2 client(dual boots with windows), 1 Redhat 7.0 client (not for long) and 1 windows pc (kiddy games and such). After the new year I want to revamp my whole setup here which will include some sorely needed hardware upgrades. Now I don't have a lot time for system maintance going forward so I am trying to figure out the most efficent way to set this up and this is where I need you help, thoughts and feedback. I want to be able to login at any client and have the same services available, desktop and etc. Get email, browse the web, use the standard office programs and of course play some games. Now for the maintance issue, I am tired of updating 3 systems everytime a patch is issued, or I want to upgrade a program. So I am beginning to sound like I would be an ideal canidiate for a "fat server", thin client set up. Now I am wonder if there would be any gains in this senerio. A dual processor server, 256mb of memory, maybe a scsi hard (cost will drive this decision). Set up the server to provide x service, home dir's and etc to the clients. Then do the clients with either bootable network cards, or a minimmum install(base only, no X) of Linux on the local hard drive(not sure what would work better here) and use the xserver, fonts server from the server. I really want to weigh the pros and cons of such a setup before tackling this so I can plan it out. Some questions, would having the server provide x take any load off the client when running intensive applications? Can I set up x on the server so it uses different xf86config files for each client, monitors and video cards will most likely be different, or am I back to clients. If I want to play games like Q3 and SOF, can I install one set of binaries on the server and have 2 or more clients playing 2 seperate games without stepping on each other, or should each client have it's own install. I am guessing that if I want sound, usb and such on each client I would be best with linux on those machines, since I don't see how the server could provide those services for the client. Software wise I like to set up a group calander program that I can update my visor to with my appointments, expose certian appointments for my wife to view, have her be able to enter information for me to see and accept into my scheduler, plus have the kids have there own. Any recommendations on such a program? OK I have gone on long enough, any thoughts from you guys? Thanks, Jerry S.
