Recommendations for Removing RM

[-Dan]

Hi

 

We are thinking about quitting RM, at the moment we have a CC4 Network but am looking at having a Vanilla network.

 

Can anyone recommended any companies to help come into the school and consult us and assists with switching to vanilla from RM. We will also be purchasing new servers hence we thought would be a good time to do the switch.

 

Has anyone done this at there own school?

 

Many Thanks!

 

Edit. Should have mentioned "Windows Vanilla Network"

Edited March 24, 2014 by -Dan

[winng]

Did something similar two summers ago. Went from a Linux based server operating system, etc. to a vanilla Windows based server operating system. I used a company called Breathe Technology to handle the complete project which left my own staff to work on desktops/laptops updates/upgrades, etc.

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

Did something similar two summers ago. Went from a Linux based server operating system, etc. to a vanilla Windows based server operating system. I used a company called Breathe Technology to handle the complete project which left my own staff to work on desktops/laptops updates/upgrades, etc.

[mikeyw]

We are currently with DMS Netflow the support they offer is 1st class.

Netflow

If you want to know more details send me a pm i am more than happy to answer any questions.

[Roberto]

Countless people can do it for you, including RM themselves by the way.

 

Once you strip back the fancy RM front end there is nothing special about a Windows network running connect, so a conversion to a "vanilla network" is really rather trivial. I'm not saying this to be snide but rather to say that (assuming you're not doing anything that fancy on top of things, don't let any consultants bill you like you're asking them to do brain surgery in boxing gloves and a blindfold.

[Steven_Cleaver]

Could also try these guys as well Burconix Ltd I know they have helped quite a few RM schools along these lines and can't praise them highly enough, offer whole raft of support and there own software tools but only if you want. Very all IT engineers so no sort of heavy handed sales or over pricing.

[Jasbo]

Went from RM to vanilla with the help of a company called CSE 2 years ago. They helped with:

 

Planned new infrastructure and severs, built up a new server infrastructure while running the old one. Lots of testing, then swapped over to and migrated data to new setup over summer holidays.

 

Went okay and would recommend them to a friend.

[techy32]

Hi there,

Last summer we went from RM CC3 to vanilla network with the help of Stone Group. Their senior engineer did all the work. He is a top class engineer. During the process of changing the network he inspired us with his hard work , dedication and ability to solve every IT problem. We learnt a lot from him all the way.

 

We went for vmware 5.1 with 3 hosts 128 GB memory on each host with dot hill SAN.

 

Let me know if you need anymore information.

[ICTDirect_Dave]

Hi Dan,

 

Whilst I can't offer any practical insight on what hiccups you might encounter along the way, I can suggest that your life will be a happier one once you've competed the switch

 

I can also offer you some fantastic pricing on server hardware, enabling you to get far more for your money

 

Drop me a PM if you want to chat.

[PotNoodleTech]

My reccomendation for removing RM is to:

 

http://a1.mzstatic.com/us/r30/Purple/e1/11/d5/mzl.ynsnlsza.175x175-75.jpg

[GeekyPete]

Seems to me that you are not so much as removing RM as starting over with new servers. Which is exactly what I would do.

 

Get your new servers early, even if you can't rack them up until the old ones come out. Set up your network on a separate IP range as a new domain. Or Use a separate switch for this if you don't have layer 3 switching or can't config your own vlans. Build test stations. Migrate your user accounts while your existing network carries on. Decide on what you want to control via GPOs in advance and get them working. Test Everything, printers, internet, filtering, just everything. Then at switchover you need to just migrate data and rebuild the clients. This could be phased if you have the rack space for both sets of servers.

[Oaktech]

I've just spent a very satisfying few minutes peeling the RM stickers off hardware that no longer has RM software on it! We are getting there!