Anyone ever converted a workstation into a server?

[Pottsey]

I have been told the only way to run the ICT KS3 SATS Tests software is to have a server. Being a small special needs school we don’t have any need for a server and only expect 1 student every other year to take the test, perhaps 2 students on good years. So getting a real server seems like a waste of money that could be spent else where on IT.

 

Anyone see any potential problems converting my own workstation to Windows 2003 server? We are not going to have logon names its only for the ICT KS3 SATS Tests software and perhaps a few shared folders.

 

PC specs are

P4, 3ghz

512meg of ram

75gig hard drive with a secondary 200gig for data storage.

Gigabit NetXtreme Broadcom network card.

[webman]

That spec far exceeds the minimum recommended for the software, you should be fine with that.

[CyberNerd]

this should work fine, you probably don't even need the windows2003 server license as the software should run on XP (I've not tried this..) It certainly runs well on RedHat.

Clearly you'd need to be carefull about keeping the machine from being switched off when the tests are running.

[ChrisH]

Currently running the QCA on a Dell SFF workstation 2.0 ghz 512 meg ram

[Nij.UK]

currently in the middle of running the ICT KS3 SATS

 

when i was installing the software, i spoke to one of there tech support, and they told me that it would install without problems on XP machines. they just need to be connected to the internet at all times

[Alex]

it's fine, as long as it's not mission critical and isnt going to be run 24/7.

 

That said, you could pick up a server from Dell for £300 ish

[Pottsey]

”this should work fine, you probably don't even need the windows2003 server license as the software should run on XP (I've not tried this..) It certainly runs well on RedHat.”

I was hoping that would be the case but I am under the impression you need 1 server to pass the accreditation process. Thankfully they did agree to drop the minimum of 20 workstations needed.

 

Anyone else surprised as how cheap the Education version of windows 2003 server is? At £52 for the licence and £3 per CAL Windows 2003 does seem very reasonably priced. I was expecting to pay at least triple that.

[CyberNerd]

Anyone else surprised as how cheap the Education version of windows 2003 server is?

Clearly MS don't want anything other than MS to be run in schools, get em hooked young and all.

 

I was hoping that would be the case but I am under the impression you need 1 server to pass the accreditation process

 

if it serves its a server.

[ChrisH]

Its as cheap to buy server 2003 for us as it is for an XP upgrade pretty much :?

[Geoff]

Does the 10 connection limit apply though?

[SimpleSi]

I run a Windows 2003 server on a 2 year old ex XP machine (256M RAM, 40G Hard Drive) no problem's at all - server licence costs about £50

 

regards

Simon

[russdev]

saying that other option is to arrange wil local high school to use them..

 

Have tests running in disconneted mode on few laptopsthen all you need to do

 

is go up to high school connect to network the laptops set the dps as disconnncted mode

 

then go back to y0our school run tests on laptop

 

go back to high and let dps pick up server and upload the results etc

 

For that few seems pointless to have to be any kind of server setup..

 

Russ

 

 

russ

[Michael]

If you decide to install Server 2003, you can easily setup a dual boot configuration, so when your PC starts up you can choose between XP or 2003.

 

There are two important things you must know however before dual booting! Firstly make sure you have either two partitions on one physical disk or alternatively two physical drives in your PC. Secondly, always install the oldest operating system first. In this case XP, then 2003.

[Ric_]

Or you could take the kid(s) to a local high school and use their system maybe?

[plexer]

With all the issues with this system and us signed up for another boards online testing system I'm seriously considering a dedicated server for this. An HP Proliant with enough RAM etc... would be reasonably priced. Then I can use it as a member server and if it all goes wrong I can wipe it an reinstall at the moment I have the APS on our PDC Emulator.

 

Ben

[ChrisH]

Eeek you must be brave

[Pottsey]

“Or you could take the kid(s) to a local high school and use their system maybe?”

Unfortunately that’s not an option with our students as it’ a special needs school. Most have behavioural problems. Some have to sit on the same colour chair every lesson or the same computer other wise they go off on one. Taking them to another school to use their computers would overwhelm them.

 

 

 

“Have tests running in disconneted mode on few laptopsthen all you need to do”

That’s a great idea even if it doesn’t work in the long term it will let us see the software in action and judge which if any students, can take the test.

[russdev]

as said better option is to use high school system but use laptops as disconnected mode at your place and staff member takes them up to high to sort it all out and reconnect etc ..

 

 

well i know you nearish to me as i'm Leicestershire (loughborough) after next week you more than welcome to bring some laptops in we will set them up as disconnected mode and you can have play with pratice tests and take them back to your school to get students to have a play....

 

 

Russ

[ICTWizard]

this should work fine, you probably don't even need the windows2003 server license also you can config dual booting! Firstly make sure you have either two partitions on one physical disk or alternatively two physical drives in your PC.....