rupturedtoad

I use Bacula (free open source network backup system - http://www.bacula.org) to back up the servers to three ultrium drives. Daily incrementals, Set of four full weekly backups and a full monthly that goes to an offsite storage facility (a shoebox in the network manager's back bedroom).

Don't know if it's what you need, but http://www.sensatronics.com has lots of stuff. We use one of their temperature monitors - it has its own built-in web server and you can control it via snmp or via their software which does email alerts and the like.

The mail server I run is postfix on a linux box using ClamAV (free) for virus checking and the Spamhaus RBL (also free) for spam. This is for staff - students don't have email but use an in-house developed messaging system.

You'll get asked to sort out problems with teacher's home machines. Some will even consider it part of your job to keep their home box going. (we had a teacher bring his home system in without asking first - it sat there untouched for a week before he got the hint) Although doing the odd upgrade for staff can be rewarding, you can get sucked in to being their personal technician bitch for life.