duzzie

Sorry should of said, yes happens whether its staff or pupils.

Hi, we have always seemed to have issues with regards to the classroom printer being deployed when logged in. We deploy through group policy and computer config. Sometimes it shows sometimes it doesn't. Student logs on to machine it shows he/she logs off another one logs on and no printer showing. We have re-imaged rooms so not a profile issue. Print server is 2008 R2 and machines are running Win 7 Enterprise. Anyone have any idea what could be going on? Thanks.

I had this when we upgraded some machines to windows 8.1. it turned out the motherboard didn't support Windows 8. What operating system are you using?

Thank you, I will give it a try.

Hi, anyone know how to create partitions on a USB stick? I want to use bitlocker on 1 partition and not on the other (plug into my TV to watch stuff). Cheers

Sorry I have only just just seen this, I don't think the school can decide which way to go with regards to the curriculum it seems to change so much, with budgets how they are we are having to cut back all the time on the wide variety our curriculum offers. As I keep saying how can we be expected to implement a plan without knowing what the curriculum needs are. We have spoken with teachers and all they all want is new fast desktops along with a laptop each and an iPad. Cant seem to see the student needs in any of what they want. We have at least managed to convince governors to separate the network infrastructure upgrade from the 5 year strategic plan which is a bonus. Strangely the governors will not sit round a table with us even though we have suggested it multiple times, it has to go through our Head and Business Manager. We do have a 6 year rolling program for desktop replacement, but we still get the question do we need these machines? the question we cannot answer and the one they want is what benefit (in numbers/grades/results etc) is computers giving to students outcomes. Anyway thank you for your input it is appreciated.

We have just purchased some Brocade switches for our core. Have a look at these - BROCADE ICX 7250 or 7450. The 7250 was a good fit for us as they have 8 SFP+ ports along with 24 or 48 1GB RJ-45 ports which we couldn't find with any other manufacturer (without buying an empty 24 port chassis and filling it with SFP). The 7450 comes with 12 x 10GB RJ-45 Ports.

That is really useful, it does make a lot of sense and as you say we can get some investment short term to keep things ticking over. Thank you for taking the time to write in such detail.

Hi all, our Governors have been wanting a strategic plan for a while now but have now put a stop to any spends till one is in place. Does anybody already have one in place that I can read to get some pointers? I really don't know where to start. Getting staff involvement is going to be impossible as they don't see it as important to what they do even though it will impact on there IT facilities in the coming years. Thanks

@HPlum78 I'd be very interested in seeing the powershell script as well please.

We usually go for i5, ssd and 8gb memory. What life expectancy do most people expect from there machines? We are on a 6 year rolling programme, but governors are asking why cant they last longer. 6 years seems a long time to me as it was 3/4 years. Who knows what technology will be like in 6 years and what software packages we will need the machines to run effectively.

Sorry if this has been answered, but does anyone know how much the new Meraki System Manager will cost? Can't see anything on the website.

Totally agree Roberto, I have just been and spoke with a member of staff regarding this issue, explained I had asked the question on this forum and the replies I have received so far and got "thank you, i will have a look into this myself" obviously they just think i am been unhelpful! And yes SovietRussia agree about Apple, maybe we are not a big enough market for them? lots of school do buy devices for 1:1 so this is obviously the way Apple expects all schools to go regardless of diminishing school/IT budgets. Is there any research to show these mobile devices actually help students get better education/results? Is it a bandwagon we need to jump on or is a faze that will last a few years?

Thank you, guess I just have to live with an increased workload. Do you know if Android devices are any better at been locked down with 3rd party software?

Hi Guys, We have recently bought a small number of iPad's, created each there own itunes account and enrolled them in Apples MDM. A few issues though that have appeared, Can passcode locks be disabled? or not changed? Is there anyway to stop students from doing a factory reset? If there is anyone out there that manages to successfully roll out iPad's In the classroom and works in the North/West Yorkshire area that we can pop in and see it would be much appreciated.

I installed 8.1 a few weeks ago due to a faulty hard drive, so far so good. My colleague also installed it at the same time but has now reverted back to Win 7, I think I will stick with it and just adapt even though it is a little frustrating at times.