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As a lot of replies, Gen 8 machines are still more than capable. I’d also ways go for an SSD boot / VM device. Sata is fine for file storage imo.

Make sure the filtering provider is a IWF member. Worth checking the IWF website as well as https://www.saferinternet.org.uk

We moved many of our primary schools from the local LA to Studysafe - they’ve never looked back.

I work alongside 11 other colleagues (as a business). We use lastpass with a paid for subscription to share passwords. I’ve also recommended it to some of our primary schools. I was always a 1Password fan but lastpass works ok.

We’ve done a few win2k8r2 to win2k16 migrations. Including a P2V of an original Win2k8 physical setup. No problems at all We have a few windows 2019 hosts and a few DC’s. Again. I real issue other than a start menu issue where it resets / removing any user added tiles. But that’s minor. Can’t comment in azure AD sync tho.

I wouldn’t see that it would make much difference where you plug a computer in. I guess the slowest link would be the power line. Does the dvr have browser access (ie a built in web server)? You could simply use a smart Tv with browser or a pc on a stick that connect to a Tv using hdmi to display a live feed.

Another vote for Mosyle. Free version and you can upgrade to the paid product if you need the features. Successfully running in many of our primary schools.

Number of clients / users will have some effect. But generally I think you’d be fine. What’s the connectivity between switches like? We tried and use a couple of connections in a team for our primary schools where possible.

For primary we’ve used decent brand ssd to hold the host OS and VM’s. Data is stored in mechanical SATA. Have had no problems on any hardware - HP, Dell, Fuji etc.

+1 for somfy. Works well and you can use ifttt to help link things. The internal cameras are great with their privacy shutter. And I’ve never had a problem with batteries - not changed any yet. I do have slight concerns with the cloud based link / and it’s one down a couple of times where I didn’t have a fob to disarm ‘internally’. Always have a fob handy. The rest of time it takes care of itself with arming / disarming using my geo location thermostat and ifttt

I too started with 10.6 and a Mac Pro server. I’ve found that the only consistent thing is the inconsistency. Each new os bring depreciated software, intermittent bugs, broken features and unreliability. That was in an all Mac setup. To the point I removed domain login and used local scripts to mount user drives. In a mixed environment (Windows server) it was even worse. I’m now onto mosyle mdm for whatever I can. The good thing now is the school In question has fairly minimal requirements and things work with minimal intervention. Staff are moving towards cloud drives and sharing. I’ve come to the conclusion that macs aren’t designed for a domain networked environment. And Apple don’t really care. And I’m a Mac fan boi

Are you virtual or physical? My advice would be to go virtual. Spin up a new 2016VM and migrate the roles across. For us we’d p2v the Old server especially if running on older hardware. Although with such an old OS I’m not sure how well that would go. We’ve done it with win2k8 bit it’s a relief to update!

To be honest we do it in-house. I’ve used easily before. As long you as you access dns changes you should be fine.

You haven’t got any of the unifi’s on a wireless uplink? This happened in one of our schools and the network slowed to a crawl. Seemed obvious when I discovered it but left me confused for a while.

The first thing you should do Monday (or actually now) is start configuring an O365/GSuite system and get accounts setup. Make sure from the top down it’s enforced that ALL staff need to use work e mail accounts for work. No exceptions.

No no no. And aside from my IT angle, as a parent if they’re sharing data about my child via personal e mail I’d be making a complaint.

We still use the free version of meraki and push device-based vpp apps without the Requirement to be signed in. However I’d go mosyle. The free tier is very good for iOS. The premium is worth it for MacOS but less so iPads - for low numbers anyway. Brilliant product tho.

The one Mac suite school we have I actually removed open directory from the Mac server and used some local scripts to mount drives. The directory service was just too flakey. Same for our experience with binding them to an active directory domain. I’m a Mac fanboi but in my experience they just don’t work consistently on a domain. The best way to manage them is an mdm. I recommend mosyle (premium for full experience).

Yep. For the type of data storage you’re looking for is go for 2x4tb in a mirror. Easy enough to expand.

I wouldn’t look past synology tbh.

For photos and videos I use Smugmug. ~£80 a year. I think I can even refer you if you’re interested. Documents etc are usually one drive or google.

I’ve booked with my bro for his 40th. We’re going in May next year. Can’t wait. And to be fair, we both had a couple of kids now anyway [emoji23]

Mappings I would delete using GPP. I’m sure I used to have a local printer removal script too.

A few years ago I often mentioned to schools that if space was tight and/or they wanted flexibility then laptops might offer a good solution. In practice it means missing power chargers, laptops walking off to other rooms and general anarchy. I’d stick to desktops now.

Yep you need to get in early. They’ll never put enough network points in. Tell them where you want cabs and don’t shirk on it. Get cabs with with plenty of room for additional patch panels and switches. Think about how deep your cabs are - for big PoE or even back NAS Rackmount. Plan fibre routes between cabs. It’s not as flexible. Double network points in the ceilings for wireless. Are you planning screens too? - make sure they have wall outlets boxes and network nearby too.