Chris_Cook

For applications, I usually check the WPKG wiki for the command line options. https://wpkg.org/index.php?title=Category:Silent_Installers&pagefrom=FilterCAD#mw-pages I don't have scratch on our list, but we do the others and I think they are on the above link. If not, let me know and I'll extract ours. To automatically install a selection of applications, you can add some options in the deployment share properties on the rules page. I've got : Applications001={862dbac3-6445-4c09-a36e-e3cdb36371e9} Applications002={9a80a950-2081-4f67-897a-002d33f82acc} The GUID is from the properties of each application under the applications section on mdt. For windows updates, if you edit the properties of your windows deployment task sequence, under "State Restore", there are options to do windows updates either before or after application deployment. This can make the deployment take much longer.

Sounds like a good price if someone else is installing for you. The pro Software is about £525 + vat, although you can get copies on ebay for less. There is another thread on here about DIY net2 installs. I think its really common to put it on the PC for the person who will admin the system. Its easy enough to move, and probably best on a server if possible. Adding a second client is really easy. You can get the latest version (6) from here: http://www.paxton.info/1438. run the setup.exe from the install folder in that download, and choose client install. When its installed, tell it the hostname of the admin PC/server. To move it, I think you just backup the install on the old PC, and restore it to a new install. These are the instructions for an old version: https://www.paxton.co.uk/docs/Application%20Notes/AN1071.pdf Maybe see if they can do this as part of the upgrade. If you're not on v6, then you will need to update your server as well. I found this really easy. There are also phone apps for v6, but you need the pro version for that.

We've done something similar to this last holiday, and had minimal downtime. You will probably want to find/make a vm to test the move process. Some of the pitfalls we came across were: * network switch name different - it prompts you for this during the move. * VLAN settings in VM settings * we moved some VMs from one school site to another - this required static network settings to be updated before it would talk on the network * authentication issues between the servers. In the end, I had to remote onto the source host and kick off the move from there. * remember to update your backup system after so the VMs are still backed up. Is there any reason you aren't upgrading to 2019?

Another thing I've seen cause resets is bad power supplies. It would be worth checking the voltage each ACU is getting - should be about 12v, but not drop down below 11v when active.

Recently we've been getting these: https://cpc.farnell.com/adastra/bc5a-w/active-stereo-spkr-set-5-25-wht/dp/LS04133?st=Active%20speaker

We've just had 4 4250s die in the last month. Well, I say die. we don't want to pay for the new fusers. It turns out if you glue pages together, then print a picture of a pritt-stick, the page wraps itself round the fuser... We were running a laserjet 6 until a couple of years ago. It still worked as a backup in the exams office, they just wanted more space in the new office when they moved.

Sounds like you've got a good list there. Which switches are you using? HP have several different kinds which may affect how you configure this on the switches. On our A5800 core, we set a VLAN interface on each VLAN. This then added the routes for these VLANs automatically. We just needed to set the main gateway for our ISP, and dhcp forwarding on each vlan interface for dhcp and MDT/PXE booting. On each switch, you will need to define the VLANs you need on that switch (or just add all of them if its easier). You then set your uplink and downlink/trunk ports as tagged for each VLAN. For end user ports, you need to set these as untagged in the correct vlan. You should also check the PVID for each port. Some switches don't automatically set this the same as the untagged vlan The terminology for each switch can vary. If you have any aggregated links (LACP) you need to make sure both ends are exactly the same, or it may not establish connection. You will need to change your default gateways on anything that has static addresses. DHCP needs to be updated as well. You need a scope for each vlan. For wifi, it probably depends on which system you use. For your ISP link, they will need to set up a route to point at your router/core switch. When we did this, we had to setup a link segment. Its best to discuss this with your ISP, and coordinate a switch over time. Its been a while for ESXI, but I think you set up a vlan trunk to your host, then look in the virtual switch settings. The alternative is to put the host on an untagged port on your servers VLAN, which would work if you don''t have any servers that need specific vlans (like phones, wifi, cctv etc)

It should be a direct swap out. However, I'm sure your aware things aren't always as easy as they should be. Problems you might find are cables not being long enough if the new unit is a different depth, and wires breaking as they are often thin install cables. Check the rack depth as well, as if there is lots of cables in the back, you might not have as much room as it looks from the outside. If it were me, i'd find a quiet time, and carefully pull the old unit out to see what your faced with. What are you planning on replacing it with? Have you got some sort of system controller like a DBS driverack? I'd also look at the Behringer x32 rack units, as they do several things in one. On both of those, you should be able to back up the settings to a PC. You can also setup volume limiters which is a good idea in most venues.

How many wired devices currently? I would do separate VLANS for wired devices, wifi, cctv and voip. You will need a router or L3 switch to connect these vlans. You could have one for each vlan, but its far easier to do it all on one device. For our HP switches, we just added a virtual interface for each vlan on the core L3 switch. it then did the routing table for us. Cisco might be more involved, but I'm sure there is something online about it. If you're heavy cisco users, it might be worth looking at their training. You will also need to divide up your ip address range or get another range for each new vlan. Its worth thinking about how much expansion you will have over the next 5 years or so - don't make your subnets to small. If you divide your IP range, you need to update your subnet masks and other settings accordingly. This will be both on your DHCP server, and any statically configured devices. You will also need to do something for DHCP, and forward DHCP requests to your dhcp server. One of the first things I would recommend for this is a complete audit of your network - diagrams, maps, what switches you have, number of devices etc.

Xibo is great if you want full on digital signage with schedules etc. We use google slides for some of ours where we just want a simple slide show. This can be shown on a Chromebox or raspberry pi for relatively little cost and effort.

Sound volume can be solved with a limiter (which you should have anyway, as many adults will turn it up too much). Strobes should be disabled unless needed. Again, many adults will turn these on for fun. Everything else is down to correct selection of student and supervision and having someone trained setup the system. I don't think any of us are saying we give the kids free reign over the kit. Generally we need to be teaching kids how to be safe in a dangerous and risky world. Telling people they can't do something because its risky isn't the way forward. There also needs to be a clear plan in case of fire alarms - turning up the lights, turning down the sound, possibly using a mic to tell people to leave the building in the appropriate manner. Our student lighting tech seemed to pick things up very quickly yesterday.

I agree its a separate skill set, but its often a small role in a school, so often has to be merged with another role, or be part time. I had some knowledge from before I started, as did my manager. Its one of the things that helped get me the job apparently, so I can't complain. As long as I get paid, i don't mind being flexible about what I do - within reason. Finding the time to do it can be tricky though. I think some of the technical and management skills can overlap. Especially as AV things get more digital. Networks, diagnostics, problem solving, people skills, timekeeping etc are all good to know. Once you start thinking about things as systems, with signals + power + ground connections you can diagnose a lot of stuff without even understanding the details.

One school we do it, another they have a drama technician to do it. This time round, I'm trying to get some of the kids to operate. I think its good experience for them, and there's plenty they can do if supervised by a competent adult. I want to get our setup more sorted so we have less involvement with focusing lights etc.

T46 with two EXPs and a wireless headset

You can get samples on Amazon for about £10. I went by the descriptions, which might not have been a good idea. I have a DAS keyboard with the brown keys. I have to say, I'm not sure it was worth the £100+ compared to some of the modern style keyboards you can get. Not that its a bad keyboard, I just don't see that much difference. I'm all for good keyboards and mice though. Makes a big difference to a computer.

I got one of these a couple of years ago (or something similar): https://www.silentnight.co.uk/catalog/product/view/id/45/s/mattress-now-rolled-mattress-memory-3-zone/category/12/ Much better nights sleep after that, but then I didn't have the back pain so not sure how well it would do for that. However, just replacing an old mattress might help a lot. You will want to leave it to fully expand for a couple of days (they are vacuum packed), and there is a chemical/fume smell for a week or two. If you have the time, maybe go somewhere and try a few out.

I guess like any risk in a school, you need to risk assess it and work out if its worth it. If you have a good work flow, and can make a good case as to how you repaired something then it should be fine. For example, not doing the repair when you tired, taking steps to make sure you use the right value fuse and looking on the case or PCB for the actual value, rather than whatever the last person used. A work log, or job sheet might be a good idea for this - give you some level of backup if there is a query. Would only take one line for something like this - "Fused replaced on PCB. Value checked against markings on PCB". If there was an incident, then the remains of the equipment could be checked against this. After a certain number of months it would be difficult for anyone to prove it was you who did the last repair. Like with PAT testing, anything can happen 5 mins after its been tested. The important bit would be showing you had a good system of work in place. What happens if there was a fault that wasn't the result of the repair? Or if an outside technician makes a mistake? The school is still responsible for the equipment it gives to employees and students. As adults in schools, we either need to know what we are doing, not do it, get someone in, or get training.

I think common sense is needed here, as has been said above. Anything low voltage is OK. Fuses and plugs should be fine if replaced with correct and quality parts. Anything else that's field serviceable or modular. I've re-soldered boards with bad joints, and replaced usb sockets on keyboards before. Issues normally arise when things are bodged, overloaded or not done to a standard. E.G. Bare wires, sharp bits, poor quality components that fail etc. If you're returning it to how it was when it came out of the factory, then it shouldn't be a problem. If its going to be left on 24/7, then you may want to think about how good you are at repairing. A second opinion never hurts, and if you arn't happy with someone else inspecting it, then that's a good sign the repair job isn't up to it. Check with the insurers and the pat tester.

We've had some classrooms done over the summer and its made them much nicer places to be. I'd normally go for room treatments over sound equipment if there is a choice. Doing both sounds worthwhile if you are setting this all up daily. For a sports hall, you may wan't to think about balls flying round and damaging the treatment or equipment. There are cages available for this. How is the current system setup at the moment? Are the speakers in the ceiling pointing down, or on the wall? Do you have any eq or system processors? Most speakers give off a cone of sound, about 30-60 degrees wide. If you can get your audience within the cone of sound, it will help a lot with the quality of sound you get. Also, if you can avoid the sound bouncing off the walls/floor/ceiling it will help. Our halls are really bad for this. If there are just a few sound frequencies that are a problem, you can often cut them out as long as they aren't too critical. Anything between 500hz to 3kHz is important, but the rest of it you can pretty much eliminate for spoken voice stuff. You will need an eq or system processor for this, and you will want the ability to lock it down so it can't be fiddled with. Reducing volume is also really worth it, although can be counter intuitive. Keep the volume level so its only just audible. Adding more volume will just make the echo worse. If there are any other options for softening the walls, or breaking them up so they aren't just big flat surfaces will also help. Drapes and curtains over windows might be a cheaper option. Unfortunately, this sort of issue is often quite expensive to put right, and going with an experienced company is normally most cost effective long term.

No more nails?

You could modify your original script to output html instead. Change the two lines that start "txt =" and add some html code. Then change the file name at the start to c:\diskspace.html Then at the end just before end sub, open it in a web browser with this: CreateObject("WScript.Shell").Run """c:\diskspace.html"""

I'd say that's overloaded, and if not, the earth leakage on that lot is going to be near the limit of one RCD. I'd roughly guess an amp for each of the switches, controllers etc, and at least a couple of amps for each server PSU and each UPS. Possibly more for them. Whats in the other classroom? is it standard, or an ict suite? If your UPS (S?) have IEC C19/C20 sockets on them, I'd get a 16amp ceeform for each, and a separate breaker for each if possible. Then probably get each room on its own ring for all the other mains sockets. The upstream distribution board needs looking at as well to make sure it has the capacity for all this. If it goes again, find out which breaker is tripping - that will help any electrician know whats overloaded. At this point, your probably best getting an electrician in to quote and recommend for this. I'd try and make sure they have some experience with providing power for ICT systems, as they will want to take into account earth leakage and have some understanding of why you want things isolated.

Sounds about right. Whats in the racks? Is it just normal switches and ups? On the back of each device, there should be something that tells you the power consumption in amps or watts. If you convert all this to the same type, add it up, then make sure for each wall socket you're not over 13 amps (or about 3000 watts if i remember rightly). You probably also want to do that for the whole ring, which will probably be limited to 32 amps. Also, if there are lots of PCs or similar, earth leakage may cause it to trip. If its tripping the breaker, then I would guess you are over this. If its causing a problem, raise it with SLT and get it on its own ring as you said. Its one of those things where if its not overloaded, its really a business decision. So you may need to sell the benefits of it to SLT - ie less downtime.

There's this as well. I've not used them though. https://uk.farnell.com/microchip/eqco-fastecoax7501-2/ethernet-over-coax-converter-200mbps/dp/2423028 Hikvision do some HD analogue cameras that run over coax. Might be another option. Amazon have this. Not POE, but looks like it does power separately. https://www.amazon.co.uk/UHPPOTE-Ethernet-Extender-Coaxial-Security-Yellow/dp/B078Y7TD1Q/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_504_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9BF75CB5TTATRXSXQ2GM

Next time I rebuild one of these, I may steal this!. The guides tend to change with each version of the raspberry pi. Normally I google how to do it, but I think these are my notes from last time: * Normal Ubuntu mate install. * Add Chromium-browser * Don’t set a Keychain password, otherwise it will always prompt on start. If set, change it back to an empty password. * Add Chromium-browser as a start up item. Command should be: chromium-browser –kiosk –incognito “http://www.google.com/” * setup auto login I would now save the above html page on the raspberry pi, and point the chromium browser to this page. But for simplicity, you can just change the url to the published url of your google slide show. You will probably then have to reboot the pi to update the content.