Getting by with less
From April 2011 CTLS newsletter–
This article is mostly “food for thought” rather than my usual “how to”. Many of you have asked for ways to simplify your networks. Here are a few ways to make your network and IT easier to maintain, more secure, and also “greener”. Give these ideas some thought, and please contact Holly Gordon at CTLS for assistance implementing any of these changes.
1. If you have a server, considering getting rid of it. For instance, if you once had Athena but now have Apollo, your library database is no longer on your server. Make a list of what you are using your server for now, such as:
Backup
Domain controller
DeepFreeze Console
Symantec Enterprise
Shared files
There may be a cheaper, more reliable, and simpler ways to do these functions. For instance, backup and shared files can be handled by a Network Attached Storage device (aka NAS), which is a relatively cheap and easy to use device that costs about $200 for 1TB of storage.
2. To secure your staff computers and resources, segment your network. There are a few ways to do this:
- As I have described in an earlier article, you can do this with a relatively cheap router.
- Or better yet, consider the GuestGate gateway, which will segment public and wireless users from staff resources, and can easily be used to throttle ports (e.g. limit bandwidth so that the staff still has enough bandwidth to operate.)
- Considering getting a separate line for your public and wireless users. This is not cheap, but you can’t get much more secure than completely separate networks!
- Do not scrimp on antivirus, backups, and lockdown products such as DeepFreeze. These save you so much time that the initial cost really means nothing
3. Look into thin client – Here is a basic definition. Thin client may or may not be cheaper initially, but consider it if you have more than a few public access computers, or if you are considering adding a bunch of new computers (say 5+) at once. Thin Client systems a few CTLS libraries are using:
Userful Desktop
American Technology Systems
Pano Logic also has experience with libraries
4. And now a little review of internet tools, terminology, etc.
To learn which internet providers are available in your area, and what speeds they advertise, enter your address into this tool.
For a snapshoot of what speed you are getting from a computer, use this tool
Understand the difference between download and upload speeds. As a library, you really only care about download speeds. Chances are that your library is not uploading large amounts of data.