[wplug] Academic Linux Support Issues

[Poyner, Brandon]

I would consider a different approach by using virtualization.  You
could using something like Xen to create guest OS installations while
not compromising the host OS.  It's much like VMWare only without
expensive licensing issues.  You could even permit the faculty root
access on the guest and if they hose it up just stop the instance,
restore a snapshot image, and start it back up.  This all depends on how
accommodating you want to be.

Brandon Poyner
Network Engineer III
CCAC - College Office
412-237-3086
 
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: wplug-bounces+bpoyner=ccac.edu at wplug.org 
> [mailto:wplug-bounces+bpoyner=ccac.edu at wplug.org] On Behalf 
> Of Matthew T. Engel
> Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 10:51 AM
> To: WPLUG
> Subject: [wplug] Academic Linux Support Issues
> 
> Hello Everyone....
> 
> I work as a systems admin for a comp sci dept.  As of recently I have
> been getting a lot of last minute requests for software library
> installs.  Mainly for graphics and audio based programming
> assignments.  
> 
> While, I try to keep up with installation requests as best as 
> possible,
> these things types of tasks have a way of building up.  As a means of
> policy I usually only install software during semester breaks.
> (However, I try to accommodate as many install requests as I can.)
> 
> The faculty that have been making the requests have also 
> inquired about
> obtaining root passwords (I politely said no).  But then also inquired
> about some kind of NFS mountable resource, or comparable solution.
> Where they could upload library like resources for student to link to
> (via env var).
> 
> QUESTION:  Has anyone ever come across similar issues?  Does 
> anyone know
> I might accommodate this request without compromising the rest of the
> systems.  Could this simply be solved by allowing the faculty write
> access to a single /usr/local/ partition, and then sharing /usr/local,
> read only to the rest of the lab machines?
> 
> Thank you in advance.
> 
> Matt Engel
> 
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