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Prepared by Bill Maurer
February 23, 1996
This document is a plan for computerizing Mulgrave school. The school currently has a number of workstations which are not networked. This plan serves to augment these with additional workstations, a server, and a network. Note that the Phase 1 solution includes a web server which means that web publishing will be possible within the school's network by the end of phase 1. If a second phone line and modem were added to one of the workstation's dial out access to the internet would be possible in Phase 1. I have not included this in the current requirements.
The hardware requirements have been kept separate from the software in this document since maintenance and support issues are completely different for them. It is desirable to buy as much of the school's hardware from as few vendor's as possible and that these be located in the lower mainland. The best value can be realized through the purchase of industry standard clone machines with vendor support and a 2 to 3 year parts and labor warranty. The case specified for these machines is 13" in size so transporting one is simple. The cost savings in not purchasing on site service will quickly pay for additional machines. A rule of thumb for determining the cost of these contracts is generally 10% of the value of a new machine per year. This means that for every 10 machines the school owns the cost of the service contract is equivalent to 1 new machine per year.
The network cabling specified is for 10BaseT twisted pair wire which is similar to phone wire with slightly different modular jacks (RJ45M). This is the most common form of wiring currently used in local area networks and is the easiest to install. The topology specified is for 10megabits/second bandwidth.
The server configuration specified allows for equal access to files for PCs and Macs. Dial up access is provided via the Remote Access Service. Mac file support is provided via the File Server for Macintosh, Mac printing support is provided via the Print Server for Macintosh, and Internet server services (WWW, FTP, and Gopher) are all provided via the Internet Information Server. This all comes bundled with Microsoft NT server.
Add 2 PC based workstations and a server to the library and network them. Also provide a single dial-up line for the network. This involves the purchase of 3 computers, a hub, twisted pair wire, and a phone line. The network cabling will only be used to interconnect the 3 computers within the library in this phase. The hub will also be located in the library. Estimated cost is Hardware: $8,200 + Library Software: $5,000
Add the classroom and office Macintoshes to the network. The school currently owns 5 Mac LC475 and one Mac LC520 computers with 4Mb memory each. This is on the motherboard and there is one spare SIMM slot for additional memory. SIMMs can be purchased in 4, 8, or 16 Mb sizes. These computers contain a Motorola 68040 processor running at 25MHz. This phase involves purchasing 10BaseT ethernet connectors for the Macintoshes and wiring all the classrooms to a hub located in a central location. This is typically located in a wiring closet where the phone lines are located but may also be left in the library. A requirement for more memory in the Macs has also been identified.
Add Internet connectivity. This involves the purchase of a fixed ISDN connection to a local service provider and a router.
The requirement is for a package which supports cataloguing, check-in/check-out, and catalogue inquiry.
They produce a library system which is made up of a number of modules. The primary ones are DOS based which includes Circulation Plus and Catalog Plus. There is a Windows inquiry module available called Search Plus for Windows. The software is available in Single User and Multi-user versions. If ordering any FSC Multi-user product a one time Network Fee must be paid.
They produce a package called Library 4. They have a universal version which is available for Windows, Windows 95, Mac, and Power Mac platforms. Versions for each of these platforms can also be purchased separately. The system supports Circulation, Acquisitions, and Cataloguing functions.
The fifth annual survey of automated systems in Canada's school libraries:
School Libraries in Canada -- v.14(4), 1994 pg 4-9
Lighthall, Lynne
Authors: Lighthall, Lynne
Title: Automated Systems in Canada's School Libraries: The Third Annual Survey.
Journal: Canadian Library Journal v49 n5 p378-88 Oct 1992
Date: 92
Numbers: ISSN-0008-4352Abstract: Reports results of a survey of vendors of automated systems in Canadian school libraries. Data are presented on number of installations; geographical distributions; international sales; and miscellaneous capabilities, including local area networks, union catalogs, and French language. Vendor addresses and telephone numbers are listed. (three references) (MES)
When purchasing computer hardware and software it is very important to make investments which will not become obsolete or out-dated too quickly. This section identifies some of the current trends.
The next generation of Macintoshes are all based on Power PC risc processors. The current processors widely in use in Macintoshes are the 680x0.These processors do not support 'code fragments' which are dynamically loadable code libraries similar to dlls in Windows. This limitation means that within the next 1 to 2 years most software developed for the Macintosh will not run on the current generation of Macs. As an example of this the current version of Office for the Macintosh (6.0) is the last version which will run on 680x0 processors. The next version of Office for the Macintosh slated for release in Q4 96 will only run on Power PCs.
Processors on both PCs and Macintoshes should run at a minimum clock speed of 66Mhz. Most software being developed today is tested at processors above this rate and will appear sluggish on slower processors. Memory is also a factor here. 8Mb of memory should be the minimum amount purchased for new processors and 16Mb is not unreasonable for current applications.
On the PC platform there should be a realization that DOS is dead. However, it has been such a successful and long lived operating system that it will be a number of years before most products and development are switched to Windows. DOS essentially presents a character mode interface as compared to the graphical user interface (GUI) of Windows. There is no standard way that DOS presents an interface or it's devices. Windows applications present a consistent user interface and provides consistent access to devices such as printers. It also supports a clipboard which provides a mechanism for exchanging data between applications. The school should avoid purchasing DOS software whenever possible.
Multimedia computers have become the industry standard over the last year. Such systems support advanced sound, CD ROM drives, and high resolution graphics. Both PC and Power PC platforms provide equivalent multimedia systems which can reproduce audio, video, and still images from CDs. Another item which is quickly emerging as a cross platform standard is the PCI bus. This high speed bus determines what kind of add-on boards can be placed in the computer. There is a good availability of add-on cards for this bus.
At present Power PCs with the same configuration as the Workstation Hardware identified below costs approximately 100% more.
This workstation configuration is for a networked multimedia PC (MPC) which will support standard operating system requirements for the next 2 to 5 years. This configuration is adequate for internet access. Vendors should provide all manuals, spec sheets, and diskettes shipped with each of the devices in this configuration.
80486PCI-100Mhz CPU, 256K cache (prefer Gigabyte motherboard)
13" Mini Tower Case
1.44MB 3.5" Floppy drive
2 Serial Ports
1 Parallel Port
101 Key Keyboard
16MB Ram (1-16Mb SIMM)
Quad Speed CD-ROM
1GB Hard drive
14" Color Monitor
Mouse
Sound Card
PCI Video card (1Mb)
Speakers
Combo Network card
Windows 95 (Full)
This server configuration is for a server which will support File sharing, Print sharing, Remote dial-up, Email, and Internet connectivity for up to 50 connected Macs and PCs. Everything except Email is bundled with NT Server
80586PCI-100Mhz CPU, 256K cache (prefer Gigabyte motherboard)
13" Mini Tower Case
1.44MB 3.5" Floppy drive
2 Serial Ports
1 Parallel Port
101 Key Keyboard
32MB Ram (2-16Mb SIMM)
Quad Speed CD-ROM
1.6 GB Hard drive
14" Color Monitor
Mouse
PCI Video card (l Mb)
Combo Network card
USR 28.8 int. modem
Windows NT Server with 10 user license
16 Port Ethernet 10BaseT Hub
10BaseT connections for Macs
Twisted Pair wiring of all classrooms
BC Tel phone line
6596 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC, 327-2003
Workstation Hardware $1,790
Workstation Software $135
Server Hardware $2,690
Systems are warranted for 2 years parts and labor. No on-site service available.
103-8898 Heather St, Vancouver, BC, 322-1363
Workstation Hardware $1,965
Workstation Software $135
Systems are warranted for 2 years parts and labor except the CD ROM drives which carry a 1 year warranty. On site service is available for an additional $150/year per computer.
102-1245 W Broadway St, Vancouver, BC, 730-8183, www.starcon.com/mconcept
16 Port Ethernet 10BaseT Hub $450
25' assembled 10BaseT cable $18
Server Software $1090
1000' 10BaseT 8c UTP wire $220
RJ45M connector $0.45
2151 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC, 738-2181
Asonti LC 10BaseT Ethercard $155
LC 4MB SIMM $251
1391 Corporate Drive, McHenry, IL 60050-7041, 800-323-3397
Library System ($4234US) $5,300
#200-2000 Spall Rd., Kelowna, B.C., Canada, V1Y 9P6, 800-667-3634, www.awinc.com/Library4/
Library System $4,995
I would be willing to set up the phase 1 configuration for the school and train the faculty on the care and maintenance of the network. This includes the hardware and software. I can supervise the phase 2 work but am unqualified to install the wiring or upgrade the Macs. Once these items are taken care of I can ensure that the Macs are correctly integrated with the network and also ensure that the network is functioning correctly. I would also be willing and able to do the phase 3 internet integration.
I believe that the school should set up a computer committee (small) which identifies and reviews the schools computer requirements. I would be willing to be a member of such a committee. When purchasing software 3 factors need to be considered: educational value, conformity to standards, and price. I can contribute in identifying how well the software conforms to current standards and whether the school is getting value for its money. I can also identify integration issues with the school's network. I can also assist in researching software alternatives and bringing them to the table. The faculty would be best suited in determining the educational value of a given piece of software.
Until the school hires a computer teacher I would also be willing to assist in troubleshooting any problems that arise. Most of these can be handled remotely via the phone line to the server.
Specification of network cabling and pricing
Layout diagram for network Jacks
Router pricing
ISDN pricing