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A simple workaround for server issues on a lab network Network
This hint won't apply to most people, but for those of us who work in the classroom with server access it is very handy. We use servers in our technology classes for two simple actions: getting materials that students need for the class onto their machines (sound files, PDF instructions, templates -- which are often created just before class or even on the spot), and for them to hand back assignments using the instructor's drop box account on the server.

Here are three problems that come up regularly (our IT guys are very good, but once or twice a semester we do have problems):
  1. For whatever reason one or two students loose their account access. They just can't log on, or they can log on but can't get to anything. Sometimes it's just a privilege issue.
  2. At the beginning of each semester, with new classes, we don't have access for about a week while the virtual paperwork for applying and creating accounts is done.
  3. Now and again the server goes down just before a class and no one, not even the instructor, can get access to important files.
This usually sends an instructor into panic mode, and my solution to nearly all of these issues has been to pass around jump drives. Then we figured out this obvious temporary solution: Use the instructor's station or instructor's laptop as a server.

Even though we can't get to the server because of account issues or because it is down, the lab is still networked. They can use the Connect to Server dialog and type in the IP address for either the instructor's station or (and I've done both) the instructor's laptop. You don't have to worry about accounts -- just log in as a guest. They will be able to see the Public folder to gather class materials and drop assignments in the drop box. (You can also use the Sites folder and, depending on the preferences or what you put there, have them connect using a browser.)

After one class using this method (where I had access but no one else did, because accounts hadn't been created), and after dragging all the dropped assignments from my local laptop drop box to the server's drop box, I tried creating an alias of the server's drop box (which I can see because I have an account) to the public area of my laptop (which they can see as guests). This worked too, copying all the assignments to the server drop box. Be careful with this, though, because they have the same privileges to the alias drop box as you do.
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A simple workaround for server issues on a lab network
Authored by: macosx4me on Jan 19, '07 01:52:02PM
As someone who manages servers and workstations, I don't think this belongs as a tip, sorry. Handing the server to a professor is just asking for far worse disasters than what you've described. This is a very backwards approach to what requires proper management policies and practice. Use Nagios or if you must PageSentry to send an email notification to the person that's supposed to manage the server if/when it goes down. And take the most informed and appropriate steps.

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A simple workaround for server issues on a lab network
Authored by: foilpan on Jan 21, '07 02:02:17PM

Your need for this hint only reveals your IT staff's shortcomings. This "tip" offers nothing more than a band-aid solution to bigger problems at a specific institution. Not only that, but it doesn't even mention how all of this sharing is done on the client side (enabling file and/or web sharing).

I only hope the author forwards this to the school's IT staff to resolve properly.



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A simple workaround for server issues on a lab network
Authored by: Ofir on Jan 22, '07 05:56:37PM

Can someone please remove this 'hint'?



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