Contents
This page is created to become a main guide to people that are new to DebianEdu. Once you get a DebianEdu network up and running, it will be easier to learn more about it or extent its features. The objective of this page is to provide detailed help on how to prepare a topology and install the current version of DebianEdu.
DebianEdu current version: Stretch
Get a DebianEdu copy
Check the Get a Copy page to learn how to get a copy.
Prepare a basic topology
Minimum hardware components
1 Gateway (class A ip capable).
2 Switch (preferable minimum of gigabit technlogy).
1 Computer to act as a main-server with two ethernet cards. Preferably with high RAM provision and multiple cores.
1 Thin client with an ethernet card. Preferably network boot capable.
Basic topology scheme
The image below represents a simple topology that could perfectly fit to a small academy's needs. If you are just experimenting, it is strongly recommended that you start trying with this example and once you get it, expand from it. If you keep it simple, chances are it will be easier for you to detect and isolate problems as they arise. Additionally you probably will have to buy few material.
Connect a switch to the gateway. Check that your gateway have a "class A" dhcp server (providing ip's similar to 10.0.0.1). Most home router will not be able to serve class A ip's. If that is your case the easiest solution is to place a capable router between the gateway and the switch. TIP: Consider this article as a cheap way of acquiring a class A capable device. http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attack-turn-your-60-router-into-a-600-router
- Connect the switch to the main-server's interface reserved for the Internet connection. Remember that a main-server needs two network interfaces (that is two ethernet boards, preferably gigabit technology).
- Connect the second interface to a second switch.
- Connect any thin client you want on the network to the second switch.
You are done with the basics. The network can host more types of nodes but by now it's enough with this. Actually you could even omit the switch 10.0.0.0/8 if you only wanted a thin-client server and didn't need any individual workstation connected to the main network. Even though, that switch is useful because the machines connected to it, when booting are provided with a menu that allows to install new nodes on the network. That is the preferred method to add new nodes on the network as most of the configuration is made automatically.
Install a main-server
A detailed guide is being prepared. Meanwhile refer to the Installation page.
Additional notes
Consider running a test install using virtual machines.
A list of tested hardware is available. Please help update it with any computers you have used.