Putting Together A Linux Office

Setting Up The Server
Setting up the SUSE server requires executing and configuring multiple modules, and getting some training is good idea. HP offers training through its distribution partners, but solution providers are required to have some practical experience deploying and managing Linux servers to take advantage of the training.

Surprisingly, this server comes with embedded RAID 0 and RAID 5. In fact, RAID 5 comes standard. This is a big cost savings to small customers because RAID cards are usually in the hundreds of dollars. In addition to the 80-Gbyte drive, solution providers can add up to three SATA hard drives. HP also sells the ML115 with a SAS configuration, which comes with AMD's Opteron processor.

The server comes in a MicroATX chassis and meets desktop acoustics standards. Solution providers can also add the LO100c remote management PCI card that allows them to connect to that server from the Internet. The card is a must-have, especially for solution providers that are not used to working with Linux. If something goes wrong with the server, solution providers can connect to it without having to drive to the site. Even if the server is off, solution providers can turn it back on remotely.

Integrating An MFP Into The Linux Office
Integrating printers or MFPs into a Linux office network can be about as much fun as trying to fix one of those old, phantom "PC Load Letter" warnings. The good news: HP has been among the leaders in the industry in developing Linux-friendly drivers for printing and MFP devices. The bad news: Even huge efforts by the biggest company in the printer industry still fall short.

Solution providers questioned about Linux driver support for document hardware devices over the past several months have noted marked improvement in what is available and what works. In fact, many of those same solution providers have also spoken with frustration over a dearth of driver support offered by Microsoft with its latest Windows Vista operating system.

CRNtech's look at printer hardware support in the Linux Office environment, though, turned up some potential ugly land mines. Selecting multifunction printers that work with Linux requires careful research on the part of solution providers, since drivers and utilities are not always available and are not easy to use. Because most vendors are still not prioritizing Linux drivers on new product lines, solution providers have to make sure that whatever is available on open-source third-party sites will be able to communicate and work with all the major features of a new multifunction device.

Next: Linux Driver Support Critical