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can we install a server and establish a network with open source technologies

Asked by Javaid

in our organization we have 50 machines all are pc based except one MAC. currently we are using windows server 2003 on servers and windows XP on clients. if we migrate to open source technologies can you tell me that
1) Can we retain all the functionality such as website hosting.
2) we currently have a web server a backup server a file server and an application server installed all on windows 2003.
3) Can we set the firewall and all other defence gadgets on our network.
4) Do we have enough venders to buy word processing, spread sheet, database, CAD and other related packages.

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Benoit Malet (benoit-malet) said : 		#1

Hello !

It is indeed possible to install everything you need on Open Source infrastructure : the only thing is that you won't have something like Active Directory and the integrated functionalities (i.e. DHCP won't be integrated with DNS so that IP adresses will automatically be updated in DNS for client machines).

1) Linux servers are famous for their use for Web hosting purpose
2) You can install a web server, a backup server, a file server and an application server on Linux (but make sure that your applications are Linux compatible ... For example, I don't think Citrix will get on well with Linux)
3) It's possible to install firewalls and other stuffs on Linux servers, no prob
4) For office productivity suites, you have OpenOffice (free, with support available). For databases, you can use PostgreSQL or mySQL (Oracle is compatible, but you'll have to pay for it). I don't know the world of CAD very well, but the GIMP (2D) and bender (3D) are well known free products.

Hope this helps !

Regards,
Benoît

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