Linux/Unix in the classroom

[keyser_soze at bad-one.com]

On Sat, 18 Jan 2003, Jerry Feldman wrote:
> It would be nice if I could get Northeastern to do something like use
> dual boot. But, I only teach 1 course per quarter. But, my suggestions
> to NEU were pretty much on the same line. 


Another alternative is to set up clones that boot up over the network.  
You would distribute boot disks that only contain boot loaders.  When the
clones boot up, they would retrieve the kernel and root file system image
from the boot server, and place the rfs on a ram disk created by the boot 
loader.

Advantages are that you can run linux on all available pc's all day long,
without ever having to install it on any of them (cept the boot server of
course).  So you don't have to create any dual boot setups, or buy any
removable hardware, etc.  To return a clone back to winDOH's, just remove
the boot disk and reboot.  There will be no trace of linux ever running on
the pc's depending on your setup.

The disadvantage is that it does involve a bit of work setting up the boot
server.  This is because you'll have to tackle all types of issues like
deciding on how to handle /var, /etc, etc.  For instance you *could* use
the local hard drive to store just these directories, or you could have
the boot server run nfs and the clones would run scripts to key on their
own macs for identity in order to determine where to store files on the
nfs, or you could develop some other crack-headed scheme along the same
lines.