[OPLINTECH] Open Source IPCop, Wireless Access points, Server Consolidation at Community Library

[Bob Neeper]

Something to consider for your library.

Community Library in Sunbury Ohio has recently:

1) Switched from Novell BorderManager to  IPCop for the firewall protection.
BorderManager did an excellent job but IPCop is open source (free) and
easier to manage.

2) Connected the internal network to IPCop for internet security.

3) Added a wireless access point through IPCop for library laptops used in
classroom training.
The laptops are slightly restricted and have DeepFreeze installed.

4) Consolidated the IPCop server and the Website server into one server
under VMware Workstation software.
This reduces h/w cost by allowing different virtual versions of Windows,
Linux etc. to run concurrently.
VMware can be configured to allow all changes or restore to a clean
condition on the virtual pc reboot.
The clean condition is an added security feature for the Website Server
software.


Next we are adding a second wireless access point for patron internet access
with their laptops.
The access point can connect to a second IPCop running on this same server.
This will isolate the patron laptops from the internal network.

At our next server hardware update we probably will consolidate the main
Novell non-critical file server with this server.

Future changes might be to consolidate the Circ / OPAC server and the
financial PC as virtual PC's.


Network Response Group  in Columbus proposed and performed this changeover
for us.
NRG has  maintained & updated our network for many years.


Bob Neeper

Community Library
Sunbury Ohio
http://community.lib.oh.us
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