im thinking/calling this an interlinked computer network, but is that what it is? i know this can happen that the main can control other computers, but im not sure if "interlinked computer network" is the term for it. also, im not sure router is the best for that, im just putting it there as a label of what i want. would a switch work better?

thanks for reading!

Amarxist

United States371 Posts

June 16 2009 21:26 GMT

I think what you're basically describing is a server cluster or server farm (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Server_farm). It is possible but to set this up takes quite a bit of work. For what you're describing a switch is the superior choice between a hub and a switch. For example, a hub splits 10 megabits between all ports. A switch provides 10 megabites for each port. A router is basically a hub or switch and the difference is that a router joins LANs/WANs to the internet/etc.

Instead of a main computer controlling all the actions of many computers its more like, all the computers are joined together to form a single identity of a computer (typically how its done).

Kletus

Canada580 Posts

June 16 2009 21:37 GMT

I'd go with a switch. You don't want to use a router for several reasons, the biggest one probably being cost. Routers with lots of ethernet ports can get expensive =p.

The main server sounds like (for example) setting up server2008, making it a domain controller and adding all the other pcs to its active directory. Then you can set up "remote desktop" for administration or (this is what I think you are looking for) terminal services. Terminal services can do things like running a program automatically when the user connects, drive/port mappings stuff like that.

Hope this helps a bit. Haven't touched my server book in about a year heh.

Raithed

China7078 Posts

June 16 2009 21:57 GMT

yeah like i said, a router is just a "label" i could have called it a box if i wanted to. a server farm sounds like a huge server and other computers are connected to it, too bad the link at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Server_farm doesnt specify the costs or whatever, im sure the price for this ranges, right?

Instead of a main computer controlling all the actions of many computers its more like, all the computers are joined together to form a single identity of a computer (typically how its done).

what i theoretically (just for knowledge sakes) want it to do is have the administrator go into the server computer (right?) and can control other computers that, as Kletus said, is in its active directory with a remote desktop. HOWEVER, i want how one main server computer can, for example, download flash onto ALL the other computers at once. is this also possible? can the server also see the traffic, etc? will this have any tremendous stress/affect on the bandwidth?

Kletus

Canada580 Posts

June 16 2009 22:38 GMT

On June 17 2009 06:57 Raithed wrote:
what i theoretically (just for knowledge sakes) want it to do is have the administrator go into the server computer (right?) and can control other computers that, as Kletus said, is in its active directory with a remote desktop. HOWEVER, i want how one main server computer can, for example, download flash onto ALL the other computers at once. is this also possible?

Well if you have the flash program on the server zipped up ready to go then you could just upload it to all the terminals/pcs simultaniously if you wished.

edit: After doing some additional reading I thought I'd expand on this a little bit. To upload everything the the terminals/pcs at the same time you can use a method called, "Deploying Software Using Group Policy" which requires a Windows .MSI file for the application(if you are using windows server anyways, dunno about *nix). But it allows you to deploy an application to everyone in the group(all your terminals/pcs if you wish). You used to have to have the .MSI file with the application(like microsoft office comes with one) but now you can make your own .MSI using third-party tools. Here is a helpful link:

Deploying Software Using Group Policy or just google "Deploying Software Using Group Policy" for more information.

can the server also see the traffic, etc? will this have any tremendous stress/affect on the bandwidth?

You can view traffic on servers in several different ways. From something simple as task manager to System Monitor. In your case I would use system monitor for several reasons. One it's a lot more thorough for monitoring traffic on the server and two you can even monitor terminals/pcs on the same network(active directory listing) from the server, on the same chart/diff charts to compare etc whatever you want.

edit: Forgot to mention there are also packet sniffing tools like Wireshark that might give you what you want.

I don't think monitoring will have a huge effect on bandwidth but uploading flash (for example) on all the terminals/pcs at the same time will =p.

edited twice.

Raithed

China7078 Posts

June 16 2009 23:32 GMT

what kind of impacts will it have on the bandwidth if one is to upload flash (for example) on all the terminal/pcs simultaneously? i would understand that itll slow down the internet, but afterwards should it be okay or? another thing, for example i am on one end, you are on another, this picture i drew on paint should illustrate a point more clear:

my computer being on the network, and i find a way to browse a blocked site, can it work that you get a notification on which computer is doing it, etc?

Kletus

Canada580 Posts

June 17 2009 00:07 GMT

On June 17 2009 08:32 Raithed wrote:
what kind of impacts will it have on the bandwidth if one is to upload flash (for example) on all the terminal/pcs simultaneously? i would understand that itll slow down the internet, but afterwards should it be okay or?

Two things it would impact would be the servers processor and the internet. How much, you'll have to wait and see :3. After the uploads are done everything should return to normal.

my computer being on the network, and i find a way to browse a blocked site, can it work that you get a notification on which computer is doing it, etc?

Yes, the server has a log called the proxy log or something similar that keeps a log of all URLs/IPs that is accessed through it even if the connection is denied.(this is optional though and usually not implemented since log files can add up pretty fast. It also depends if the server is running any additional security 3rd party software etc.)

Proxy Logs

A lot of it depends on the software the server is running but yes it is possible. So stop trying to look at 4chan at work =x.

Raithed

China7078 Posts

June 17 2009 00:44 GMT

oh no, this is a proposal im writing to the school as an english assignment (technical writing) so i need as much detail on it as possible, thanks for the answers you have provided.

Kletus

Canada580 Posts

June 17 2009 00:59 GMT

Technical writing? Ohh boy I had to take that. Writing guides, instructions, manuals, comparisons between products etc. Fun times =p lol.