Linux Implementation Proposal HACKD, LLC. - Migration from Windows OS (2000 words)

Linux Implementation Proposal

HACKD, LLC. has a new research and development group - LSDG. All systems in LSDG will run the Linux operating system and will access resources, as well as share resources, with HACKD, LLC.’s Microsoft Active Directory domain. The domain consists of several Windows Server 2012 R2 servers running various services (Microsoft Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, web services, printing and file services).

HACKD, LLC. also has around 500 client operating system desktops/laptops that run Windows 7 and Windows XP. There is a mix of desktop and laptop systems.

Current Desktop/Laptop Configuration for Windows 7:

Processor: Intel Core i3 Second Generation
Memory: 4GB RAM
Hard Drive: 350GB
Network Card: 10/100/1000 Mbps
USB Ports: 4 USB 2.0
Monitor: 20 inch LCD

Current Desktop/Laptop Configuration for Windows XP:

Processor: Intel Core 2
Memory: 2GB RAM
Hard Drive: 80GB
Network Card: 10/100 Mbps
USB Ports: 4 USB 2.0
Monitor: 15 inch LCD

Your boss wants you to come up with a proposal to replace all Windows XP systems with Linux. You will implement the Linux variant specified by your instructor.

Specific Requirements

There are specific requirements for this assignment:
The final submission should contain at least 5 to 7 pages’ worth of text written by the student (not counting title page, images, diagrams, tables, or quotations that may be used), but may be longer, not to exceed approximately 7 pages’ worth of student-supplied text. It must be double-spaced, have 1-inch margins, and use 12-point Times New Roman or 10-point Arial/Helvetica font. A title page is required.

You must address the following in your proposal and may make any assumptions which are not specified:


a) Research and justify whether LSDG will use existing computer hardware that is being used with the Windows XP systems, or if new hardware will be required.

b) Plan for migration from Windows XP to Linux.

c) Determine the hardware to be used and the installation options.

d) How will users log onto the systems? Explain.

e) How will systems receive IP addresses? Explain.

f) How will DNS be accessed by the LSDG systems? Explain.

g) Explain how files on the network may be accessed by LSDG.

h) Explain how LSDG can securely share files within their group and other selected groups/users in the company.

i) How will printing be handled? Explain.

j) What, if any, data will be encrypted? Explain.

This material may consist of step-by-step explanations on how to solve a problem or examples of proper writing, including the use of citations, references, bibliographies, and formatting. This material is made available for the sole purpose of studying and learning - misuse is strictly forbidden.

First of all, it is needed to make a series of assumptions for the information which is not provided by the initial scenario. Being about a Research & Development group, it is very likely for those employees to use dedicated software applications (e.g. graphics, computer-aided design – on short CAD – programs). This kind of software usually requires workstations with powerful hardware capabilities in order to properly sustain the development processes. On the other hand, since the current desktop and laptop configurations with Windows XP and Windows 7 have sustained the activity, it is important to decide whether some of them can be kept to be used further by the new established group.
Generally the requirements for running Linux OS with no hardware constraints are less demanding than running an equivalent version of Windows OS (regardless we refer to XP or Windows 7). This can be explained by lower capabilities of graphics routines (in Linux) or the presence of a small number of mandatory services (this can also be customized in Windows, but it is often not done by network administrators). Since the Linux machines will serve the same scopes as previous Windows-based workstations, it can be deduced that the top-management from HACKD LLC had identified suitable software solutions (e.g. Open Office instead of Microsoft Office) that will not prevent the employees from doing their daily duties. The question whether to change the existing hardware configurations must be done also according the budget limitations (if any) faced by this migration project. Normally, since a lower number of Windows OS licenses (or none) leads to a significant cost saving, it can be stated that part of these money can be invested into upgrading the hardware components or even purchasing new desktops/laptops....