Migrating to Linux (Seminar)

Overview
According to recent surveys, more than 50% of companies are either deploying or evaluating Linux. If you're not currently considering open source solutions, you're probably going to spend more on IT than you need to in 2004/2005. But what is Linux, exactly? Is open source software really free and can you really run a business on it? Why might you want to? How can you contemplate a transition from proprietary solutions?
This one-day seminar provides the information you need to make a business decision about the deployment of Linux within your organisation. Technical detail is kept to a minimum and there is no anti-Microsoft rhetoric. The focus of the seminar is to provide a realistic assessment on what can and cannot be achieved using Linux in your enterprise, and on the benefits and pitfalls of migration.

Key Skills
After attending this seminar, you will be able to:

• Assess which functions within your business can be addressed by open source solutions
• Develop a strategy to migrate some or all of your business to Linux
• Estimate the return on investment of deploying Linux
• Find software, support and training for Linux
• Understand the key components of Linux and associated open source software

Demonstrations
The seminar includes live demonstrations such as:

• Linux installation
• Sharing files with Windows
• Office document interchangeability
• Software installation

Course Contents
The background to Linux

• A little bit of history
• Linux: Product or Philosophy?
• Open Source ethos and licensing
• Cost, support and reliability issues
• How is Linux different from Windows?
• Major open source components
• Documentation, support and training

Linux as a server

• File and Printer Sharing
• Providing service to Windows clients with Samba
• The Apache web server
• Mail servers -- alternatives to Microsoft Exchange
• Commercial and non-commercial database servers
• Data Warehousing with Linux

Linux as a network component

• Naming and directory services
• Creating firewalls with Linux
• Building routers, gateways and proxies
• Constructing virtual private networks
• Support for secure transactions and e-commerce

Linux as a development platform

• High-level languages: C, C++, Java
• Scripting languages: shell, perl, PHP ...
• Integrated development environments
• Web application development and deployment tools

Linux on the Desktop

• KDE and Gnome Graphical Desktops
• Office suites and productivity tools
• Mail tools, personal tools and browsers
• Document interchangeability with Windows
• Multimedia support and tools

Deployment Issues

• Automating installation and upgrades
• Hardware compatibility
• Backup tools
• Co-existing with windows
• What's easy and what's not easy
• Training issues for support staff
• Training issues for end users
• Pitfalls

Case Studies