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Reddit’s r_k12sysadmin Credits: @r_channels @reddit2telegram
APC NetShelter
Anyone else still using ancient network racks from the late 90s?
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https://preview.redd.it/9lvdma5keync1.jpg?width=1008&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f0b872784bdbf77726eb7c8f9afe251783a583bd
https://redd.it/1bd5yf3
@r_k12sysadmin
Teacher Phone Numbers?
I need to find a solution for allowing Teachers to contact parents by phone, especially if they are working from home for "Virtual Learning Days" aka Snow Days.
I am wondering if anyone has a solution that I haven't thought of.
We do not want to have teachers use personal Google Voice numbers because we would not have ownership of the account, or access to the data/logs for any worst-case scenarios.
Options So Far:
1) Google Voice- This would be my preference if it wasn't so much more expensive than the others, because we are slowly transitioning to Chromebooks. The cheapest I have seen licenses is about $12 per user per month.
2) Teams Voice- This is looking like the best option for now. Licenses would cost me about $3.50 per user per month. We have some Teams voice accounts and desk phones in place already.
3) Remind - I saw on their website that you can place voice calls within remind, however, I cant tell if you can call a number not associated with a remind contact, or what happens if we have multiple numbers for a student and the first number does not work.
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https://redd.it/1bcw5ca
@r_k12sysadmin
Vendor Turnover, E-Rate Advice, and Colonoscopies
https://k12techtalkpodcast.com/e/episode-157-vendor-turnover-e-rate-advice-and-colonoscopies/
We discuss the decline in edtech investments after the pandemic and the impact it may have on the industry. We also touch on the renewal costs for VMware customers and the opportunity it presents for competitor Nutanix. The episode explores the importance of team growth in a school district, highlighting the benefits of knowledge sharing, proactive vs. reactive work, and shared responsibilities. Additionally, listeners inquire about erate efforts in smaller districts and the strategy of swapping out vendors regularly.
https://redd.it/1bcal3a
@r_k12sysadmin
Do any of your schools teach a class covering critical thinking and digital life? How to navigate AI, social media, etc?
I have a teacher interested in offering a class revolving around the world of online critical thinking. She's hoping to review curriculum and syllabi from others who already teach this. Told her I'd try to help her find some since my social net is wider.
If you have a teacher in your district teaching this sort of class and can share any info, that would be much appreciated.
https://redd.it/1bc4yea
@r_k12sysadmin
google issues
Is anyone else experiencing very slow response times with Google suite products and log-in with Google with third party apps?
Our internet connection looks fine and other things besides Google is loading quickly.
https://redd.it/1bc1qc8
@r_k12sysadmin
CTL Chromebooks
Anyone use CTL? Pros/Cons?
How’s the warranty? Accidental damage covered?
We currently use HP 11 G9 and are looking to switch. Our damage rate is too high. We send in about 40/week for repair. We have about 4k of them, and they aren’t as rugged as we hoped.
https://redd.it/1bb230u
@r_k12sysadmin
Chromebook Plus For Staff
Just wondering if any of you have Staff on Chromebooks. We are 1:1 with students. Fully steeped in the Googleverse. Currently teachers have 2019 MacBook Air. None of them use anything else but the Chrome browser. When I told my admin that I'd like to deploy Chromebook Plus to staff, they said teachers would take it as a "slap in the face". I'm so tired of managing MacOS for teachers that are really just using them as Chrome devices anyway. I could get away from JAMF, not have to worry about updates or pushing new certs for our filter every year. I could offer staff convertible devices with larger screens for almost half the price.
https://redd.it/1ba7jlr
@r_k12sysadmin
What does it mean when...
So we are going through the cyber security insurance process.
Director came by and had me sign the cyber security professional box that said I was the person who is in charge of cyber security.
I have a background in the field due to being with the DOD for sometime, but are there any ramifications or things I should be aware of since I was told to sign it.
Does this mean if an incident comes up, that I am the lead on the situation?
https://redd.it/1b9rusm
@r_k12sysadmin
Google Screencast not working for students
We're having issues getting Google Screencast working for our students. It works fine for staff accounts but for student accounts the screen loads for a little bit and then says "Can't load Screencasts. Something went wrong. Close the Screencast app and try again".
I verified that "Allow users to create and view Screencasts" is set correctly in the Student OU.
We use Lightspeed for filtering and I found this thread that indicated it might be a problem with Lightspeed: https://support.google.com/chrome/a/thread/233706258/google-chromebook-screencast-app-blocked-by-web-filter-as-unknown?hl=en
However, with Lightspeed support's help I tried several different custom allow URLs and nothing seemed to work (they though that *//projector/* would work).
I'm no longer sure if it might be an issue with Lightspeed or if it might be a setting in the Google Console. Has anyone had this issue and found a resolution? Thanks for any suggestions.
https://redd.it/1b9sou5
@r_k12sysadmin
Converting VHS tapes to MP4
Hello all,
I feel kind of silly asking because I'm sure I could figure it out but I wanted to see if anyone else has done this since I've never done anything like it. We have a collection of old VHS tapes that we'd like to convert to MP4s and put in a shared Google Drive for archiving and social media purposes. Have any of you had to to do this and if so, how did you go about it? Any advice is appreciated.
https://redd.it/1b9xi9m
@r_k12sysadmin
Looking for a SAN switch
Hello,
I am told by admin that they want to stay in the Cisco sphere.
I am mainly looking for a Cisco switch that is recommended for san to server cluster data throughout so
Jumbo frames
48 port 10gb / 1gb (can be rj45 or sfp+)
Can be stackable as I want 2 for redundancy.
Thanks in advance!
https://redd.it/1b9rm1i
@r_k12sysadmin
Is there a better way?
I'm trying to save a little money. I'm replacing our core switch, content filter and firewall this summer. I'll be installing and configuring two Extreme 7520 switches, an on prem LineWize content filter, but it is a hybrid setup with cloud filtering available as well, and 2 Fortigate 200F firewalls. I'm looking to maximize redundancy and high availability without having to purchase a second content filter appliance since, if it fails, it can be bypassed and we can utilize cloud filtering. The content filte will have 2 seperate fiber NICS, Core 1 and Firewall 1 will connect to NIC 1 and Core 2 and Firewall 2 will connect to NIC 2. Each NIC will be unaware of the other. The Core switches will utilize MLAG, VRRP, OSPF, and an IP SLA to constantly check the connection to the firewall. Each firewall will have their own connection to both ISPS and be setup in HA.
https://redd.it/1b5i6qr
@r_k12sysadmin
Collection or no collection? That is the question.
I'm new to my position as IT Director of a new school. I'm being tasked with coming up with a plan on whether or not to collect our students devices at the end of the year. My thought is to collect as we can charge for lost/broken devices or chargers. Gives us time to update computers and make sure they are in full working condition for the start of school. Second thought is its alot more work to do it this way.
I just want to know what other schools are doing and how you go about it.
https://redd.it/1b40e1q
@r_k12sysadmin
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https://redd.it/1b3z129
@r_k12sysadmin
Interim Tech Director
I have recently come into the role of Interim tech director for a K12 tribal compact school. Are there any fellow directors in here that can give me any tips or advice? Prior to this move, I was the Network Analyst/ Sys admin. I am aware of most of the projects and happenings within the department, but am open to any and all advice.
Also if anyone has any templates for documentation or policies and procedures they would like to share, I would greatly appreciate that.
https://redd.it/1b3hhms
@r_k12sysadmin
Raptor
Anyone having issues with Raptor Visitor Management this morning? We have 3 users unable to login.
https://redd.it/1bd08ii
@r_k12sysadmin
Chromebook Login Issue
This started late yesterday but apparently still an issue. Attempting to login we get "OAuth2 token fetched failed." Quick Google search didn't really produce any results. Dashboard doesn't show any issues. Firewall doesn't show anything being blocked from the chromebook.
https://redd.it/1bcvqou
@r_k12sysadmin
Help with Dell Server being used for Camera Footage. High Utilization/Lagging
Good morning, everyone! I am the SysAdmin for a public library and have recently been having issues with our Dell PowerEdge T550 server. I use the server to run an NVR application named Blue Iris. I have noticed that our CPU utilization can get pretty high, and I suspect that the GPU is not being utilized to process the camera footage... When I try to check Task Manager, I can see CPU and Memory utilization, but the GPU doesn't even show up as a graph... almost like it isn't being detected. The same for Resource Monitor. In Nvidia Control Panel, you can also see 0% utilization (although here you can see the card IS being seen by the OS). I downloaded the most recent Data Center Driver from Nvidia hoping that would help, but it didn't make a difference... After contacting Dell Support, they basically told me they can't help me since they verified the hardware is functional, which makes this an issue with the OS.
We just paid close to $10,000 for this server about a year ago and I was really hoping I could run multiple VMs off of this machine, or Docker to handle some of our local applications. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I don't have tons of experience working with Windows Server, so maybe there is a simple fix I'm missing...
Hardware:
CPU: Intel Xeon Gold 5318S 2.1Ghz, 24C/48T
Memory:16 GB DDR4, 3200 MT/s
GPU: Nvidia Ampere A2, 16GB Passive
Operating System: Windows Server 2022 Standard
https://redd.it/1bc4rw0
@r_k12sysadmin
Student Emails and passwords
So I have been at my new school for a little over a month now and I'm still flabbergasted by our email and password setup for students. We just use their student number as their email and their first name with no capitals or anything as their password! This couldn't possibly be any worse in my mind. How do you setup student emails and passwords.
I'm thinking about generating Verb.Noun for their password this summer.
https://redd.it/1bc2hd7
@r_k12sysadmin
Insurance with ADP?
Are you still offering insurance if you have an ADP on your devices? Or has anyone moved from insurance and does a technology usage fee?
https://redd.it/1bbqt6i
@r_k12sysadmin
What is everyone's philosophy on network vs USB printers?
We just finished our e rate network upgrade Thursday. I have a ton of devices that we were waiting to deploy because we are changing the wifi passwords after a decade and getting rid of our generic AD administrator account among other changes. One of then being that we are kicking all network installed printers off the ew network and making policy so all printers are set up using USB. How does everyone else handle printers? Do you even have printers in classrooms or just cannon or xerox copiers in the teachers lounge or something?
https://redd.it/1ba8of4
@r_k12sysadmin
Calendar options that you can edit and customize
Anyone have recommendations/suggestions for calendars that our admin staff can customize and edit ? I found calendar labs but they said that’s what they’re using and looking elsewhere for options that might be easier to use or create. The VP that’s been doing it on calendar labs is leaving this summer so they asked about maybe finding something that might be better, so just fishing for options here at the hive mind.
https://redd.it/1b9xhm9
@r_k12sysadmin
MyLearning Plan Salary Tracker and Certification Sections
Does anyone have info, a guide or tutorial on these two sections of MLP?
https://redd.it/1ba1fza
@r_k12sysadmin
Apple Caching Server Question
I called apple, I searched the interwebs.
I looked at logs on the Caching servers and it looks like I know the answer but I need confirmation.
Will an older non supported OS of macos cache updates for newer versions of apple macos and iOS?
I walked into 6 Mac minis that are running on high sierra that can't update anymore that are supposedly being used for cached updates for macos Sonoma and iOS 17.3
https://redd.it/1b9y7h4
@r_k12sysadmin
Ubiquiti and 802.1x, Microsoft NPS?
Is anyone using Microsoft Network Policy Server to do 802.1x authentication with Ubiquiti?
I don't seem to be able to get a connection between them, and I'm not sure where to look in log files that they are talking with each other.
I am currently using this NPS with Cisco 5520 / 3802i wifi and it works fine. I am trying to add Unifi as another client service, but I never see anything in the logs.
I am running the locally hosted Unifi management in a virtual machine on Ubuntu.
NPS is on a separate VLAN from Unifi, but I have the firewall and routing working so I can ping them from each other's VLAN.
........
It's unclear to me how this actually works, since on Unifi the APs are fairly independent from the Unifi management server, while with Cisco all traffic is passed through the 5520 to the individual APs.
Am I supposed to be directly joining the individual Unifi APs to NPS directly, rather than connecting the management server to NPS?
https://redd.it/1b9szpz
@r_k12sysadmin
Any way to see which Less Secure App a user may be using?
As I'm sure you've read, Google is turning off access to LSA's in the Fall. I ran a report to see who in my domain might still have access and I'm getting 2 service accounts. Is there a way, through the console or GAM or somewhere, that I can see what service is actually using the LSA?
I'm just trying to get ahead of any potential headache with payroll or something using an archaic system that hasn't been touched in 20 years.
https://redd.it/1b9sl83
@r_k12sysadmin
Synology and Drives Recommendation
We currently have a 4bay DS918+ that's been flawless for around 5 years. I'm looking to replace it with a rack-mount + model. I'm hoping this post can help me navigate towards what type of drives SSD/HDD and to recommend model(s) given our existing and future handful of folk that need more shared, local storage. Ideally the users would not have to download/sync any copies of data but rather edit it while it lives on the NAS and have the ability to down/upload at LAN speeds vs. Google Drive speeds.
Requirements are: Is a + model so we can retain the apps we currently have access to, rack-mount, support 10gb and support drives at least 16TB each.
The reason for replacing it is #1 to put more in the rack vs. being in a very difficult location that's behind a rats nest of wires and can't access it easily #2 to upgrade to 10gb capabilities #3 We have some grant money that we'll lose if we don't spend it.
FWIW - We have 6.5TB of data today ((2) 4TB and (2) 8TB) and I'm hoping to create a new share exclusive to 2 graphic artists, video editor and broadcasting person. They would need about 10TB of usable storage.
What do you recommend and not recommend?
https://redd.it/1b4ftnv
@r_k12sysadmin
Cast Moderator settings not sticking to a few clients
We decided to test out a handful of new Cast Moderator devices and they seem to be working ok for most people but for some users the cast moderator pinning setting is not sticking for some users. We have ours currently set for 1 year for staff, never for students, but some staff will cast with a code to connect the first time and then when they come in the next morning it doesn't show up on their devices.
When the casting with a code modal pops up asking for the code, it still informs these users that the domain enforced setting is 1 year, but it still seems to drop their connection and they will be forced to re-pair with the Google TV in a day or two.
Has anyone else noticed this in their deployment? For context one user experiencing the problem is running a ChromeOS Flex device, the other is running an M1 MBA. Both users have Chrome profile syncing enabled.
https://redd.it/1b40pmb
@r_k12sysadmin
Tabletop Exercise with Leadership
Listen at https://k12techtalkpodcast.com/e/episode-156-tabletop-exercise-with-leadership/ and all major podcast platforms.
We discuss a range of tech news stories, including articles on AT&T cell phone service outages, teachers avoiding AI tools, and the use of panic buttons for school safety. They also address a listener email about handling personal documents in district collaboration tools. The main topic focuses on holding a tabletop cybersecurity exercise with district leadership, with Chris sharing his experience leading a drill. Important lessons highlighted include making the exercise relevant, avoiding scare tactics, and emphasizing collaboration.
https://redd.it/1b3yt90
@r_k12sysadmin
Interview Questions
Hey all
Does anyone have a list of what they'd use for Level 1 tech interview questions?
Thanks in advance.
https://redd.it/1b351lc
@r_k12sysadmin
