Incase this did not make it out the last time. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: aki <aki275@googlemail.com> Date: Sat, Mar 28, 2009 at 8:50 PM Subject: Re: [Skunkworks] skunks Project X : Open Knowledge To: skunkworks@my.co.ke I've briefly listed a few things about the SAS solution. There are many aspects that can be developed. While we continue to import, download and install different versions open source software as a solution for various reasons, we keep promoting companies that have come together to produce such. Our dependency on such has lead to various setbacks such as minimal local development, greater dependency for less than tailored solutions , expensive investments and long turn around implementation times and not developing a talent pool for future generations to take to greater heights. Commercially, we fork out money easily to SAS providers when the we need to implement or design systems. All SAS providers have one thing in common. Software designed on Open source but supported commercially. The concept of offering SAS commercial services is a simple one. The OS is free where one can download and install the developed ISO image easily but commercial support is payable and annual. We too can take this step a little further and develop a similar SAS locally with support levels for various clients. The proposal : Whether based on Linux or *BSD, we can come up with these all on ONE distributable CD. I suggest these as the basis for development: Functionality of the SAS CD (not restricted to). - Base OS : Open Source - DNS Server with multi-domain capability - Squid Proxy with domain - Firewall - Mail Server with spam assassin - Mail server with webmail facility - Active Directory integration - Local User accounts and Groups ( sql )for Proxy, Mail Server - Open VPN server - Open Messenger Server - Open virtualization - Network services and Routing capabilities - Bandwidth control - Graphing reports for statistics - Network Intrusion detection system for security For administration by system admin, tech managers etc: - Ability to selectively restart services and modules - Backup feature - Restore feature - Pruning feature - Update feature - Soft shutdown/restart feature - Reprots graphs for security, usages, cpu levels The install procedure and first logon by end user: - The CD should be freely distributed by vendors, supermarkets, online, agents or directly from say eg LPAK or any other entity. The client whether it a service provider, corporate or end user will follow these install instructions ( to be included ) : - Insert CD into hardware. At bootup, the installer will prompt for the usual setup of country, time zone, and partitioning information, networking information, machine name. Once these parameters are entered, the installer shall complete the installation - On reboot, the CD must be removed from hardware. During boot, the system will display a check list of all services started up. The administration of services offered on SAS CD after install: - web interface to allow registration of serial number - web interface to allow control of all services running - web interface to allow configs of system . A pdf manual with basic configs to be provided or chargeable rates apply for real time support Suggested Chargeable service provided by SAS CD company/association: a) For a new installation: 10-25 users @ 10 usd each 25-100 users @ 7 usd each 100-250 users @ 5 usd each 250-500 users @ 3 usd each 500-1000 users @ 1.5usd each Suggested annual support charges provided by SAS CD company/association: - a) Annual support charges: 10-25 users @ 2 usd each 25-100 users @ 3 usd each 100-250 users @ 5 usd each 250-500 users @ 7 usd each 500-1000 users @ 10 usd each What will we have achieved: - A one stop SAS solution for quick deployment, in a lot of cases same day service - A centralised support system and revenue generation - A business case for commercial services - Create talent pools for further development of other solutions that can be added to the growing portfolio of the SAS CD. We can go into the business case of this project in the next update. All comments are welcome to further this discussion. Im sorry time was very short, so i had to leave out a few things.