I agree with all the suggestions in prior messages on this topic. Here is a
little bit more that should be considered before purchasing. AppleShare running
on OSX Server does not support Windows clients. AppleShare running under
traditional APPLE OS (upt to 9.04 and probably higher) does support Windows
clients simultaneously with Mac clients - this is a very nice and easy solution
for a mixed environment. Apple has said that it will support Windows clients
eventually from AppleShare running on OSX - they do not say when.
If the concern is audio and video only, the streaming QuickTime server running
on OSX is probably the best soluition for a small lab. It is not necessary to
buy the Apple Server machines - buiying the software and configuring a standard
off-the-shelf machine with appropriate hard drives adn software produces the
same (and much cheaper) end results.
Running OSX server is simple, but requires a little UNIX knowhow for updates and
basic configurations of the directories - no more than that.
Streaming technology has one disadvantage for language labs: access to various
points in the file has a three to ten second delay. This is no real problem,
since the directories on an OSX server can be arranged in such manner that
students can get access to the same file as streaming clientsand as file sharing
clients simultaneously. Under file sharing access the access is without delay.
A basic lab server should be connected to a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply),
the hard drives should be monitored as to warranty periods and life expectancy
- they will die after one, three or five years in a very predictable fashion.
Otmar