[NW] A California city rebuilds network using all open source software - Overclock.net

endo · 11-27-07

Quote:

When the city of Madera, Calif., needed a new voice system, it turned to open source technology -- not just for the IP telephony but for an entire network-infrastructure overhaul and loads of other functions. All the renovations cost less than half the estimated price of deploying a commercial VoIP system alone. This smart, budget-wise use of open source across the network wins the city a 2007 Enterprise All-Star Award.

Savings from all corners
The city's foray into open source began two years ago, when it brought on a new network manager, Paul Wheeler, specifically to shepherd through the VoIP conversion. Based on RFPs, the city was bracing itself to spend $350,000 to $400,000 to rip out a 25-year-old Mitel Networks PBX and replace it with a VoIP system.For the city, with its annual budget of $100 million and 500 employees, the new phone system would be a major expense.

Madera had set aside $140,000 for the project when Wheeler arrived. He wound up overhauling the entire city network, however, with open source applications that have expanded services at very little cost. "It turns out I gave them far more for that $140,000, and I never needed another penny," he says.

source

good article.

MangoMan · 11-27-07

Huh... Well that's nice, except when old Wheeler leaves the city will be screwed because of the infrastructure he has put in place is known by him and designed by him. Also hiring people that understand linux apps and open source systems will cost as much as a product designed for the purpose. I guess in the long run Wheeler gets job security and things do the same thing they always have, cost money.

h4rdcor3 · 11-27-07

If they bring on another person for 3 years to learn along side wheeler they shouldn't have a problem. At $80,000 a year for the new guy * 3 years + 140,000 initial budget puts it at $380,000. That is still within their original budget and gives them a larger window for the costs.

CL3P20 · 11-27-07

The main point not really touched on in the article though..is that, Madera is an abyss...this will create all of the new jobs, the city needs to populate it to a 'taxable' size.

MangoMan · 11-28-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by h4rdcor3

If they bring on another person for 3 years to learn along side wheeler they shouldn't have a problem. At $80,000 a year for the new guy * 3 years + 140,000 initial budget puts it at $380,000. That is still within their original budget and gives them a larger window for the costs.

That is figuring that the whole entire voip system can be run by 2 guys for the city. If so then sweet.

slipstream808 · 11-28-07

One thing and I might be wrong. But isn't open source less secure? As in more open to hacks if you don't have to work as hard to find the flaws? Just curious.

redfroth · 11-28-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by CL3P20

The main point not really touched on in the article though..is that, Madera is an abyss...this will create all of the new jobs, the city needs to populate it to a 'taxable' size.

No, it just means people from Fresno will commute to fill those jobs.

AMDCAMARO · 11-28-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by MangoMan

Huh... Well that's nice, except when old Wheeler leaves the city will be screwed because of the infrastructure he has put in place is known by him and designed by him. Also hiring people that understand linux apps and open source systems will cost as much as a product designed for the purpose. I guess in the long run Wheeler gets job security and things do the same thing they always have, cost money.

What Wheeler did is called "information power" and yes it is done to create job security, and yes it is what you learn your first semester in a business management.

I do it every day, my boss wants me to write down what I do on "green sticker" jobs (aka green sticker means call me to make sure u do it right) I write the basics down, but leave out the fine details or tricks. Yes my job would be easier if I wrote down every detail, but then I would lose out on taking vacation pay 3X what I deserve, and on a whim, and when I say. So information power is the bomb in my book, and good for him.

Yes it seems wrong, but it happens everyday, in every company. (or municipality in this case)

Rakukojin · 11-28-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by slipstream808

One thing and I might be wrong. But isn't open source less secure? As in more open to hacks if you don't have to work as hard to find the flaws? Just curious.

You can think of it this way, with open source you can determine how secure it is by reading the code so security holes can be fixed quickly. On the other hand with proprietary software there may many holes to be exploited, but we're unaware of them because we don't have access to the code so we rely solely on the developers to patch things up.

People argue either way on which is more secure but I'm for open source, I mean just look at how secure OpenBSD is

MangoMan · 11-29-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rakukojin

You can think of it this way, with open source you can determine how secure it is by reading the code so security holes can be fixed quickly. On the other hand with proprietary software there may many holes to be exploited, but we're unaware of them because we don't have access to the code so we rely solely on the developers to patch things up.

People argue either way on which is more secure but I'm for open source, I mean just look at how secure OpenBSD is

Like in the last security flaw where BSD was hit by the IPV6 security hole? I don't care what OS you run there are always security risks.
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[NW] A California city rebuilds network using all open source software

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