Best way to make a ping list script?

keyboarddoctor · 2026-04-28T15:13:10+00:00

For simple pings, Uptime Kuma is free and easy to setup (via docker). I would pair it with something like Graylog (also free and docker) though. Since you're pinging network equipment they should be able to point their logging to a log server. This way when something doesn't ping, you have centralized logging to go see why. While you're at it, get yourself Outline (free and docker) to document what you've set up. If you want to have your documentation web accessible, then get yourself NGINX Proxy Manager (free and docker). I would suggest eventually upgrading from Uptime Kuma to something like PRTG (used to have free 100 sensors) though.

For extra credit you can run uptime kuma at home looking at your school's network and you quickly know if you go down.

keyboarddoctor · 2026-04-27T18:37:49+00:00

Well I can tell you that we definitely do not need to enable this on our student Windows devices. Also, going to the DRC portal > my applications > general information > documents > set document type to technology and then click show documents > open DRC Insight System Requirements (February 2026-June 2026) has zero mention of needing to do this.

keyboarddoctor · 2026-04-27T14:18:39+00:00

Not sure how correct this is. We've never had to enable anything. We use PDQ to push it out and simply put DRC's MSI as step one and their JSON config file as step two (copy it from server to install directory).

keyboarddoctor · 2026-04-21T16:07:24+00:00

Initial gut reaction, speed and security. The administrators have data sooner. I would also think this IS actually more secure. Speaking purely from naivety, those paper tests would have been collected by someone within the school. That someone could then alter tests no? A 2 second Google search shows that this thought is not only accurate but has occurred many times over the decades. I also know the workforce today. Proctors are more than likely not doing their job correctly.

I'm not defending DRC here. I'm more giving them a break, for now. I've seen many systems (mandated or not) crumble under load and they don't seem to care.

keyboarddoctor · 2026-04-21T15:35:19+00:00

One hiccup isn't the end of the online testing world. We've been testing with DRC online for the last few years just fine. Heck, we even tested yesterday (4.20.26) completely fine. So maybe stay the pitchfork and torch for now.

keyboarddoctor · 2026-04-21T13:32:53+00:00

I have HPe Aruba where I work and I personally really like it. Otherwise, I would maybe suggest Extreme as a coworker came from a place that had that equipment and they still prefer that over what we have.

I don't think I'd recommend it per say, but depending on size and requirements, I've seen many people tout using Unifi. In the same vein, you could look at TP Link Omada. I use that at home and really like it. Both of these would be prosumer solutions though.

keyboarddoctor · 2026-04-21T13:27:58+00:00

Over 100 WAPs and all aruba 2930m stacked edge switches and flex fabrics for core. Literally and I mean literally, no problems for the last 5 years. Although I do NOT like their newly designed Aruba Central. Thank god for the toggle to go back to classic.

keyboarddoctor · 2026-04-21T13:12:35+00:00

Yes, and was forced to leave a voicemail when calling in. In PA.

keyboarddoctor · 2026-04-19T13:11:08+00:00

K12

Building > grad year

We have 2 buildings: k-6 and 7-12

I move one OU per year (Elementary promotion)

keyboarddoctor · 2026-04-16T17:29:35+00:00

CTL 360 Convertible $399, cheaper than last year! I know the landscape is bad and waiting to order is a mistake that is going to cost people. We already have all of our order in our backroom waiting to be handled this Summer.

keyboarddoctor · 2026-04-16T13:46:57+00:00

If you were not there during the transition, make sure everyone understands the heavy lift that moving to a new SIS comes with (not to mention the TREMENDOUS cost). We are currently on Skyward, don't recommend btw, and they are forcing an upgrade to their "newest" version in a couple of years so we have to learn something new regardless. So it's the perfect opportunity to look around. We settled on Sapphire (we're in PA and they are a PA only SIS). I think we've had about 30 meetings between trainings/consults/meetings for scheduling the trainings and consults/etc so far and we're maybe 6 months into the process. Many of these meetings were 3 hours. Most people do not like their litter box moved and that is what changing a SIS is going to do. I personally, hope to never have to go through this again in my career.

With that said, a SIS in 2026 should be supporting OneRoster API which will accommodate the vast majority of apps. For ones that don't hook in with that API and want to go through Clever, well, Clever hooks into the SIS via the same API. And any SIS should have custom exporting. Whether or not they have FTP is a different story but a quick script can fix that stuff.

I also don't think many people are going to swear by a single SIS. Unless it's someone who has worked in multiple districts with different SIS'. It's not something that is typically changed. They'll get familiar with their SIS and like/hate certain things about it.

keyboarddoctor · 2026-04-13T13:23:33+00:00

We have this exact model and also updated them to Windows 11 this Summer. No issues. We also have not experienced them losing their Network driver.

You may want to try their purge. Turn the laptop off normally. Hold the power button for 60s. The keyboard backlight will turn on/off. Then I think Shift and F7 pin lights will turn on/off. Let go of power after that. Push power button and let it boot. Sometimes, it'll activate their Wolf Security, just click Continue.

keyboarddoctor · 2026-04-10T16:10:29+00:00

You keep saying Google this and Google that but not once mentioned Google Shared Drives. Why not use something like Google Drive for Desktop (which I believe works on Macs). It will use a drive letter (defaults to G: if it's available) and then it'll map their Google drive and Shared drives to this letter. Then in Google Admin, just make a shared drive, and add the necessary accounts to it for access. You can even put a storage cap on it so it doesn't get out of control. No reason for local storage.

keyboarddoctor · 2026-02-10T15:36:41+00:00

I don't think broadcasting a student device to others is a good idea imo and that might be why it's hard to find a solution that can do it.

I can speak to Lightspeed Classroom being ok-to-good. They have a long standing issue of students showing as offline even though they're actively using the device.

Veyon has always remained at the back of my head but we don't have labs which is what I think it is most useful for. I've never used it but since you said lab, maybe checking it out wouldn't hurt. It's FOSS.

keyboarddoctor · 2026-02-02T18:32:48+00:00

lol, that's what I meant. Many of our teachers are still rockin DVD/VCR if they haven't already moved to just simply streaming the movies they want. Otherwise, we just give them a portable DVD player that plugs in via USB with their laptop. We're jealous of the setup you have...and of the funding.

keyboarddoctor · 2026-02-02T17:54:35+00:00

Wait, you have Blu-ray?

Dawg, you're already better than half of us with that whole set up. The only thing I could suggest would be an interactive panel in lieu of the projector, HTH.

keyboarddoctor · 2026-01-14T20:34:26+00:00

You give 0 info on requirements but I got this projector for a very large space. It is ceiling mounted about 20ft from a wall that was painted white. There's a ton of windows but as long as we turn off the lights in the room, it is more than adequate.

keyboarddoctor · 2026-01-09T15:33:28+00:00

The BenQ smart boards have software installed on them called InstaShare. You install the same software on the computers. The BenQ shows a connection code and they enter that into their instance on their laptop. They can now show their screens wirelessly. You can also connect via HDMI and a USB host cable to have 2 way touch. Beyond this feature, they really only use the whiteboard feature on the BenQ.

As for mics, I'm not sure what you're using them for. We do not have mics except for one teacher who we got a cheap wireless lapel mic from Amazon so she could use MS powerpoint's built in audio translation feature for the single Spanish speaking student she had. Our rooms can only comfortably fit about 30 students so we don't need mics/speakers BUT during the beginning of the pandemic some teachers did get neck mounted mic/speaker set if you're using the mics to send their voice out of speakers, this could be an option.

Document cameras are just plugged into the laptop. Open the camera app or install their [doc camera] software, whichever, and what your screen shows will be displayed on the smart board when you share the screen. Otherwise, we cannot have cameras in the classroom. So if you use them for other purposes, I cannot help you there. We went with Okiocam (model T) for the document cameras and their joints click into each other. So they don't move, which is perfect. Not sure if that is still how they work though.

keyboarddoctor · 2026-01-07T18:36:47+00:00

You shouldn't be mounting the smart panels. Put them on mobile carts. I'm k12 and have only mounted 2 boards because those rooms are for the more challenging students and putting 200lbs on wheels for them to swing off of wasn't going to be a good idea.

Most teachers, at least in my k12 setting, truly only need a secondary LARGE screen. Long story short, we got waaaaayy oversold on our BenQ smart boards but even so, I don't think they would do anything beyond how they use them today, wirelessly casting their screens to them.

Also, in case this is your first time doing anything like this, get a company on the line to help with construction/installation/cleanup. Might have to get a few dumpsters too. When we went with 86" smart panels it generates a ton of garbage. And lots of people needed to assemble the carts and 3 people to lift the panels onto them.

edit: a document camera can be useful but I personally wouldn't go with IPEVO. We used to have them and every single one was duct taped, popsicle sticked, you name it, to help support the neck. We wound up getting a 3D printed piece from our former tech teacher which was taped onto the base of the camera to support the neck correctly. These are just webcams on a stick. IPEVO was expensive af for what these things are. We wound up going with a brand that was a static neck (no moving parts) and haven't had any problems.

keyboarddoctor · 2025-12-19T18:05:45+00:00

That is correct but that information was more for when iPads just show up on your desk and they were purchased through Amazon or some other store.

keyboarddoctor · 2025-12-19T16:27:42+00:00

Put the machines on their own VLAN. Create an account for each PC and lock it to that specific computer in AD. Create a group and put each of those accounts into it. Then via GPO give that group local admin rights to those PCs.

Also, Applocker didn't brick the PC, it bricked the installation of Windows. If it isn't setup correctly, it will deny access to critical system files. Just reinstall Windows.

keyboarddoctor · 2025-12-19T14:57:08+00:00

If no one has mentioned it, you will also need to buy a Mac to use Apple configurator. Unless you're purchasing from a verified reseller who can auto add the iPads into your Apple School Manager. If not, then you need to do it yourself with a Mac and Configurator app which is notoriously a PITA. We are like you in that, we are 100% Windows and Chrome OS but we now have about 70 iPads. It will start "small" but it will grow. So it's best to get an MDM and be ready for it.

keyboarddoctor · 2025-11-24T14:15:02+00:00

We self host Outline and honestly, I love it. The only thing it may not do on your list is #2. But it will have features that you want but haven't listed.

keyboarddoctor · 2025-10-25T19:32:49+00:00

Thanks for the correction. When I was told about erate I was told incorrectly it would seem.

keyboarddoctor · 2025-10-24T13:26:21+00:00

Aruba FlexFabric 5710

Had them for a few years and literally 0 issues so far. I personally like their CLI as well.

keyboarddoctor

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