old computers, no money, network?

[nolandog]

I teach high school math in a school with too few computers. Local businesses have donated their OLD computers. Would it work to purchase a server and use them as workstations? I have 10 computers and they are all in a row along two walls so I could wire them to the server. I want to be able to use them to teach intro to Java and use OpenOffice for spreadsheets and wordprocessing. They will not have Internet access and I don't want them to. They can use the regular labs for that. Most of the computers are currently running Windows 2000 professional. What do you think?

[glc]

Yes, but you will need a server operating system - Windows 2000 Pro/XP Pro has a 10 concurrent connection limit and only supports workgroup mode. Logging onto the server will be an 11th connection. With no funding, you would probably have to use Linux on the server or cut the workstations down to 9. Why not just designate one of your existing 10 (one with Win2000) as the server and share what you need? All you will need for additional hardware is a LAN card in the ones that don't already have one, a network switch, and patch cords. You can sit in front of the "server" yourself and operate it as your workstation.