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<chapter id="net2000users">
<title>A Distributed 2000-User Network</title>
<para>
There is something indeed mystical about things that are
big. Large networks exhibit a certain magnetism and exude a sense of
importance that obscures reality. You and I know that it is no more
difficult to secure a large network than it is a small one. We all
know that over and above a particular number of network clients, the
rules no longer change; the only real dynamic is the size of the domain
(much like a kingdom) over which the network ruler (oops, administrator)
has control. The real dynamic then transforms from the technical to the
political. Then again, that point is often reached well before the
kingdom (or queendom) grows large.
</para>
<para>
If you have systematically worked your way to this chapter, hopefully you
have found some gems and techniques that are applicable in your
world. The network designs you have worked with in this book have their
strong points as well as weak ones. That is to be expected given that
they are based on real business environments, the specifics of which are
molded to serve the purposes of this book.
</para>
<para>
This chapter is intent on wrapping up issues that are central to
implementation and design of progressively larger networks. Are you ready
for this chapter? Good, it is time to move on.
</para>
<para>
In previous chapters, you made the assumption that your network
administration staff need detailed instruction right down to the
nuts and bolts of implementing the solution. That is still the case,
but they have graduated now. You decide to document only those issues,
methods, and techniques that are new or complex. Routine tasks such as
implementing a DNS or a DHCP server are under control. Even the basics of
Samba are largely under control. So in this section you focus on the
specifi
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