SCEGGS' IT manager Ian Ralph told Computerworld Australia the school has a long history with Linux and open source, dating back to its first Web server in 1995.

"We dragged out an old server and installed Linux which was the beginning of our open source journey, which is one I have enjoyed," Ralph said. "Before long the Web site became a core application platform for the school. We got support from local people and it's not hard to find."

SCEGGS was using SUSE Linux before Novell acquired the company, which Ralph said is good because the school is also using NetWare.

"We're now up to SUSE 10.1 but decided against SLES 10 from Novell because it doesn't have the associated applications where as with SUSE 10.1 you can use YAST," he said. "Our next Netware upgrade will be to Open Enterprise Server which is based on Linux and we are comfortable with that path. It won't be a revolution, just an evolution."

SCEGGS has about 830 students, 100 staff, 500 desktops, 200 laptops, 13 servers, and an IT team of eight.