Bind DNS Server on Ubuntu

To control the DNS records that I decided to create for the users of the network, I needed to create a DNS server on my Ubuntu machine. I used BIND DNS server on by Ubuntu server.

I firstly created a network zone, [faculty.school] that would be for the school network.

I then had to create the various DNS records for the school. By using the ip address of the web/FTP server [10.0.2.66] I was able to bind it to [faculty.school].

Testing Services in the Full network

In our complete network, I have been testing services.

For performance and security testing reasons, I have moved the DHCP services to a separate device on the network. Using the same address as before, I have connected a stand-alone router to use for DHCP on the central switch. Then the other services have remained on the Ubuntu server but with an updated IP address.

Separating the services has also helped performance has also been improved as the Ubuntu server is under-powered. I may also separate the video services at a later date to also help performance.

Basic VLC Streaming

As a backup alternative to Plex Media server, I also setup VLC streaming. It's much more simple, but of course limited. It is however useful for a local network.

First, starting up VLC I selected to Stream.

I was then lead to the following page where I selected the video(s) that I'l like to stream.

I then hit next to see the streaming options. I was going with http. You can customize the port and URL. I left the default on my network which would be (http://myIpAddress:8080). I can change that to the URL of my server etc.

The next page has options for trans-coding the video(s) being streamed. As I have already made the file to a suitable size/format, there's no need to add the additional processing requirements.

Client Side:

This time, as opposed to creating the stream, I need to join it. I navigated to "Open Network Stream".

I entered the URL of the VLC stream followed by the port I specified earlier.

The video(s) being streamed then were able to be opened successfully.

Everything working and tested this week

So far, I've tested the following services:
DHCP
DNS
FTP
WEB
This are most the services I require on the network from the server and are all working successfully.

I've installed the necessary Mail server services, but will be testing the configuration on them today.

The final service I am needing to offer, is a video streaming service. I have successfully run one in my home testing network using Plex Media center. However, I discovered that to run it, a live internet connection is required for Flash to authenticate. So I will need to find an alternative for the network when running in MIT.

Kali Linux on School Computers

Unfortunately I am unable to boot to Kali Linux in any form on the school computers.

When trying to boot from a live USB key, it is unsuccessful due to having the BIOS locked down.
Also, when trying to boot as a Virtual Machine, it has an odd error and attempts to load up Windows inside itself.

The default security also does not like the USB thanks to certain boot files:

Apache

Like Plex Media Server, I was able to test my Apache web server by entering the IP address of the server. Here's it tested on my phone below:

As shown, it's just displaying the default index.html; I can edit this later.

Plex Media Server

All tested in my home network.

After installing Plex Media Server on to my Ubuntu server, I was successfully able to stream media in my home network on different devices; Using the URL (192.168.1.64:32400/web). This was the current IP address of the computer, the port that the program was using to accept on, and /web to display the web interface of the program.
Once loaded, the interface is nice to use with it's web app, being able to stream (without problem) HD 720p content.

Update 01/10:
Unfortunately, what I did not realize is that the program requires an internet connection to the server to work. It is to authenticate flash which the program relies on. There does not appear to be an easy work around and I will have to find an alternative solution.