Networker

Re: [Networker] Merits of Linux and Solaris

2004-02-16 18:33:55
Subject: Re: [Networker] Merits of Linux and Solaris
From: Yura Pismerov <ypismerov AT TUCOWS DOT COM>
To: NETWORKER AT LISTMAIL.TEMPLE DOT EDU
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 13:17:57 -0500
Matthew Huff wrote:

The real strength of Solaris/Sparc is the ability for the machine to
handle extreme stress;i.e, high CPU, pushing drivers/hardware to their


While this statement is true, it is not quite relevant for a backup server.
If your backup server is running under stress it is time to upgrade no
matter what OS platform you use.
Could you give me an example when a backup server (storage node) would
suddenly start experiencing unexpected load ?
Yes, I do agree Solaris is more robust system, but everything should be
justified...

max, etc. I've seen and know numbers of instances where linux system
under stress have crashed. And for support, even when you go with the
major vendors, you are very likely to get into fingerpointing between
vendors of fiber cards, ethernet cards, system vendors and RedHat. How
much is your time worth?


It is sufficient to make a little research before purchasing hardware to
make sure it does work well under Linux.
Simple "googling" should not take much time. In Solaris, the hardware is
either supported (works) or it is not (does not work at all) - nothing
in the middle.
Unlike free/open unises, where it might be in "almost working" state,
but, on the other hand, there is always hardware that "does work well",
so it is just a matter of finding one.  The only thing I agree with it
does not make much sense to change OS platform for existing backup
server, unless we are talking about significant difference in the price
for Legato license (hence support costs since they are a fraction of the
price).



Also, if you end up buying a "Certified System" such as an IBM server
with RHEL, the cost is usually GREATER than equivelent sparc systems


You should also count recurring costs, ie. how much money you are
spending for  warranty/support renewing.
AFAIK Sun equipment is still more expensive in compare to Intel based
servers at this point.

now. The fact that you already have a server makes that moot. Anything
you buy is a cost you would otherwise avoid. The 450 has plenty of CPU
to run Legato. Also, it's large amount of internal drives (20) means you
can have plenty of ways to offload disk I/O. Also, it has plenty of PCI
slots to add addition scsi/fibre cards.

The real advantange of Linux is it's support of esoteric devices that
Solaris will never support. However, if all you need is already in the
box, what advantage does Linux offer? I'm sure what is being pushed is
consolidated administration. However, if your Legato server is already
setup, what sysadmin work really will need to be done on it?

--
Matthew Huff           | One Manhattanville Rd
Director of Operations | Purchase, NY 10577
OTA LLC                | Phone: 914-460-4039
mailto:mhuff AT ox DOT com    | Fax:   914-460-4139



-----Original Message-----
From: Stan Horwitz [mailto:stan AT TEMPLE DOT EDU]
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2004 10:41 PM
To: NETWORKER AT LISTMAIL.TEMPLE DOT EDU
Subject: [Networker] Merits of Linux and Solaris


Hello all;

There's some talk here at Temple about migrating from
proprietary operating systems to open operating systems.
We're seriously considering standardizing the University on
Red Hat Linux.

I am wondering if any of you who run a Legato NetWorker
server on a Red Hat Linux platform can comment on your
experience with it. Would you do it again if you had the
choice? What's your NetWorker environment like?

We use Solaris 9 on an Enterprise 450 with NetWorker 6.1.3
and about 110 clients with about 3TB of data backed up
nightly.  We are considering getting another server and tape
library for a storage node to handle anticipated growth in
the volume of data we will be backing up and to keep more
data online. Our NetWorker server has a Qualstar tape library
with 600 slots and twelve AIT-2 drives, four of which are
deployed via SnapImage for NDMP backups (no drive sharing).
As such, one fly in the ointment for us is that SnapImage
isn't offered for Linux. Has anyone on this list heard if
there are any plans on Legato's part to offer a Linux version
of SnapImage?

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--
Yuri Pismerov, Sr. System Administrator,
TUCOWS.COM INC. (416) 535-0123  ext. 1352


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