On Wed, May 10, 2006 at 10:44:19AM -0600, Scott Jacobson wrote:
> Ed,
>  
> What about the other "white meat".  We have SLES 8 and 9 Linux boxes
> running as both Master and Media Servers.

Symantec doesn't support Brightmail on any Linux distribution other than
RHEL 3 AS and RHEL 3 ES.  That should tell you something about their
Linux commitment too - after all, I'd put SLES in the same category as
RHEL for enterprise-quality (even though I've never worked with SLES).

I've not looked at NetBackup support on SLES at all.

        .../Ed

>  
> ;-)
>  
> -sj
> 
> >>> Ed Wilts <ewilts AT ewilts DOT org> 5/10/2006 10:17 AM >>>
> I regularly see postings from people looking to enhance their use of
> Linux as NetBackup servers.  Although I am a *strong* Linux advocate
> and
> a Red Hat Certified Engineer, I would advise that you think long and
> hard about this decision.  Symantec  has not yet been able to
> demonstrate any willingness to support Red Hat Enterprise Linux as an
> enterprise platform.
> 
> Fact:  NetBackup 6.5, targeted for release in February, 2007, will
> drop
> support for RHEL 3.  RHEL 3 started shipping in October, 2003 and will
> be supported by Red Hat through October, 2010.  Symantec will cut you
> off with its current release nearly 4 years before Red Hat stops
> supporting the OS.  On the other hand, Windows 2000, which was
> released
> 2 1/2 years earlier than RHEL 3, will still be supported by NetBackup
> 6.5.
> Additionally, mainstream support for Win2K server has already ended
> and
> full support will end from Microsoft *before* RHEL 3 support ends. 
> This
> should show you where Symantec's priorities lie.
> 
> Fact:  Symantec Brightmail is not available for RHEL 4 so if you're
> deploying today, you have to deploy on RHEL 3.  One Symantec
> enterprise
> product will soon be unable to back up another Symantec enterprise
> product.  RHEL 4 has been out for over a year and still Symantec
> hasn't
> started supporting it. I just searched the support site for the system
> requirements in case my local office was wrong, and RHEL 4 still does
> not seem to be supported.
> 
> Fact:  NOM on Linux.  Nope, it doesn't exist.  Windows or Solaris
> only.
> 
> Symantec doesn't seem to get it.  I'm turning blue in the face trying
> to
> explain this to my local office.  I know that there are Symantec folks
> on this list - feel free to pass this on.  Symantec's actions do not
> go
> without notice.
> 
> I've been asked by my management why we're not using Linux for
> NetBackup
> and I bluntly told them that Symantec can't be trusted to support the
> platform as it should be trusted.  We recently replaced our master and
> one of our media servers and stuck with Solaris.  We spent a lot more
> money but at least I know it will work.
> 
> Enough rambling.  If you have concerns about NetBackup and Linux
> support, contact your Symantec reps.
> 
>         .../Ed
> 
> --
> Ed Wilts, RHCE
> Mounds View, MN, USA
> mailto:ewilts AT ewilts DOT org 
> Member #1, Red Hat Community Ambassador Program
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-- 
Ed Wilts, Mounds View, MN, USA
mailto:ewilts AT ewilts DOT org