Primary survey results: Mission Critical Linux

To: Everyone interested in Linux!

Initiated from the 'Linux Mission Critical Systems' mailing list is a project to document successful existing systems which have a large load and are up 24 hrs/day. Already we have received a rich amount of information!

Back to the index

Getting to the questionnaire:

http://www.linux.or.jp/~mkubo/mc-doc (with Japanese version)

http://www.rmnet.it/linux (Italy)

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\10

Current kernel: 1.2.13
Oldest kernel: 1.2.13
Used Slackware 2.2.0.1, rated fair
Used Red Hat ?(1.2.13), rated good
Used DEC-Alpha ?(1.3.90), rated good

Number of Linux servers: 3
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 3
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 3
Average uptime: 60 days
Longest uptime: 150 days
Average dial-in users/day: 5
Average http hits/day: 500
Maximum http hits/day: 5000
WWW server: NCSA
Using XFree86

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated good
Software support rated good
Project support rated good
Distributor support rated good
News group support rated good
Installation procedures rated good
Upgrade procedures rated good
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated good
Sharing the network with Windows NT rated good
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

WWW sites: many
Netnews: comp.os.linux.*
Mailing lists: IAP, linuxisp, SERVER-LINUX, many others
Magazines: LJ, Sys Admin, WebSmith

Q: A description of the work in relation to the Linux servers

A: I run all technical aspects of a Linux based ISP.

Q: A description of the site

A: We specialize in corporate access and web hosting.

Q: What is the most critical aspect of your site?

A: 24/7 accessibility speed

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: We have been up for about 19 months and steadily growing.

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: Linux was chosen from the beginning.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: Of course. I had never ran a system of this complexity before. But none of the problems were due to linux.

Q: Do you intend to expand the use of Linux at your site, and how?

A: Yes. We will add additional servers and dialup systems as we grow.

Q: How do you compare Linux with other Unices you use and have used?

A: equal or superior.

Q: What commercial software packages do you use with Linux, and are you satisfied?

A: bru for backup. A very good package.

Q: What have you done to increase the robustness of Linux at your site?

A: Keep up to date and apply necesary patches. I regularly communicate with other ISPs (linux and otherwise).

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: Network full and incremental backups (daily, weekly, monthly and yearly) using bru and an HP 4mm drive.

Q: Are there security holes in Linux you want to warn about?

A: There are holes in all operating systems. It is simply important to keep informed.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: yes!

Barry Caplin
Technical Director
bc@mtiweb.com
MicroWEB Technology, Inc.

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\12

Current kernel: 1.2.13
Used Slackware 3?, rated fair
Used Red Hat 3.03, rated good
Used SLS 1.05, rated good
Used mcc 1.05, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 3
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 3
Number of Un*x clients: 1
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 1
Average uptime: 70 days
Longest uptime: 110 days
Average http hits/day: 110000
Maximum http hits/day: 200000
WWW server: Apache
Using Mini SQL (msql)

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated fair
Hardware support rated fair
Software support rated good
Project support rated good
Distributor support rated fair
News group support rated poor
Installation procedures rated good
Upgrade procedures rated good
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated good
Sharing the network with Windows NT rated good
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated good
Sharing the network with Novell rated fair
Sharing the network with OS/2 rated fair
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

WWW sites: sunsite/mdw/
Mailing lists: server-linux

Q: A description of the work in relation to the Linux servers

A: own, admin, build etc.

Q: A description of the site

A: virtual webserver "farm"

Q: What is the most critical aspect of your site?

A: web services... with mail following a close 2nd

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: huh? First server online aug-95. 2nd in May 96. 3rd November 96?

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: because it worked in the home office environment, and for the mail servers I'd installed.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: only the maximum 256 files per process limit.

Q: Do you intend to expand the use of Linux at your site, and how?

A: you can't expand on 100% usage can you?

Q: How do you compare Linux with other Unices you use and have used?

A: good. Good documentation, good support on the mailing lists. lots of software.

Q: What commercial software packages do you use with Linux, and are you satisfied?

A: msql - reasonably satisfied.

Q: What have you done to increase the robustness of Linux at your site?

A: -> shadow. mirror the websites to another server

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: see above... mirror critical data to an alternate (off-site) server

Q: Are there security holes in Linux you want to warn about?

A: nothing that hasn't been covered on the lists.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Yes, but only as it partains to the whole world, not so much as it's being Linux specific. MicroSloth is becoming "the only" O/S and Linux may be the only alternative :-)

Q: Do you have further comments, or suggestions for Linux administrators?

A: read the docs. Don't do it in a hurry. Read the DOCS! Don't do it without internet access.

Tom Brown
owner
tbrown@baremetal.com
BareMetal Designs

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\13

Privacy: level 3
Current kernel: 2.0.24
Oldest kernel: 0.98
Used Slackware 2.x, rated good
Used Red Hat 3.0.3/4.0, rated good
Used Caldera CND, rated good
Used SLS forgot, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 5
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 5
Number of Un*x clients: 4
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 200
Average uptime: 35 days
Longest uptime: 90 days
Average dial-in users/day: 100
Average E-mail messages/day: 1200
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 2000
Average http hits/day: 4100
Maximum http hits/day: 4738
WWW server: NCSA
Using XFree86
Using Mini SQL (msql)

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated good
Software support rated fair
Project support rated good
Distributor support rated good
News group support rated good
Installation procedures rated good
Upgrade procedures rated good
Un*x compatibility rated fair
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated fair
Sharing the network with Windows NT rated fair
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated good
Sharing the network with Novell rated good
Sharing the network with OS/2 rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

Mailing lists: linux-server
Magazines: Linux Journal

Q: A description of the work in relation to the Linux servers

A: I am responsible for maintaining all networking for Quincy University.

Q: A description of the site

A: Our environment is educational.

Q: What is the most critical aspect of your site?

A: It seems that everyone here depends on getting e-mail from the Internet.

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: We chose Linux 3 years ago when we were getting connected to the Internet and needed to get a mail/web/ftp/etc server at as low a cost as possible.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: Well, we have learned that you should choose your hardware carefully when dealing with high performance OS's.

Q: Do you intend to expand the use of Linux at your site, and how?

A: We have been looking into moving our last Novell server to Linux ;)

Q: How do you compare Linux with other Unices you use and have used?

A: >From past experience Linux has had more tools available and is faster at many things on a PC platform.

Q: What commercial software packages do you use with Linux, and are you satisfied?

A: Office Suite software that would be able to import file from MS-Office/PerfectOffice/etc.

Q: What have you done to increase the robustness of Linux at your site?

A: Buy more hardware that is well supported under Linux and install more UPS's.

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: No.

Q: Are there security holes in Linux you want to warn about?

A: All of them.

Q: What new technologies are you expecting for future Linux development?

A: IPv6 and RAID.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Definitely. It moves much faster than anything from MS.

Q: Do you have further comments, or suggestions for Linux administrators?

A: Read as much as you can about Linux! Also, find where various mailing lists are archived, there are many good answers in them.

Scott Nauer
Assistant Director of Computer Center
Quincy University

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\16

Current kernel: 2.0.25
Oldest kernel: 1.2.13
Used Slackware 3.0, rated fair
Used Debian 1.1.3, rated good
Used Caldera 1.0, rated fair
Used SLS 1.0, rated poor

Number of Linux servers: 25
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 25
Number of Un*x clients: 0
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 5
Average uptime: 90 days
Longest uptime: 240 days
Average dial-in users/day: 1000
Average E-mail messages/day: 8000
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 15000
Average http hits/day: 75000
Maximum http hits/day: 120000
WWW server: Apache
WWW server: Stronghold
Using Accelerated X
Participated in Linux network utility development
Using Mini SQL (msql)

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated fair
Software support rated good
Project support rated fair
Distributor support rated fair
News group support rated good
Installation procedures rated poor
Upgrade procedures rated fair
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated good
Sharing the network with Windows NT rated good
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated good
Sharing the network with Novell rated good
Sharing the network with OS/2 rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

Q: A description of the work in relation to the Linux servers

A: Network Administrator in charge of design implementation and maintance of the servers

Q: A description of the site

A: We're an internet service provider operating completely on Linux and embeded hardware

Q: What is the most critical aspect of your site?

A: Uptime and availabilty of the web server

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: We've been in business for nearly three years using Linux the entire time. We've grown from a single P-90, to over twenty Pentium based servers.

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: I was involved with Linux from it's inception as an end user. When it came time to begin putting together servers, the obvious choice was Linux as I knew it straightfowards.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: Inferior network cards caused problems with the earlier Kernels in some of our less critical servers, and occasional SCSI problems pop up on test machines.

Q: Do you intend to expand the use of Linux at your site, and how?

A: We'll continue to roll new servers as we have a need for them.

Q: How do you compare Linux with other Unices you use and have used?

A: Faster to evolve and react to problems. When the recent ping flood from WIN-NT machines became apparent, there was a patch available within hours.

Q: What commercial software packages do you use with Linux, and are you satisfied?

A: Stronghold Apache, and I find it works adaquetly.

Q: What have you done to increase the robustness of Linux at your site?

A: Some custom swapper hacks early on

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: Daily full backups to a main backup server via ftp which gets picked up onto tape.

Q: Are there security holes in Linux you want to warn about?

A: Always stay up to date on Shadow and Sendmail, more recently, upgrade 2.0.X kernels and 1.3.X kernels to 2.0.25 or later to deal with the ping flood bug.

Q: What new technologies are you expecting for future Linux development?

A: Embeded Linux systems, and even more robust networking code.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Always.

Q: Do you have further comments, or suggestions for Linux administrators?

A: Subscribe to as many mailing lists as you can, though the newsgroups for an administrator seem to be a waste of time.

Douglas J. Warren
Network Administrator
dwarren@netusa.net
Network Internet Services

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\17

Current kernel: 2.0.25
Oldest kernel: 1.0.7
Used Slackware 1.0, rated poor
Used Red Hat 1.0, rated good
Used Debian 1.0, rated good
Used Caldera 1.0, rated fair
Used Yggdrasil 1.0, rated poor
Used DEC-Alpha 1.0, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 15
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 70
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 300
Average uptime: 60 days
Longest uptime: 300 days
Average E-mail messages/day: 5000
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 10000
Average http hits/day: 2000
Maximum http hits/day: 5000
WWW server: Apache
WWW server: harvest/squid
Using XFree86
Using Accelerated X

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated fair
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated good
Software support rated fair
Project support rated good
Distributor support rated fair
News group support rated good
Installation procedures rated fair
Upgrade procedures rated fair
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated good
Sharing the network with Windows NT rated good
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated fair

WWW sites: sunsite.unc.edu/linux
Netnews: linux.dev.kernel
Mailing lists: netdev
CDROM's: infomagic
Magazines: Linux Journal

Q: A description of the work in relation to the Linux servers

A: I design, install, and administer them.

Q: A description of the site

A: We're the 3d largest ISP in the United States.

Q: What is the most critical aspect of your site?

A: Uptime.

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: Varied.

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: When I first learned Unix.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: No.

Q: Do you intend to expand the use of Linux at your site, and how?

A: Yes; persistence.

Q: How do you compare Linux with other Unices you use and have used?

A: Second only to Digital Unix, and even then it's close.

Q: What commercial software packages do you use with Linux, and are you satisfied?

A: Word Perfect, Netscape, Zmail. Yes.

Q: What have you done to increase the robustness of Linux at your site?

A: Redundancy, various configuration steps.

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: Nothing special.

Q: Are there security holes in Linux you want to warn about?

A: ping bug, syn attacks. Both have been patched.

Q: What new technologies are you expecting for future Linux development?

A: IPv6, IPSEC, Journalled & RAID file system, serial consoles.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Hell yes!

Q: Do you have further comments, or suggestions for Linux administrators?

A: Learn it, love it, live it.

Todd Graham Lewis
Engineer
tlewis@mindspring.com
Mindspring Enterprises

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\18

Current kernel: 2.0.24
Oldest kernel: .98
Used Slackware 2.0, rated fair
Used Red Hat 4.0, rated good
Used SLS 1.02, rated fair

Number of Linux servers: 5
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 5
Number of Un*x clients: 3
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 1
Other clients: 1
Average uptime: 100 days
Longest uptime: 198 days
Average dial-in users/day: 2
Average E-mail messages/day: 1000
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 10000
Average http hits/day: 20000
Maximum http hits/day: 80000
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86
Participated in Linux kernel development
Using Postgress (mpsql)

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated good
Software support rated good
Project support rated good
Distributor support rated fair
News group support rated good
Installation procedures rated good
Upgrade procedures rated good
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated good
Sharing the network with Windows NT rated good
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated good
Sharing the network with Novell rated fair
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

WWW sites: all
Mailing lists: linux-kernel
CDROM's: RedHat Linux Library
Books: O'Reily
Magazines: Linux Journal

Q: A description of the work in relation to the Linux servers

A: iBCS-2 developer.

Q: A description of the site

A: Systems/Internet consultant. I use linux to build firewalls. I then manage them for my clients.

Q: What is the most critical aspect of your site?

A: E-Mail.

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: Personal UUCP/News site.

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: 1993, I need a better news server than the SCO unix systems I was running, and tried linux. It was twice the speed on a machine of half the performance. It also soft many operational problems.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: No SCO compatibility. I fixed that.

Q: Do you intend to expand the use of Linux at your site, and how?

A: No. It is currently 100% of my use. There are no machines to left to convert, other than machine I use to test compatiblity with.

Q: How do you compare Linux with other Unices you use and have used?

A: More stable, more complete, easier to manage.

Q: What commercial software packages do you use with Linux, and are you satisfied?

A: None.

Q: What have you done to increase the robustness of Linux at your site?

A: Upgrade hardware.

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: Full backups to tape.

Q: Are there security holes in Linux you want to warn about?

A: Sloppy administration of user accounts.

Q: What new technologies are you expecting for future Linux development?

A: Scanner support, Word processing, Windows Emulation (WINE)

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you have further comments, or suggestions for Linux administrators?

A: Read as many of the O'Reily books as possible.

Drew Sullivan
Consultant
drew@ss.org
Systems Software

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\20

Privacy: level 1
Current kernel: 2.0.25
Oldest kernel: 0.99.8
Used Slackware 2.3,3.0,96, rated good
Used Red Hat 3.03, rated good
Used Caldera 1.0, rated good
Used Info-Magic Slackware96, rated good
Used SLS Slackware96, rated fair

Number of Linux servers: 5
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 12
Number of Un*x clients: 6
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 30
Average uptime: 30 days
Longest uptime: 66 days
Average E-mail messages/day: 100
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 500
Average http hits/day: 100,000
Maximum http hits/day: 150,000
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86
Using Postgress (mpsql)
Using Mini SQL (msql)
Using perl/dbm

Linux information rated fair
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated fair
Software support rated poor
Project support rated poor
Distributor support rated fair
News group support rated fair
Installation procedures rated fair
Upgrade procedures rated fair
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated good
Sharing the network with Windows NT rated good
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated good
Sharing the network with Novell rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated fair

WWW sites: www.redhat.com
Netnews: comp.os.linux.announce
Books: LDP
Magazines: Linux Journal

Q: A description of the work in relation to the Linux servers

A: Setup, maintenance and some minor utility writing.

Q: A description of the site

A: an organization for wholesale trade via the internet

Q: What is the most critical aspect of your site?

A: constant uptime and fast response

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: It's too long to elaborate upon here.

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: A cost/performance analysis was performed, and Linux beat out windows nt in terms of flexibilty, performance, price and Unix compatibility. Linux on Intel beat out Sun, H/P and SGI in terms of bang for the buck as a generic internet Unix server platform. Linux was found to be as robust as any of the commercial offerings.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: Mainly the lack of a stable "Linux" API - it's a moving target, and commercial applications vendors can't keep up! Also, Intel Linux is fairly well supported now, but DEC and Sparc versions are not.

Q: Do you intend to expand the use of Linux at your site, and how?

A: When growth occurs, we will either buy high end Sun machines, or use Linux on P-Pro, Dec Alpha or Sparc platforms, if it is ever supported in any commercial sense...

Q: How do you compare Linux with other Unices you use and have used?

A: It is less baroque and feature-rich than solaris, for instance, but it is quickly adding more, such that the differences keep shrinking. As far as stability, it is very solid. In performance, it beats anything I've seen on identical hardware.

Q: What commercial software packages do you use with Linux, and are you satisfied?

A: Xess spreadsheet - overpriced ($500) and rough around the edges Applix desktop suite - good, useful.

Q: What have you done to increase the robustness of Linux at your site?

A: We run all the latest *stable* versions of libs, etc.

Q: What new technologies are you expecting for future Linux development?

A: More Solaris-like features e.g. add a scsi disk without reboot, More end-user, point and click desktop apps!

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Absolutely!

Joseph Sloan
system administrator

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\21

Privacy: level 1
Current kernel: 2.0.18
Oldest kernel: 1.0.9
Used Slackware ?, rated fair
Used Red Hat 4.0, rated good
Used Caldera 1.0, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 10
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 25
Number of Un*x clients: 2
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 4
Other clients: 0
Average uptime: 90 days
Longest uptime: 120 days
Average dial-in users/day: 10
Average E-mail messages/day: 500
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 2000
Average http hits/day: 1000
Maximum http hits/day: 5000
Average FTP Mb/day: 2
WWW server: Apache
WWW server: Squid
Using XFree86
Using Xinside
Participated in Linux other utility development
Using Mini SQL (msql)

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated good
Software support rated good
Project support rated good
Distributor support rated fair
News group support rated good
Installation procedures rated good
Upgrade procedures rated fair
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

WWW sites: http://www.redhat.com
Netnews: comp.os.linux.*
Mailing lists: mclinux
CDROM's: Infomagic Linux Developers

Q: A description of the work in relation to the Linux servers

A: Systems Maintenance and development

Q: A description of the site

A: Assist with development of our products

Q: What is the most critical aspect of your site?

A: email and IP connectivity

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: Mainly SUNOS previously

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: Tried it when I heard about it on the news

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: Some hardware incompatibilities to start with.

Q: Do you intend to expand the use of Linux at your site, and how?

A: yes, use it for development

Q: How do you compare Linux with other Unices you use and have used?

A: Easier to use and better

Q: What commercial software packages do you use with Linux, and are you satisfied?

A: CND and its desktop, reasonably satisfied, although WP needs some improvements.

Q: What have you done to increase the robustness of Linux at your site?

A: Improve hardware and leave working machines alone

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: No

Q: Are there security holes in Linux you want to warn about?

A: Only known ones

Q: What new technologies are you expecting for future Linux development?

A: Real time capability, Imaging (frame grabbing)

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: yes

Wesley Hosking
Director

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\22

Privacy: level 1
Current kernel: 1.2.13
Oldest kernel: 1.0.6
Used Slackware 3.0, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 4
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 8
Number of Un*x clients: 2
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 100
Other clients: 100
Average uptime: 30 days
Longest uptime: 100 days
Average dial-in users/day: 50
Average E-mail messages/day: 50
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 100
Average http hits/day: 5000
Maximum http hits/day: 10000
Average FTP Mb/day: 5
WWW server: NCSA
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated fair
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated good
Software support rated good
Project support rated good
Distributor support rated poor
News group support rated fair
Installation procedures rated good
Upgrade procedures rated fair
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated good
Sharing the network with Windows NT rated good
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated good
Sharing the network with Novell rated fair
Sharing the network with OS/2 rated fair
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated fair

WWW sites: http://www.ecsnet.com/
Netnews: comp.os.linux

Q: A description of the work in relation to the Linux servers

A: Installing, administering and testing

Q: A description of the site

A: ISP and large-medium company sites

Q: What is the most critical aspect of your site?

A: E-mail relay, HTTP Server

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: Since 1.0 version

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: No more than hardware failures or hardware incompatibility issues

Q: Do you intend to expand the use of Linux at your site, and how?

A: daily

Q: How do you compare Linux with other Unices you use and have used?

A: Open free system and robust in version 2.0

Q: What commercial software packages do you use with Linux, and are you satisfied?

A: none

Q: What have you done to increase the robustness of Linux at your site?

A: daily hardware and software upgrade

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: yes

Q: What new technologies are you expecting for future Linux development?

A: Multipurpose box

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: yes

Stefano Rotellini
Mr.

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\23

Privacy: level 4
Current kernel: 2.0.24
Oldest kernel: 1.0.9
Used Slackware old, rated good
Used Red Hat old, rated good
Used Info-Magic old, rated poor

Number of Linux servers: 5
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 5
Number of Un*x clients: 0
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 2
Other clients: 0
Average uptime: 60 days
Longest uptime: 70 days
Average dial-in users/day: 20
Average E-mail messages/day: 1000
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 2000
Average http hits/day: 100
Maximum http hits/day: 1000
Average FTP Mb/day: 0
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated good
Software support rated good
Project support rated fair
Distributor support rated good
News group support rated good
Installation procedures rated fair
Upgrade procedures rated poor
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

WWW sites: www.redhat.com
Netnews: comp.os.linux.development.system
Mailing lists: listserv@netspace.org
Magazines: Linux Journal

Q: A description of the work in relation to the Linux servers

A: I install and maintain the servers.

Q: A description of the site

A: These servers operate a 24x7 ISP commercial business. Equipment is kept in an environmentally controlled environment on large UPSs.

Q: What is the most critical aspect of your site?

A: routing, ppp and sendmail

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: Online 2 years, the first year was in development.

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: It proved robust, affordable and maintainable.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: Yes. Disk failures, memory failures. Software has always been reliable.

Q: Do you intend to expand the use of Linux at your site, and how?

A: New servers will be linux based.

Q: How do you compare Linux with other Unices you use and have used?

A: Compared to HP Domain, SunOS, Solaris, it has as good or better uptime and useability.

Q: What commercial software packages do you use with Linux, and are you satisfied?

A: None

Q: What have you done to increase the robustness of Linux at your site?

A: Stay away from development versions. Stabilize and burn-in hardware before placing in use. Stress test system.

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: Standard backup to tape and NFS disk.

Q: Are there security holes in Linux you want to warn about?

A: None

Q: What new technologies are you expecting for future Linux development?

A: Native ATM device support (in work now).

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Yes

Q: Do you have further comments, or suggestions for Linux administrators?

A: Use it, abuse it.

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\25

Current kernel: 1.2.13
Oldest kernel: 0.99pl13
Used Slackware 3.0, rated good
Used Red Hat 4.0, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 4
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 7
Number of Un*x clients: 24
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 1
Other clients: 2
Average uptime: 40 days
Longest uptime: 120 days
Average dial-in users/day: 1
Average E-mail messages/day: 4500
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 6000
WWW server: WN
Using XFree86

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated good
Software support rated good
Project support rated good
Distributor support rated good
News group support rated good
Installation procedures rated good
Upgrade procedures rated good
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

Netnews: comp.os.linux.announce

Steven Kirby
Systems Manager
kirby@cosmic.uga.edu
COSMIC, University of Georgia

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\26

Current kernel: 2.0.25
Oldest kernel: 0.99pl9
Used Slackware 2.x,, rated fair
Used Red Hat 3.0.3,4.0, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 10
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 10
Number of Un*x clients: n/a
Number of DOS/Windows clients: n/a
Other clients: 2000
Average uptime: 14 days
Longest uptime: 100 days
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated good
Software support rated good
Project support rated fair
Distributor support rated good
News group support rated good
Installation procedures rated fair
Upgrade procedures rated fair
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated good
Sharing the network with Windows NT rated good
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated good
Sharing the network with Novell rated good
Sharing the network with OS/2 rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

Q: A description of the work in relation to the Linux servers

A: We run a linux-based ISP. Everything is linux save for one old NetBlazer; we're going to be replacing that with a linux host running gated, and multihoming with sangoma WAN cards.

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: It's the best; FreeBSD just doesn't have the frenetic development cycle that we need to stay on top.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: A few, mostly having to do with a.out -> ELF move; most things work as expected now, we're mostly RedHat 3.0.3/4.0

Q: Do you intend to expand the use of Linux at your site, and how?

A: Yes, we'll use it on everything; we want to get some Alpha's now.

Q: How do you compare Linux with other Unices you use and have used?

A: I used to use SunOS (pre-solaris, it was okay), SCO SVR3 (sucks, even Xenix was better), and some other odd flavors (one old ISI Optimum-V -- don't ask) Linux is the best, it's that simple. I can get any problem fixed fast, free, and usually authoritatively. >=-)>

Q: What commercial software packages do you use with Linux, and are you satisfied?

A: We use BRU 14.3, and it's great; we might get Official RHL for the Metro-X server, but not yet. I guess Netscape is a commercial package, too. BRU is the important one, though; it's cheap, compared to the peace of mind it gives us; worlds beyond tar/dump/cpio or whatever.

Q: What have you done to increase the robustness of Linux at your site?

A: keep up with the mailing lists (Redhat and the vger-lists). RPM makes it easy to try out new releases..

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: BRU 14.3/ELF with a DDS-2 dat drive; we do multilevel backups, and I sleep pretty well these days. >=-)>

Q: Are there security holes in Linux you want to warn about?

A: RedHat is pretty secure, I think slackware is the holey one. The biggest security hole is a complacent sysadmin, or one who sacrifices because they're eager to please impatient users. Oh, one thing... rlogin should disallow .rhosts by default, it doesn't do this. Remember the big stink about Kevin Mintnick getting into that cracker-hunter's computer, the guy who eventually caught him? He used a race condition in some X-Windows stuff, but it wouldn't have worked unless the guy had .rhosts-aware r-commands on his host... and this guy is the _man_ on security... too wierd. >=-)> Get the ORA sysadmin book, that's a good start. Visit some cracker/phreaker sites from time to time, know thy enemy. subscribe to the CERT list, and the linux-security list...

Q: What new technologies are you expecting for future Linux development?

A: PAM is neat, I can do access control lists for PPP, login, whatever I want. The Alpha development interests me, but I'm waiting for prices to drop. I'm looking for faster WAN-cards for linux (preferably PCI DS3-speed)

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Yes, I'm geeked about it... been playing with it since 0.99pl9, and it's only gotten better since then. >=-)> Who needs commercial UNIX software? This is a social experiment in coding that has been a wild success.

Q: Do you have further comments, or suggestions for Linux administrators?

A: RTFM before you post to a mailing list for advice... >=-)>

Craig S. Bell
Network Admin, Sys Admin
csb@aracnet.com
aracnet.com ISP

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\27

Current kernel: 2.0.23
Oldest kernel: 1.2.13
Used Slackware 3.0.3,4.0, rated poor
Used Red Hat 3.0.3,4.0, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 2
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 12
Number of Un*x clients: 10
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 100
Average uptime: 30 days
Longest uptime: 60 days
Average E-mail messages/day: 300000
Maximum E-mail messages/day: ?????
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated good
Software support rated good
Project support rated fair
Distributor support rated fair
News group support rated fair
Installation procedures rated fair
Upgrade procedures rated poor
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated good
Sharing the network with Windows NT rated good
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated fair

WWW sites: http://sunsite.unc.edu/mdw/linux.html

Q: A description of the work in relation to the Linux servers

A: Head sysadmin of the site

Q: A description of the site

A: ISP

Q: What is the most critical aspect of your site?

A: providing internet conectivity.

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: very cost efficient solution for mail exchanger.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: yes. sendmail has number of bugs which makes it unreliable under high email traffic.

Q: Do you intend to expand the use of Linux at your site, and how?

A: mostly at desktop, as a server platform for our customers, as non mission critical servers. (most our computers must talk to microsoft sql and there are no DBLIB for linux)

Q: How do you compare Linux with other Unices you use and have used?

A: same level or better.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: yes ;)

Sasha Mikheev
Head sysadmin
sasha@netvision.net.il
Netvision Israel

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\28

Current kernel: 2.0.25
Oldest kernel: 1.2.13
Used Slackware 3.0.3,4.0, rated poor
Used Red Hat 3.0.3,4.0, rated good
Used Yggdrasil 3.0.3,4.0, rated fair
Used DEC-Alpha 3.0.3,4.0, rated good
Used Sun Sparc(Red Hat) 3.0.3,4.0, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 10
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 10
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 2
Other clients: 1
Average uptime: 40 days
Longest uptime: 200 days
Average dial-in users/day: 2000
Average E-mail messages/day: 2000
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 8000
Average http hits/day: 200000
Maximum http hits/day: 600000
WWW server: Roxen
Using XFree86
Participated in Linux kernel development
Participated in Linux network utility development
Participated in Linux other utility development

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated good
Software support rated good
Project support rated good
Distributor support rated good
News group support rated fair
Installation procedures rated fair
Upgrade procedures rated fair
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated good
Sharing the network with Windows NT rated good
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated good
Sharing the network with Novell rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

Mailing lists: various

Q: A description of the work in relation to the Linux servers

A: System administrator for medium size ISP

Q: A description of the site

A: ISP

Q: What is the most critical aspect of your site?

A: Dialup service

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: First ISP in this area, currently 2nd largest 100% Linux based ISP

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: Price :-)

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: Early versions (1.0.x) had some problems, everything is very stable now (2.0.x)

Q: Do you intend to expand the use of Linux at your site, and how?

A: We are 100% Linux :-)

Q: How do you compare Linux with other Unices you use and have used?

A: Much better support (hardware, and technical) than BSDI Much easier to use than (net/free)BSD(I) Much better software support than any other Unice

Q: What commercial software packages do you use with Linux, and are you satisfied?

A: None

Q: What have you done to increase the robustness of Linux at your site?

A: Become involved in kernel development :-)

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: Network tar

Q: Are there security holes in Linux you want to warn about?

A: Beware of Apache and sendmail :-)

Q: What new technologies are you expecting for future Linux development?

A: Robust SMP and clustering

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Very :-)

Dan Hollis
System Administrator
goemon@anime.net
Chatlink

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\29

Privacy: level 1
Current kernel: 2.0.17
Oldest kernel: 1.2.13
Used Slackware 3.1, rated poor
Used Red Hat 4.0, rated good
Used Yggdrasil 4.0, rated poor
Used DEC-Alpha 4.0, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 6
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 6
Number of Un*x clients: 6
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 4
Other clients: 2
Average uptime: 3 days
Longest uptime: 150 days
Average dial-in users/day: 30
Average E-mail messages/day: 5000
Maximum E-mail messages/day: ??
Average http hits/day: 50000
Maximum http hits/day: 120000
Average FTP Mb/day: 30
WWW server: NCSA
WWW server: CERN
WWW server: Apache
WWW server: ROXEN
Using XFree86
Participated in Linux kernel development
Participated in Linux network utility development
Participated in Linux other utility development

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated fair
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated good
Software support rated good
Project support rated good
Distributor support rated good
News group support rated good
Installation procedures rated good
Upgrade procedures rated good
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated good
Sharing the network with Windows NT rated good
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated good
Sharing the network with Novell rated good
Sharing the network with OS/2 rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

Netnews: comp.os.linux
Books: Unix System Administration
Magazines: Linux Journal

Q: A description of the work in relation to the Linux servers

A: System Adminstrator, BOFH, Linux Driver Programmer

Q: A description of the site

A: Dial-up Access (ISP), Web services, News, Intranet Connectivity, Internet Solutions for small/large companies

Q: What is the most critical aspect of your site?

A: Uptime and stability

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: 2 years in the making - we keep going... and going...

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: It was free, and I chose it 3 years ago.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: Yes. Stability.

Q: Do you intend to expand the use of Linux at your site, and how?

A: Yes. More news services, web services, and possibly a dial-up handler.

Q: How do you compare Linux with other Unices you use and have used?

A: It's free, and there's so much more software out for Linux than there is for any other Unix platform.

Q: What commercial software packages do you use with Linux, and are you satisfied?

A: RedHat. Completely satisfied.

Q: What have you done to increase the robustness of Linux at your site?

A: SCSI hardware, more memory, faster hard drives.

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: No.

Q: Are there security holes in Linux you want to warn about?

A: None.

Q: What new technologies are you expecting for future Linux development?

A: Faster computers, more robust Kernel, and more kernel-to- library support.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you have further comments, or suggestions for Linux administrators?

A: WRITE MORE PROGRAMS TO MAKE IT EASIER TO ADMINISTRATE ANY UNIX BOX!

Ken Hollis
Junior BOFH

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\3

Current kernel: 2.1.83
Oldest kernel: 1.0
Used Slackware 3.1, rated good
Used Red Hat 2.0, rated fair
Used JE 0.97, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 1
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 3
Number of Un*x clients: 5
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 25
Average uptime: 11 days
Longest uptime: 28 days
Using Accelerated X

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated fair
Robustness rated fair
Performance rated fair
Hardware support rated good
Software support rated fair
Project support rated fair
Distributor support rated fair
News group support rated good
Installation procedures rated poor
Upgrade procedures rated good
Un*x compatibility rated fair
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated good
Sharing the network with Windows NT rated good
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated good

Netnews: fj.os.linux
Mailing lists: LX-Mail
CDROM's: infomagik JE3 JE4
Books: O'Relly's books
Magazines: Linux journal,UNIX-USER

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: 1.Use with DOS 2.Hardware Support

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: Kanji

Q: What commercial software packages do you use with Linux, and are you satisfied?

A: UNIFY

Hayama Yossihiro

dgn@src.co.jp
SoftWare Research Co., LTD

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\4

Current kernel: 2.0.25
Oldest kernel: 1.2.13
Used Slackware 3.0, rated fair
Used Red Hat 2.1,, rated good
Used Info-Magic 2.1,, rated fair
Used Pacific Hitech some, rated poor

Number of Linux servers: 2
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 2
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 1
Average uptime: 20 days
Longest uptime: 25 days
Average dial-in users/day: 1
Average E-mail messages/day: 50
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 120
Average FTP Mb/day: 120
Using XFree86

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated fair
Software support rated fair
Project support rated good
Distributor support rated good
News group support rated good
Installation procedures rated fair
Upgrade procedures rated good
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated good
Sharing the network with Windows NT rated fair
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated fair
Sharing the network with Novell rated fair
Sharing the network with OS/2 rated fair
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated fair

WWW sites: http://www.redhat.com
Netnews: comp.os.linux.misc
Mailing lists: redhat-list@redhat.com
CDROM's: RedHat CD's
Books: Miscellaneous O'Reily.

Q: A description of the site

A: Home LAN, BBS

Q: What is the most critical aspect of your site?

A: ?

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: 1 year

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: Summer 1995. Reliability.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: Not really.

Q: Do you intend to expand the use of Linux at your site, and how?

A: Yes. By purchasing more systems when I have more money.

Q: How do you compare Linux with other Unices you use and have used?

A: Excellent

Q: What commercial software packages do you use with Linux, and are you satisfied?

A: Applixware, Motif. Almost satisfied.

Q: What have you done to increase the robustness of Linux at your site?

A: Anything I could. :)

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: Only home dirs, config files and data. System can be always easily re-installed.

Q: What new technologies are you expecting for future Linux development?

A: More hardware support.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Yup

Q: Do you have further comments, or suggestions for Linux administrators?

A: Nope.

Vlad
n/a
vladimip@iceonline.com
n/a

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\5

Current kernel: 2.0.14
Oldest kernel: 0.99pl11
Used Slackware 1.0-3.0, rated fair
Used SLS 1.0, rated poor

Number of Linux servers: 2
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 2
Number of Un*x clients: 13
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 13
Average uptime: 45 days
Longest uptime: 100 days
Average dial-in users/day: 1
Average E-mail messages/day: 200
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 500
Average http hits/day: 1500
Maximum http hits/day: 2500
Average FTP Mb/day: 5
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86
Using Postgress (mpsql)

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated good
Software support rated fair
Project support rated good
News group support rated good
Installation procedures rated good
Upgrade procedures rated fair
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated good
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

Netnews: c.o.l.*
Mailing lists: linux-Server, Linux-Security
Books: General UNIX/Network books
Magazines: Linux Journal

Q: A description of the work in relation to the Linux servers

A: Sys adm

Q: A description of the site

A: Academic/research

Q: What is the most critical aspect of your site?

A: All's working properly :)

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: In 1993 - first, as my own Unix workstation

Q: How do you compare Linux with other Unices you use and have used?

A: The best

Q: What commercial software packages do you use with Linux, and are you satisfied?

A: Ishmail, BRU - satisfied, NAG f90 + NAG library - not much

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: A script written for use with BRU

Q: Are there security holes in Linux you want to warn about?

A: Subscribe to the Linux-security mailing list

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: yes

Evgeny Stambulchik
Ph.D. student
fnevgeny@plasma-gate.weizmann.ac.il
The Weizmann Institute of Science

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\6

Current kernel: 2.0.24
Oldest kernel: 0.99pl13
Used Slackware 3.1, rated fair

Number of Linux servers: 3
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 3
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 1000
Average uptime: 15 days
Longest uptime: 27 days
Average dial-in users/day: 30
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86

Linux information rated fair
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated good
Software support rated fair
Project support rated good
Distributor support rated good
News group support rated good
Installation procedures rated good
Upgrade procedures rated fair
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with Windows NT rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated poor

Q: A description of the work in relation to the Linux servers

A: System Administrator

Q: A description of the site

A: Internet Service Provider

Q: What is the most critical aspect of your site?

A: dial-up services

Samanis Takis
System Administrator
asaman@eexi.gr
EEXI

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\7

Privacy: level 1
Current kernel: 2.0.25
Oldest kernel: 0.99.???
Used Slackware 2.0,2.1,3.0,3.1, rated good
Used Red Hat 2.0,2.1,3.0,3.1, rated good
Used Debian 2.0,2.1,3.0,3.1, rated good
Used JE 2.0,2.1,3.0,3.1, rated good
Used Caldera 2.0,2.1,3.0,3.1, rated good
Used WGS 2.0,2.1,3.0,3.1, rated good
Used Yggdrasil 2.0,2.1,3.0,3.1, rated good
Used Info-Magic 2.0,2.1,3.0,3.1, rated good
Used Linux Universe 2.0,2.1,3.0,3.1, rated good
Used Complete Linux Kit 2.0,2.1,3.0,3.1, rated good
Used S.u.S.E. 2.0,2.1,3.0,3.1, rated good
Used MKLinux 2.0,2.1,3.0,3.1, rated good
Used SoftCraft 2.0,2.1,3.0,3.1, rated good
Used Pacific Hitech 2.0,2.1,3.0,3.1, rated good
Used SLS ???, rated fair
Used DEC-Alpha ???, rated good
Used Apple+OSF ???, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 1
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 1
Number of Un*x clients: 2
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 1
Other clients: 0
Average uptime: 14 days
Longest uptime: 28 days
Average dial-in users/day: 250
Average E-mail messages/day: 1000
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 2000
Average http hits/day: 5000
Maximum http hits/day: 10000
WWW server: Apache
Participated in Linux other utility development

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated fair
Software support rated good
Project support rated good
Distributor support rated poor
News group support rated good
Installation procedures rated fair
Upgrade procedures rated fair
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated good
Sharing the network with Windows NT rated good
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated good
Sharing the network with Novell rated good
Sharing the network with OS/2 rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

Netnews: comp.os.linux.*
Magazines: Linux Journal

Q: A description of the work in relation to the Linux servers

A: I am the system administrator.

Q: A description of the site

A: ISP server.

Q: What is the most critical aspect of your site?

A: Availablity to our dial-up users.

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: Started 2 years ago.

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: We chose Linux because we believe in free software and like the great support from the net community.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: Yes, had problems with certain kernels.

Q: Do you intend to expand the use of Linux at your site, and how?

A: Plan to add a secure web server based on Linux.

Q: How do you compare Linux with other Unices you use and have used?

A: I have used many other flavours of Unix and Linux blows them all away (performancewise).

Q: What commercial software packages do you use with Linux, and are you satisfied?

A: Currently we only use free software.

Q: What have you done to increase the robustness of Linux at your site?

A: Experimented with kernel revisions and hardware (don't use NE2000 based cards).

Q: What new technologies are you expecting for future Linux development?

A: IPv6

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Absolutely! I am a software developer on Windows NT and Linux runs circles around it on less powerful hardware :)

Q: Do you have further comments, or suggestions for Linux administrators?

A: Upgrade things like sendmail and bind because there are usually fixes in the newer releasese. Also, read books!

Dr. Johannes Ruscheinski
System administrator

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\8

Privacy: level 3
Current kernel: 1.2.13
Oldest kernel: 1.1.59
Used Slackware 2.0, rated fair
Used Red Hat 3.0.3, rated good
Used Caldera 1.0, rated good
Used WGS 4.0, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 3
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 3
Number of Un*x clients: 1
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 150
Average uptime: 350 days
Longest uptime: 410 days
Average E-mail messages/day: 3000
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 5500
Average http hits/day: 150
Maximum http hits/day: 300
Average FTP Mb/day: 150
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86
Using Accelerated X

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated good
Software support rated good
Project support rated good
Distributor support rated good
Installation procedures rated good
Upgrade procedures rated good
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated good
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated good
Sharing the network with Novell rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

WWW sites: www.redhat.com
Mailing lists: Many
Magazines: Linux Journal

Q: A description of the work in relation to the Linux servers

A: I administrate the main server (mail, ftp, http) and the supplemental servers (http, ftp). Overall, everything has been a positive experience.

Q: A description of the site

A: Primarily heavy e-mail. Main server hardware: Compaq Prolinea Pentium 133, 32 RAM, 2.6 GB SCSI, 3COM 3C509 The other machines are intranet and test related. They range from basic Pentiums to a 486.

Q: What is the most critical aspect of your site?

A: Reliable e-mail.

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: Started September 1995. Worked beautifully since then.

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: Cost and relative ease. Great support from other users.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: No.

Q: Do you intend to expand the use of Linux at your site, and how?

A: We may expand the internet and intranet web servers.

Q: How do you compare Linux with other Unices you use and have used?

A: Superior.

Q: What commercial software packages do you use with Linux, and are you satisfied?

A: No commercial.

Q: What have you done to increase the robustness of Linux at your site?

A: Replaced standard software (http server, POP server) with either later releases or better packages.

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: No.

Q: Are there security holes in Linux you want to warn about?

A: Read CERT and bugtraq!

Q: What new technologies are you expecting for future Linux development?

A: Better administrative tools. (See discussion on mailing list linux-biz@lege.com)

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: YES

David Hahn
Systems Analyst/Net. Admin./Programmer
Wellsford Residential Property Trust

Mission Critical Linux - answers1\9

Current kernel: 3.0.3
Oldest kernel: 1990
Used Slackware 4.0, rated poor
Used Red Hat 4.0, rated good
Used Caldera 4.0, rated good
Used MKLinux 4.0, rated good
Used DEC-Alpha 4.0, rated poor

Number of Linux servers: 4
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 10
Number of Un*x clients: 10
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 4
Average uptime: 25 days
Longest uptime: 125 days
Average dial-in users/day: 25
Average E-mail messages/day: 250
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 10000
Average http hits/day: 10000
Maximum http hits/day: 1000000
WWW server: Apache
WWW server: Netscape
Using MetroX
Participated in Linux kernel development
Participated in Linux network utility development

Linux information rated poor
Reliability rated poor
Robustness rated fair
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated fair
Software support rated poor
Project support rated poor
Distributor support rated poor
News group support rated good
Installation procedures rated fair
Upgrade procedures rated fair
Un*x compatibility rated fair
Un*x 'look & feel' rated fair
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated fair
Sharing the network with Windows NT rated fair
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated fair
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated fair

Mailing lists: redhat list
Books: O'Reilly

Q: A description of the work in relation to the Linux servers

A: RUN A FULL SERVICE INTERNET/INTRANET PROVIDER. RUN EVERYTHING FROM DIAL-UP TO DATABASE ACCESS, AS WELL AS, PROGRAMMING SERVICES FOR ALL.

Q: A description of the site

A: ASCEND COMM EQUIPMENT HOOKED UP TO A 2100 ALPHA (NOT LINUX), A SMALLER ALPHA, THREE PC'S. THE ASCEND CONTAINS THE T1 AND THE EHTERNET INTERFACE TO REST OF SYSTEMS.

Q: What is the most critical aspect of your site?

A: KEEPING ALL THE CLIENTS BUSINESSES UP AND RUNNING

Q: Why and when did you choose to use Linux?

A: I CHOSE LINUX JUST RECENTLY BECAUSE OF COST. I HAVE BEEN PLAYING WITH LINUX SINCE THE EARLY NINTIES. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE TRUSTED IT IN A WORKING ENVIORNMENT.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: A LOT! THE CMD (IDE) CHIPSET FOR ONE. THE ABSOLUTE LACK OF QUALIFIED SUPPORT. IF YOU GET RED HAT COUNT MORE ON THE MAILING LISTS TO GET ANSWERS THAT THE SUPPORT THAT YOU GET WHEN YOU BUY. ALSO, EXPECT TO WADE THROUGH A NUMBER OF ANSWERS FROM THE MAILING LIST BEFORE YOU GET THE RIGHT ONE. LOTS OF NEWBIES OUT THERE THAT HAVE NO BUSINESS GIVING HELP TO ANYONE.

Q: Do you intend to expand the use of Linux at your site, and how?

A: I AM TRYING THE ALPHA RIGHT NOW. DEPEND ON HOW THAT AND 4.0 GO.

Q: How do you compare Linux with other Unices you use and have used?

A: LIKE WORKING ON ANY OF THE OTHER MAJOR BRANDS 5 TO 10 YEARS AGO. LACKS SOPHISTICATION AND MATURITY. BUT JUST LIKE "PREGO", IT'S ALL IN THERE.

Q: What commercial software packages do you use with Linux, and are you satisfied?

A: ONLY REALLY USE APACHE.

Q: What have you done to increase the robustness of Linux at your site?

A: WORKING ON ADMINISTRATION.

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: JUST SCRIPTS THAT DO AN AUTOMATED DUMP OF THE SYSTEMS.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: IT IS MAKING SOME INROADS. LIKE ANYHTING ELSE IT WILL MATURE. HOWEVER, ALL THE DIFFERNET VARIATIONS TEND TO HURT ITS OWN PROMULGATION.

PAUL ANDERSON

andersop@agapesystems.com
Agape Information Systems

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