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 - answers3\54

Privacy: level 5
Current kernel: 2.0.24
Oldest kernel: 1.2.13
Used Slackware 3.0.3, rated fair
Used Red Hat 3.0.3, rated good
Used Caldera 3.0.3, rated good
Used SLS 3.0.3, rated poor

Number of Linux servers: 12
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 30
Number of Un*x clients: 0
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 8
Average uptime: 112 days
Longest uptime: 193 days
Average E-mail messages/day: 100
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 300
Average http hits/day: 300
Maximum http hits/day: 1500
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86
Using MetroX
Using Accelerated X

Linux information rated fair
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated good
Software support rated fair
Project support rated fair
Distributor support rated good
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
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated fair

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

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

A: I build and administer them.

Q: A description of the site

A: We are a small options and futures trading firm on the Chicago Board of Options Exchange and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange

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

A: Our front office trading software

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: Originally a complete sun shop, we have initially used Linux as a low cost router/intranet solution, and as a low-cost firewall. It has proven so successful that we have begun implementing some Front Office applications on Linux as well, and putting the machines in front of our traders.

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

A: Cost and performance. We began using Linux about 1.5 years ago in a production environment.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: RedHat 4.0/Kernel 2.0.x appears to be less reliable than 1.2.x was. This has caused some grief in upgrading, and has caused us to remain with the old kernel for some applications.

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

A: Yes. We intend to eliminate as many of the Windows/DOS PC's as possible and replace them with Linux/WABI (where possible). In addition, we will probably expand the use of Linux in our Front Office at some point.

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

A: It is vastly superior to SCO and AIX, in terms of reliability, administrative ease, performance, and source compatability. I prefer it to Sun OS (better performance on inexpensive hardware, wider application support, and more source compatability), and consider it to be much nicer than Solaris 2.x for most things (I have yet to evaluate MP performance on Sparc with Linux v. Solaris, so in this one area Solaris 2.x may excel over Linux -- I don't know)

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

A: Applixware - nice WABI - still being evaluated Word Perfect 6.0 - very nice! AcceleratedX - very nice! MetroX - OK.

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

A: Recompiled kernels monolithicly (no modules) Avoid experimental (odd-numbered) kernels (except at home :-)). backup religiously, put machines on ups. Apply the fixes recommended in the Linux Security Alerts.

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: Not especially. Tar/dump.

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

A: Only those already mentioned in the Security Alerts.

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

A: Better integrated JAVA support, JAVA JIT compiler. This is very important to us, as most of our new projects are being written in JAVA.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Very.

Jean Liddle

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\55

Current kernel: 2.0.23
Oldest kernel: .99a
Used Slackware 1-2, rated fair
Used Red Hat 2.0-4.0, rated good
Used Yggdrasil Beta, rated poor

Number of Linux servers: 3
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 3
Number of Un*x clients: ~150
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 1
Other clients: 0
Average uptime: 7 days
Longest uptime: 35 days
Average dial-in users/day: 200
Average E-mail messages/day: 450
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 1000
Average http hits/day: 3000
Maximum http hits/day: 8000
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86
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 fair
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 Windows95 rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated fair

WWW sites: http://www.redhat.com

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

A: We maintain a small Internet Service Business, and a software development/consulting business.

Q: A description of the site

A: 3 Servers connected on a 10BaseT eterhnet with a 56KDDS (moving to 128kb/sec ISDN) connection to the Internet. Systems are housed in an industrial rack system.

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

A: Dial in server and Web Server, which must run 24 hours per day.

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: Operational since 1995, runnig 24/7, systems rehbooted for safety every 7-10 days.

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

A: Began 'experimenting' with Linux in 93, full time use in 1995. Originally chosen because of it's low cost, and networking functionality when compared to Mark Williams Coherent (Nice OS, zippo networking).

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: Early on documentation was non-existant, and hardware support was spotty. A bazillion install floppies were'nt fun either.

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

A: We plan to continue to use Linux as our sole admin OS. All new servers run Linux. My personal systems use Linux. I have introduced Linux into a corporate environment where I am doing contract work.

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

A: Far superior to MW Coherent. Superior to AT&T for ease of use and customizability.

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

A: None at the present. A tribute to the OS that all my work can be done with freely available tools that are of commercial or almost commercial quality.

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

A: Yes. We've written several monitoring and control scripts in Perl to enhance the stability of the system, and top control certain hardware interactions. Also we use X-10 control systems to allow us to remotely control our servers.

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: No. We use ftape and tar with cron jobs currently. I'd like to write a Perl based network program to automate this further.

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

A: In our personal experience, no, but there are several I am aware of via the security mailing lists.

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

A: Unknown.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Yes! We plan to expand our consulting in Linux, and I am planning to write articles on some of our projects, as well as a book.

Brad Davis
Managing Partner
bdavis@teh.com
TEH Communications/DreamPark

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\57

Privacy: level 1
Current kernel: 1.2.13
Oldest kernel: 1.2.12
Used S.u.S.E. 4.2, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 2
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 2
Number of Un*x clients: 1
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 10
Average uptime: 90 days
Longest uptime: 150 days
Average http hits/day: 500
Maximum http hits/day: 1000
WWW server: NCSA
Using XFree86
Using webspirs

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 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 fair
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated poor
Sharing the network with Novell rated fair
Sharing the network with OS/2 rated poor
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated fair

Mailing lists: linux-servers
CDROM's: S.u.S.e. Linux aktuell
Magazines: c't, IX

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

A: programming online book database for our university library, support for it. Also webspirs, online interface to Silverplatter ERL technology.

Q: A description of the site

A: give public access for campus to online databases, ERL (Medline for example) and book database access via www.

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

A: access to some databases must be limited for campus users, thats hard to solve.

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: first idea in 12/1995, oonline since 2/1996.

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

A: we have the decision between Linux and Windows (not NT), the only systems our database interface runs on, and windows isn't good to manage.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: Problems via accessing the Linux server from PC with PC/TCP, until figuring out the kernel option PCTCP compat mode

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

A: as file server, and as backup server for a large novell netware network.

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

A: solaris: better online documentation (answerbook), easy administation via admintool, but much higher hardware needs than linux. hpux: easier useable security features, better print services, but less speed.

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

A: -

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

A: own power system (accumulator), good hardware

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: no

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

A: no

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

A: a programming language like "delphi" or so, easier to use than tcltk or c++, but with graphic features for XWindows.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: yes

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

A: no

Bjoern Wiechmann

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\58

Current kernel: 2.04
Oldest kernel: 0.99
Used Slackware 3.1, rated good
Used Yggdrasil 3.1, rated fair

Number of Linux servers: 5
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 5
Number of Un*x clients: 40
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 0
Other clients: 0
Average uptime: weeks days
Longest uptime: months days
Average dial-in users/day: 6
Average E-mail messages/day: 4,000
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 8,000
Average http hits/day: 5000
Maximum http hits/day: 7000
Average FTP Mb/day: 10m
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
News group support rated good
Installation procedures rated good
Upgrade procedures rated good
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

Netnews: comp.os.linux.announce
Mailing lists: server-linux@netspace.org
CDROM's: walnut creek
Books: running linux
Magazines: linux journal

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

A: CS faculty at a small university. We have a lab with 40 linux boxes which are technically servers, but they are multi-boot machines with nfs mounts to 4 linux servers which handle (file service and http, faculty use of email and main page server, a telnet server, and a ppp server. The fifth server is my desktop.

Q: A description of the site

A: Typical university environment. The linux boxes provide them with all the tools they need for their education.

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

A: >From my perspective, it's the server on my desk. I have a cancer web page which averages around 6400 hits/day and I run 18 mailing list which are also health related. From the students point of view, the reliability of the Linux boxes is critical.

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: We ran VAX/vms until the mid 80s and then switched over to Hpux.

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

A: We have been gradually moving to Linux during the last 3 years. >From a faculty point of view, extraordinary flexibility of having your own server and abundant software. From an administrative point of view, it's been pure economics.

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: Many users across the campus are win95/win 3.11 users. We still haven't explored the SAMBA option as a print server and disk backup.

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

A: Splendid!

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

A: X-accel and yes, it's have been very useful for me.

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

A: Nothing.

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: We are moving to IDE tapedrives. THey are incredibly fast and rugged. We are using the TOB package.

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

A: No.

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

A: Better multiprocessor support and easier access to SAMBA.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Yes.

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

A: Hire smart student workers. They can make a long day hours shorter.

Gary Huckabay
professor
gary@rattler.cameron.edu
Cameron University, Lawton, OK.

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\60

Privacy: level 3
Current kernel: 2.0.0
Oldest kernel: 1.2
Used Slackware unknown, rated poor
Used Red Hat 3.0.3, rated good
Used Linux-FT 3.0.3, rated fair

Number of Linux servers: 3
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 3
Number of Un*x clients: 0
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 0
Other clients: 0
Average uptime: 5 days
Longest uptime: 30 days
Average http hits/day: 1
Maximum http hits/day: 2
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated fair
Robustness rated fair
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated fair
Software support rated poor
Project support rated poor
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 fair
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated fair

WWW sites: www.redhat.com

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

A: Speech processing, the running of CPU/disk intensive batch jobs, Software development

Q: A description of the site

A: academic research

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: long time users of Unix

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

A: With P.C. hardware, Linux gives a bigger bang per buck than other Unixes. It's rapid development means that it is advancing faster than anything else

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: Linux is already well know across the site

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

A: more user friendly than most, but not as realiable, NFS is too slow still

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

A: Motif, first version did not work properly

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

A: Upgrading steadily

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: The entire system disk has been backed up and is used to create new Linux set-ups rapidly.

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

A: No

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

A: A user interface that can compete with MS Windows. Better printer support,

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Yes

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

A: Get RedHat.

Jonathan Thompson
PhD Student
University of Swansea, UK

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\61

Current kernel: 2.0.25
Oldest kernel: 1.1.32
Used Slackware circa, rated good
Used Red Hat 4.0, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 1
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 4
Number of Un*x clients: 0
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 0
Other clients: 0
Average uptime: 20 days
Longest uptime: 30 days
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86
Participated in Linux kernel 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 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: linux.announce
CDROM's: Infomagic
Magazines: Linux Journal

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

A: I am the primary user and admin. for our branch Linux machine.

Q: A description of the site

A: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Code 745 develops attitude control systems for small scientific spacecraft.

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

A: Hi-fi simulation of entire spacecraft for many missions.

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: New machine only a few months old.

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

A: I've used Linux for years and believe in Free software.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: Yes. Getting printing to work right is always difficult... I still don't have it working...and power outage kill my primary root partition.

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

A: I plan on move more analysis from our existing DEC Alpha to the new P6/200 running Linux.

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

A: Linux is the most standard of the Unices I've used. Free s/w is most likely to run under Linux. Have some old neglected progs. like ftp seem to have problems that never get fixed.

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

A: Motif, Absoft FORTRAN, NAGware FORTRAN... GNU Fortran is the best of the bunch and Motif is buggy! Free software works better!

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

A: UPS, Disk mirrors

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: Disk mirroring

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

A: No.

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

A: Integration of MkLinux changes for running Linux over Mach.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: I'm excited about the growing popularity...I don't see any great new projects changing the OS too radically.

Rick Niles
Aerospace Engineer
niles@axp745.gsfc.nasa.gov
NASA GSFC Code 745

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\62

Privacy: level 5
Current kernel: 1.2.13
Oldest kernel: 1.0.10
Used Red Hat 4.0, rated good
Used Caldera 1.0, rated good
Used Sparc Redhat 1.0, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 2
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 52
Number of Un*x clients: 500
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 100
Other clients: 300
Average uptime: 100 days
Longest uptime: 150 days
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 fair
Project support rated good
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
Sharing the network with other Unix OS's rated good
Sharing the network with Novell rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

WWW sites: www.redhat.com www.caldera.com
Netnews: comp.os.linux.*
Mailing lists: caldera-users redhat
Magazines: Linux journal
Other: LuCAS user group (spansh)

Manuel de Vega Barreiro

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\63

Current kernel: 2.0.25
Oldest kernel: 0.12.something
Used Slackware 3.1, rated fair
Used Red Hat 4.0, rated good
Used Debian 1.1.14, rated good
Used MCC 1.1.14, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 5
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 40
Number of Un*x clients: 160
Average uptime: 150 days
Longest uptime: 150 days
Average dial-in users/day: 100
Average E-mail messages/day: 5000
Average http hits/day: 80000
Average FTP Mb/day: 550
WWW server: CERN
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86
Participated in Linux kernel development
Participated in Linux network utility development
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 fair
Software support rated good
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 Windows95 rated good
Sharing the network with Novell rated fair
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

Netnews: comp.os.linux.announce
Mailing lists: various
Books: O'Reilly books
Magazines: Linux Journal

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

A: Install, maintain, develop OS and all services.

Q: A description of the site

A: University. Much use of AFS. Services provided by my group to about 20 universities, but two in particular. Centralised funding is limited, which means PCs with Linux are easier to buy than larger workstations.

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

A: Networking.

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: Major supercomputing centre and joint University national resource for 30 years. Major networking centre for British universities, especially in the last 10 years.

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

A: I began using Linux late in 1991 (November or December). This was with 0.11 or 0.12.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: The development of networking and X made it a serious tool. Improvement of networking was vary important to expansion of Linux community in Manchester.

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

A: Creation of large clusters for departments with Unix computing needs.

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

A: Small, strong, dependable, fixable, reliable.

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

A: Fix kernel, library, applications bugs.

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

A: Not if you are very up-to-date. Use 2.0.25 or later, libc-5.4.11 or later, keep up with security web sites and news groups.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Yes!

Dr. A V Le Blanc
Systems Programmer
LeBlanc@mcc.ac.uk
University of Manchester

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\64

Privacy: level 6
Current kernel: 2.0.24
Oldest kernel: 1.1.59
Used Slackware 1.1.14, rated good
Used Red Hat 4.0, rated good
Used Info-Magic 1.2.8, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 4
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 6
Number of Un*x clients: 4
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 1
Other clients: 1
Average uptime: 60 days
Longest uptime: 180 days
Average E-mail messages/day: 20
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 100
Average http hits/day: 9000
Maximum http hits/day: 15000
WWW server: NCSA
WWW server: Apache
Using MetroX
Participated in Linux other utility development
Using Mini SQL (msql)
Using CVS, custom airline s/w

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 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
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

WWW sites: sunsite.unc.edu
Netnews: comp.os.linux.announce
Mailing lists: eata, et-inc
CDROM's: infomagic
Books: Linux programming

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

A: Development of pure-custom software for service to travel agencies on-line, real-time reservation system for air travel, hotel/hospitality, car rental, vacation/tours.

Q: A description of the site

A: Web to mainframe (TPF) gateway, processing HostALC (a proprietary airline protocol similar to X.25) layered on top of frame relay. Mainframe data is converted to web pages. Pure sutom softare includes SQL database with 1 million city pairs, and soon to grow ten-fold. Multiple linux sql database are currently being evaluated. Development environment is pure linux; the development server acts as repository for all source code, project schedules, defect tracking, collaborative web pages/hypermail/documentation, etc.

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

A: Most Critical? that the following peices all work together without crashing: (*) airline mainframe connection (*) sql database under heavy load (*) web server On the internal web server, the critical aspects are high uptime for the cvs code repsoitory, the hypermail, and the WISE system.

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: Startup company; now at 10 employees & hangers-on. We expect rapid and sudden growth; well see how linux survives this.

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

A: Linux selected in January 1995. Original plans to develop for Windows NT abandoned after the 40'th reboot. NT also lacked tools, functions, features, good software, cheap software.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: Lack of Linux/unix skills in jobs marketplace, (very) high programmer salaries. Lack of system administrators with linux skills and/or firewall, networking, dns, email, pop3, httpd, etc. skills. Lack of general knowledge of unix internals. Hostility, open and concealed from the Windows NT camp. Duplicity. Unfortunately, many of the advisors & consultants to our company don't know unix, dismiss linux, and show general ignorance of computing technology, all while strongly advocating Windows NT as the right solution.

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

A: Yes. We are working with selected airline industry vendors to get thier software ported to linux.

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

A: At our level of use, it is the best unix available, period. It may not have the high-availability/fault tolerant feaures available in commercial $250K mega-server unix boxes, but we haven't needed (and couldn't pay for!) these yet. However, load is currently light; it is expected to grow ten-fold to fifty-fold in the next 4 months. Ask me again later.

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

A: mSQL. Satisfied, but we are shopping around for a more feature rich SQL database. So far, we've only pushed the edge on SQL and the mainframe connection. The other tasks haven't necessitated finding a solid commercial solution. MetroX, but only cause it comes with Red Hat

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

A: No special tweaking needed.

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: Nothing unusal. tape backup.

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

A: Following ALERT is a pain in the #$%^ especially when a new sendmail hole requires installing new libc's. Yuck. Avoid sendmail!!

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

A: Java. Better java development environment. improved network management tools; better/simpler/cheaper/easier snmp; simplified, automated snmp mib development tool. Better system management tools. log files need to be monitored in a simpler fashion. remote sysadmin tools needed, something that doesn't require sysadmin to get everybody's root password. automated tools for setting up fierewall and then tracking/monitoring it. sysadmin tools that integrate SQL databasess into the a coherent monitoring package. A better/graphical tool for eata_dma DPT RAID arrays.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Very! I love it!

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

A: Convince your boss to spend real money for real sysadmin tools. The linux community could benefit from a more powerful, integrated sysadmin/network admin tool.

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\65

Privacy: level 1
Current kernel: 1.2.13
Oldest kernel: 1.0.15
Used Slackware 3.0, rated fair
Used Red Hat 4.0, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 20
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 20+
Number of Un*x clients: 300+
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 25+
Average uptime: 30 days
Longest uptime: 55 days
Average dial-in users/day: 4
Average E-mail messages/day: 1000
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 3000
Average http hits/day: 100
Maximum http hits/day: 1000
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86
Participated in Linux kernel development
Participated in Linux other utility 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 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

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

A: Support of Linux Systems for a variety of purposes; such as Samba, Firewall Services, Routing Services, SMTP, HTTP, FTP, DNS, etc.

Q: A description of the site

A: Here, at my full time job, we have 3 Linux servers doing all of the above, with a major usage in Samba to serve PC's.

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

A: Samba

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: n/a

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

A: It is good and it is free.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: Yes, kernel experimenting. I now only upgrade when I really have to.

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

A: Yes. As an Intranet server and a server with Postgres95 serving as a new database.

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

A: Much better. Better tools available and support world wide.

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

A: McCafee VirusScan, and yes.

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

A: Memory.

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: Yes, perl scripts I have written and will be available via GPL.

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

A: Bad x-windows Administrators :)

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

A: More commercial acceptance via new commerocial applications.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Very much so. I have personally 3 Linux boxes at home!

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

A: Kick the !%?! out of NT!

Peter Kelly
Network Administrator

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\66

Current kernel: 2.0.25
Oldest kernel: .93
Used Slackware every, rated good
Used SLS every, rated poor
Used from scratch every, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 3
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 5
Number of Un*x clients: 5
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 12
Other clients: 5
Average uptime: 20 days
Longest uptime: 20 days
Average E-mail messages/day: 300
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 500
Average http hits/day: 1000
Maximum http hits/day: 5000
WWW server: NCSA
WWW server: Apache
WWW server: wn (newer gn)
Using XFree86
Participated in Linux other utility development
Using Postgress (mpsql)
Using Mini SQL (msql)
Using gopher and trying hyperg

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 fair
News group support rated good
Installation procedures rated good
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
Sharing the network with Novell rated fair
Sharing the network with OS/2 rated fair
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

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

A: 1993-94 linux evangelism, system + network administration, academic research in Art applied to GUI design (using uib on linux/X) 1995-96 www development for internet/intranet/extranet

Q: A description of the site

A: typical small business network, with users involved in 'business productivity (M$ Office)', system design, internet-based research, and internet-based communications

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

A: All commercial WWW sites developed on linux boxes before being uploaded to ISP unix servers

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

A: Started in 1993, downloaded way-early kernels from a dialup BBS. Later helped start two UCLA grad schools of education and information science on Linux, serving gopher and ftp via .9x linux kernels. These cheap PC's were serving 250-500 daily users in academic environment on the .9x kernels!

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: upgrading mission-critical servers when there's not disk space and tape backup :-(

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

A: only limited by hardware and people who need to run 'business productivity apps' Applixware may save the day :-)

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

A: As a user, I prefer it, I really miss defaulting to the GNU world when I log in to a Sun os SGI box As an admin, I also prefer it. Cry 'help' in the linux world and you get international expert answers in minutes. Try getting as fast or useful a response from sun or sgi!

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

A: netscape browser, adobe acrobat viewer, CONSIDERING ApplixWare or entire redhat distribution actually, the only DIS-satisfaction is with the Adobe Acrobat.

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

A: stay away from development kernels at work stay current with entire project from home

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: amanda

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

A: well, user education and policy are potentially huge holes :-) setting up a new linux box with perfect security is hard. the linux distributions I've tried and read about all have assorted holes coming ready-to-run the default 'satan, snake. and ?' example users from the earlier slackware distributions come to mind.

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

A: wider acceptance from big vendors. It's really nice to see microsoft, DEC. and other bigshots grudgingly acknowledge the Linux Presence and cater to it.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: heck yes!!

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

A: Well, could we get Linus T. to put a coffee machine into the wish list for kernel 2.4? In my opinion, Linux is light years ahead of other UN*X's because we're the only OS in the world keeping up with the insane pace of technology.

Sean Dreilinger
Director, Internet Services
sean@kensho.com
Kensho, L:LC; a division of ARK Enterprises

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\67

Privacy: level 5
Current kernel: 2.0.16
Oldest kernel: 1.1.57
Used Slackware 2, rated good
Used Red Hat 2, rated good
Used Debian current, rated good
Used JE current, rated good
Used Caldera current, rated good
Used WGS current, rated good
Used Yggdrasil current, rated good
Used Info-Magic current, rated good
Used Linux Universe current, rated good
Used Complete Linux Kit current, rated good
Used S.u.S.E. current, rated good
Used MKLinux current, rated good
Used SoftCraft current, rated good
Used Pacific Hitech current, rated good
Used SLS current, rated good
Used DEC-Alpha current, rated good
Used Apple+OSF current, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 8
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 8
Number of Un*x clients: 8
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 6
Average uptime: 30 days
Longest uptime: 90 days
Average dial-in users/day: 4
Average E-mail messages/day: 50
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 500
Average http hits/day: 200
Maximum http hits/day: 5000
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86
Using custom built for Linux server, wintel clients, using SSLeay and CodeBase

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 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 fair
Sharing the network with OS/2 rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated fair

WWW sites: http://www.altavista.com, http://www.debian.org, http://sunsite.unc.edu
Netnews: comp.os.linux.*
Mailing lists: linux-biz@lege.com

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

A: We built commercial software solutions, and invariably use Linux as the server platform when we choose the server (i.e., there is not already one installed).

Q: A description of the site

A: we use Linux as a: fileserver with NFS and Samba, fax spooler (incoming and outgoing), print spooler, dial-in server for both shell and PPP accounts, Intranet server, Internet WWW server, IP packet filter, backup solution, development platform, ...

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

A: all our mission critical software and documents are on-line.

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: 2 years old.

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

A: a friend showed it to me, and I already had SunOS experience, so it looked like a good way to go for an office environment.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: the first release of Linux I looked at had no support for my then-very-high-end AHA-2840 SCSI card. that's about the biggest problem I've ever seen -- everything has worked more or less out of the box since.

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

A: as we need more hardware, it will tend to get Linux installed.

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

A: better suite of utilities tend to come with it.

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

A: CodeBase from Sequiter, and I like it a lot.

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

A: stopped hitting the reset switch with my big toe by accident.

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: machine-to-machine mirroring at night, tape at longer intervals.

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

A: nothing especially linux. just the usual SUID-root problems, weak passwords, etc. common to all unices.

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

A: I understand that very fast and not-too-expensive PowerPC boxes are forthcoming from Motorola. These may make nice Linux servers.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Sure.

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

A: Don't sell your management on "linux" or "freeware". just point out that you have a solution for this $X, that will provide Y benefits. People get scared when they hear "free".

Idan Shoham

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\68

Current kernel: 2.0.24
Oldest kernel: 0.98
Used Slackware 3.0, rated fair
Used Red Hat 4.0, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 3
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 10
Number of Un*x clients: 8
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 3
Average uptime: 50 days
Longest uptime: 109 days
Average E-mail messages/day: 500
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 5000
Average http hits/day: 2300
Maximum http hits/day: 5000
Average FTP Mb/day: 30
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86
Using Accelerated X
Participated in Linux kernel 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 fair
Project support rated fair
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
Sharing the network with Novell rated fair
Sharing the network with OS/2 rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

WWW sites: too many to name
Netnews: comp.os.linux.announce
Mailing lists: linux-kernel, many others

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

A: System 1 and 2 are directly under my control at all times. System 3 is located at an ISP; I am its lead administrator but there are 2 others.

Q: A description of the site

A: System 1 is a small server+client system at work which I use all day plus use as a mail server. System 2 is my home gateway/server system System 3 is wauug.erols.com, a medium-large WWW+FTP+Mail+others server directly on the Internet.

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

A: WWW, Mail, FTP, NTP (site #3)

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: Donated by Erol's Internet Dec. 1995. Initially installed with Slackware 3.0, but nearly all components upgraded by hand. Rarely reboots; in 1 year crashed once due to physical memory failure and once due to suspected Giant Ping packet prior to 2.0.24 upgrade. No other unscheduled downtime.

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

A: Chose SLS Linux over NetBSD for home use in summer '93 due to superior hardware support.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: None major. Missing drivers always appear, reproducible software bugs nearly always get fixed (much more responsively than with commercial software.

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

A: Yes. At work I'd like to use it for X display stations, desktops for technical users, and more server applications.

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

A: It is much faster on given hardware, more sturdy kernel and networking. Tools are more flexible. Application and commercial support lacking, but this is starting to change.

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

A: Accelerated-X - very good Applixware - very good

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

A: Nothing special

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: Usual occasional tape backups, disk-to-disk backups of key info.

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

A: Nothing unusual.

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

A: Probably things we haven't even thought of yet. I'd like to see the capability to save the state of processes and to have multiple independent environments on a single machine (i.e. and extension of chroot).

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Yes.

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

A: Watch for new developments, don't be afraid to try bold new techniques, and find at least a small area to give back to the Linux community.

David C Niemi
Senior Technical Analyst
niemi@wauug.erols.com
Sallie Mae

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\69

Privacy: level 4
Current kernel: 2.0
Oldest kernel: 1.8
Used Slackware 4.0, rated poor
Used Red Hat 4.0, rated good
Used Debian 1.11, rated good
Used Caldera 1.0, rated good
Used WGS 1.0, rated fair
Used Yggdrasil 1.0, rated fair
Used Info-Magic 1.0, rated fair
Used Linux Universe 1.0, rated fair
Used Complete Linux Kit 1.0, rated fair
Used S.u.S.E. 1.0, rated fair
Used MKLinux 1.0, rated fair
Used SoftCraft 1.0, rated fair
Used Pacific Hitech 1.0, rated fair
Used SLS 1.0, rated fair
Used DEC-Alpha 4.0, rated good
Used Apple+OSF 4.0, rated fair

Number of Linux servers: 3
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 3
Number of Un*x clients: 1
Average uptime: 22 days
Longest uptime: 41 days
Average dial-in users/day: 1
Average E-mail messages/day: 40
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 120
Average http hits/day: 20
Maximum http hits/day: 40
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86
Using Mini SQL (msql)

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 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 good
Sharing the network with OS/2 rated fair
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

Magazines: linux journal
Other: cert

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\70

Current kernel: 2.0.26
Oldest kernel: 1.1.x
Used Slackware 2.x, rated good
Used DEC-Alpha 3.0.3, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 5
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 5
Number of Un*x clients: 90
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 10
Average uptime: varies days
Longest uptime: 2 days
Average dial-in users/day: 30
Average E-mail messages/day: ?
Maximum E-mail messages/day: ?
Average http hits/day: 1500
Maximum http hits/day: 5000
Average FTP Mb/day: internal
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86
Participated in Linux network utility development
Participated in Linux other utility development
Using Postgress (mpsql)
Using Mini SQL (msql)

Linux information rated fair
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 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
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated fair

WWW sites: a lot
Netnews: linux.*
CDROM's: Distributions
Books: a lot
Magazines: LJ

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

A: develop and maintain

Q: A description of the site

A: ISP

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

A: The customers

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: Always an ISP

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

A: Fast, free, stable, software, etc.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: not realy

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

A: More/faster servers

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

A: better

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: configuring/installing additional software

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: Mirroring on 2nd HD, tape backup, extra hardware/servers

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

A: See linux-security mailing-list

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

A: Better SMP, IPv6, etc.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Centainly

Sander Steffann
Dhr.
sander@nederland.net
Computel Standby BV

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\71

Privacy: level 1
Current kernel: 2.0.18
Oldest kernel: 0.99pl12
Used Slackware 1.2-3.1, rated fair
Used Red Hat 4.0, rated good
Used MKLinux 4.0, rated fair

Number of Linux servers: 2
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 3
Number of Un*x clients: 2
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 4
Other clients: 1
Average uptime: 45 days
Longest uptime: 150 days
Average E-mail messages/day: 675
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 4834
Average http hits/day: 334
Maximum http hits/day: 528
Average FTP Mb/day: 8
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86
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 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
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

WWW sites: http://www.ssc.com/linux/linux.html
Mailing lists: BUGTRAQ
BBS's: ISCA BBS (telnet bbs.isca.uiowa.edu)

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

A: I own them and I run them.

Q: A description of the site

A: This site provides Internet services and software distribution.

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

A: The most critical services are WWW and FTP, as the primary methods of software distribution. Our software is in use by thousands of people, who must be able to access the server for upgrades, information and support.

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: It is a fairly recent development, made possible by cheap access to the Internet backbone. Prior to that, software distribution was done via accounts with Internet service providers. This had serious drawbacks in terms of security and statistical analysis.

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

A: I have been using Linux personally for over three years, and its cheap availability and obvious superiority over the other choice (UnixWare) made it the only choice.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: Just the minor tweaks required at any site.

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

A: As the site expands, Linux will be used for all additional servers.

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

A: Linux is still a bit rough around the edges of the most innovative technologies, e.g. RAID; however, in most other areas it's vastly superior. Take UnixWare for example, which can't even let go of its TCP connections properly.

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

A: None at present.

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

A: I always spend time tweaking a Unix system to taste, and I always keep programs updated when security, bugs or other issues arise.

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: Backup is done on a daily basis to 4mm DAT tape.

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

A: Just subscribe to BUGTRAQ; it's in there.

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

A: I am eagerly awaiting journaled filesystems, and the securelevel addition.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Very much so.

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

A: Have fun. Beyond that, expose yourself to as many other Unix flavors as you can. In addition to being a learning experience, it should keep you coming back to Linux. :)

Michael Hampton
System Administrator

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\72

Current kernel: 2.0.26
Oldest kernel: 1.2.13
Used Slackware 4.0, rated fair
Used Red Hat 4.0, rated good
Used Caldera 1.0, rated fair
Used DLD 1.0, rated fair

Number of Linux servers: 3
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 4
Number of Un*x clients: 2
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 6
Other clients: 3
Average uptime: 30 days
Longest uptime: 100 days
Average dial-in users/day: 30
Average E-mail messages/day: 500
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 1000
Average http hits/day: 2000
Maximum http hits/day: 8000
Average FTP Mb/day: 100
WWW server: Apache
Using Accelerated X
Participated in Linux network utility development
Participated in Linux other utility development
Using Postgress (mpsql)

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated fair
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated fair
Software support rated good
Project support rated fair
Distributor support rated poor
News group support rated fair
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 good
Sharing the network with Windows NT rated fair
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated good
Sharing the network with Novell rated fair
Sharing the network with OS/2 rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated poor

WWW sites: sunsite.unc.edu
Mailing lists: isdn4linux, redhat

Robert Herter
Internet
herter@ro-online.de
roNet GmbH

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\73

Current kernel: 2.0.1
Oldest kernel: 0.8X
Used Slackware All, rated fair
Used Red Hat 3.03, rated good
Used Debian 3.03, rated fair
Used JE 3.03, rated fair
Used Yggdrasil 3.03, rated poor
Used DEC-Alpha 3.03, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 5
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 5
Number of Un*x clients: 20
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 15
Other clients: 5
Average uptime: 7 days
Longest uptime: 150 days
WWW server: Apache SSL
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 fair
Distributor support rated fair
News group support rated fair
Installation procedures rated fair
Upgrade procedures rated poor
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
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

Mailing lists: linux@nuclecu.unam.mx
CDROM's: Info Magic
Books: Linux Bible

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

A: Info is really 'all arounf the place' nut never where you are looking for it.

Q: A description of the site

A: Pre-press shop. I am building a WWW server now on the digital.

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

A: We move about 16 gigabytes per day.

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: A year ago there was 1 server (Novell) with 8 gigs HD and 32 megs RAM. They needed more because of novell's poor performance and be able just to throw in another server if needed. So they hired me. We are the only such sucessful business running linux and are winning the market. No other graphics shop network is as fast as ours and that translates in faster jobs.

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

A: I am a linux guru. Stability, price :)

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: Yeap but nothing I have not been able to fix.

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

A: Always, depending on what is needed.

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

A: Very good.

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

A: Lots of thing, too many to mention. Patched programs.

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: I just cron them.

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

A: Depends on the distribution.

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

A: Don't know already there is a lot.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Yes

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

A: Keep on working. It will pay.

Fernan Rodriguez
Network administrator and programmer
save@giga.com.ar
Save As

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\74

Privacy: level 1
Current kernel: 1.0.9
Oldest kernel: .99pl15
Used Slackware 3.0,3.1, rated good
Used Red Hat 3.0,3.1, rated good
Used Debian 3.0,3.1, rated good
Used JE 3.0,3.1, rated good
Used Caldera 3.0,3.1, rated good
Used WGS 3.0,3.1, rated good
Used Yggdrasil 3.0,3.1, rated good
Used Info-Magic 3.0,3.1, rated good
Used Linux Universe 3.0,3.1, rated good
Used Complete Linux Kit 3.0,3.1, rated good
Used S.u.S.E. 3.0,3.1, rated good
Used MKLinux 3.0,3.1, rated good
Used SoftCraft 3.0,3.1, rated good
Used Pacific Hitech 3.0,3.1, rated good
Used SLS cant, rated good
Used DEC-Alpha cant, rated good
Used Apple+OSF cant, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 5
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 6
Number of Un*x clients: 43
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 116
Average uptime: 120 days
Longest uptime: 250 days
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86
Using MetroX

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated good
Software support rated fair
Project support rated fair
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

WWW sites: http://www.linux.org

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

A: I admin all the linux servers and the enitre network.

Q: A description of the site

A: I can not answer this question due to non-discloser

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

A: I can not answer this question due to non-discloser

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: We started it well, 4 years ago i think with one server. 486-33 with 16 meg of ram and 350 meg hd.

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

A: I liked the idea of a x86 based un*x clone. and i fell in love with it

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: none caused by linux its sealf.

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

A: yep, but i can not comment on how due to non-discloser

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

A: linux is the best

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

A: Caldera network desktop, wabi, wp. i love them all

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

A: rebult the computers like tank's, and use kernel versions i beleve are at least 99% stable

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: i can not comment due to non-discloer

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

A: linux is full of them. not enuf time to tell ya them all.

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

A: ppro based SMP, sparc-linux, ppc-linux

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: yep

Craig Borchardt
Director of Information Tech

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\75

Current kernel: 2.0.0
Oldest kernel: 1.1.59
Used Slackware 3.0, rated fair
Used Red Hat 3.0.3, rated fair

Number of Linux servers: 2
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 2
Number of Un*x clients: 0
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 5
Other clients: 0
Average uptime: 30 days
Longest uptime: 180 days
Average E-mail messages/day: 10
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 100
Average http hits/day: 25
Maximum http hits/day: 100
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 good
Distributor support rated fair
News group support rated good
Installation procedures rated fair
Upgrade procedures rated poor
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
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

WWW sites: www.xnet.com/~blatura/linapps.shtml
Netnews: comp.os.linux.*
CDROM's: Slackware 3.1

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

A: I'm a PhD student. I administrate 2 workstations.

Q: A description of the site

A: Our group has around 60 workstations: PC's (Windows NT), PC's (Linux), Macintosh, SGI and HP - but mostly Suns running SunOS and Solaris.

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

A: People have to be able to work on. Our gateway is an old Sparcstation 1+ running SunOS, which is also mail-server, NFS-server and atalkd- server. It crashes regularly. Also, the system administrator's workstation (a Sparcstation 20) is NIS+ and NFS-server. Since all systems depend on these two, all workstations hang if one of them crashes or is rebooted for maintenance.

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: Began with Sparcstation 1's some 10 years ago, now a wild variety of Unix workstations and PC's/Macs.

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

A: I had the option of buying a workstation after my own taste. Since I used Linux at home, I thought it would be the most cost-effective solution (i.e., the same amount of money buys you a Sparcstation 4 with less memory, less disk space and half the performance).

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: Not really, although upgrades seem to be nearly impossible (for me, at least). The only way seems to be backing up all configuration files and local binaries and installing the new version over the old one.

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

A: No. I'm not the one in charge of buying new workstations. Furthermore, our management has decided to focus on Solaris.

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

A: As good as any Unix, and certainly faster in less memory on the same hardware. Also, faster in response to new hardware.

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

A: None - only a trial version of Mathematica, and Netscape. Both crash regularly. This might have something to do with Motif. And Scilimage, a commercial image processing package partly written by our research group. I would like to use Matlab, but as yet there is no version that works with the flexlm license manager we have running on our network. MathWorks promises one will arive soon....

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

A: I use an automounter (amd) to mount the various NFS-partitions on our LAN. Each night, the most relevant NIS-files are copied to local files to prevent the machines from hanging when our NIS-server is down. This does not work completely satisfactory. Automounting was not trivial, since the automounter needs maps in a certain format, which is incompatible with Sun maps. I had to glue together some C and Perl programs to convert these maps on the spot and push them to the NIS server.

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: No. Local disks aren't backed up, home directories are backed up on the network.

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

A: Setuid-programs, ofcourse.

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

A: I hope to see multi-threading and well-balanced SMP in future releases, since it's the last obstacle in the ongoing Solaris-Linux debate we have over here :) Perhaps some more tools to facilitate integration in a multi-OS environment - it's the litte differences between SunOS, Linux, Irix, HPUX etc. that can make life difficult.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Yes.

Dick de Ridder
Ir.
dick@ph.tn.tudelft.nl
Pattern Recognition Group, Delft University of Technology

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\76

Privacy: level 1
Current kernel: 2.0.26
Oldest kernel: 1.2.13
Used Slackware 3, rated good
Used Red Hat 4, rated good
Used Caldera 1, rated fair
Used SLS 1, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 3
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 5
Number of Un*x clients: 10
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 0
Other clients: 0
Average uptime: 28 days
Longest uptime: 129 days
Average dial-in users/day: 20
Average E-mail messages/day: 1000
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 2000
Average http hits/day: 10,000
Maximum http hits/day: 20,000
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86
Participated in Linux kernel development
Participated in Linux network utility development
Participated in Linux other utility development
Using Btrieve
Using Postgress (mpsql)
Using Home-Grown!

Linux information rated good
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated good
Software support rated fair
Project support rated fair
Distributor support rated fair
News group support rated good
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
Sharing the network with Novell rated good
Sharing the network with OS/2 rated fair
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

Netnews: comp.os.linux.announce, comp.os.linux.misc

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

A: Sysadmin

Q: A description of the site

A: SoftNET Internet part of Softwasre Warehouse. Mainly accounting and user information as well as our own internal Intranet for product information. None of the On-Site Linux servers are public Internet servers, Internet services are run on an SGI (Not my choice!)

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

A: User accounting information

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: None.

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

A: As soon as I arrived on the scene, I saw an immediate place for Linux.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: None at all.

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

A: Certainly do, Linux will soon form the center of our On-Line ordering system.

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

A: FAR, FAR Superiour in terms of usability friendliness and speed!

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

A: WordPerfect mainly, plus Netscape. Not satisfied at all, needs MUCH better "visual" application builders, especially for X and Java. Also a more integrated office suite would be nice.

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

A: Not much, it didn't need much.

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: Yes, we use an incremental backup taken over all servers (Including Novell) from a central Linux backup server.

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

A: Not really, it's pretty good apart from the nasty Win95 machines crashing some of theboxes with their pings!

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

A: Where do I begin! Microkernel would be fun certainly, Support for WinNT binaries would also be very cool.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Yes!

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

A: Yes, Keep at Linux!

Leigh A. Porter
Internet systems Administrator

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\77

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

Number of Linux servers: 5
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 6
Number of Un*x clients: 0
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 20
Other clients: 35
Average uptime: 30 days
Longest uptime: 128 days
Average E-mail messages/day: 5000
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 6000
Average http hits/day: ?
Maximum http hits/day: ?
WWW server: Apache

Linux information rated fair
Reliability rated good
Robustness rated good
Performance rated good
Hardware support rated fair
Software support rated poor
Project support rated fair
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

WWW sites: www.redhat.com
Netnews: comp.os.linux.misc
Mailing lists: linux-admin
Books: O'Reilly
Magazines: sysadmin

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

A: I administer a +6000 user ISP, we have a dedicated news box, a dedicated named box, a dedicated general users box and a dedicated corporate box. Each user and corporate box handles WWW/pop3/smtp/ftp

Q: A description of the site

A: ISP

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

A: The internet never closes.

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: Previous Admin ran Slackware and setup some disgusting NFS mounts. Moved to Red Hat 3.0.3 with security updates and have been there ever since. Total time with linux 1.5 years (history of the company).

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

A: Support and Experience.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: SUpport for certain hardware, Adaptech SCSI controllers, RAID, etc.

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

A: Yes, we will be adding more dedicated servers in the future and they will all be linux.

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

A: Better, cheaper suport

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: Redundant servers with ip_alias.

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: tar and as tape.

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

A: same as in every unix.

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

A: Graphical point'n'drool tools.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Yes.

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

A: Read book about general administration, then get Linux specific.

Bryan C. Andregg
System/Network Administrator
bandregg@idir.net
Internet Direct Communications

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\78

Current kernel: 2.0.8
Oldest kernel: 1.2.10
Used Slackware 3.0.3/4.0, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 1
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 3
Number of Un*x clients: 2
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 150
Average uptime: 200+ days
Longest uptime: 200+ days
Average E-mail messages/day: 100
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 200
Using XFree86

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 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 Novell rated fair
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated poor

WWW sites: various
Netnews: various
Mailing lists: linux-alert
Books: Using Linux

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

A: Mainly used as our email server and as a UUCP dialup to server to our ISP.

Q: A description of the site

A: Email for about 150+ users at to sites....over our WAN

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: Previously used Microsoft Mail, but this was a much cheaper solution when we wanted internet mail.

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

A: Cost at the time about 2 years ago.

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: No, except getting started. Now it is as easy as anything.

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

A: Yes. As a news server and possibly as a firewall if we get a dedicated connection.

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

A: Compared to Solaris, I think it is tons easier to administer.

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: UPS, mainly automated log cleanups, etc.

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: no

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

A: Possibly menu driven administration. I have used SMIT on AIX and even tho it is very cludgy and very far from perfect, I think they have a good idea so administrators that don't know or really need to know the underlying commands.

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: Yes.

James Duncan
System Programmer
jduncan@ccolor.com
Communicolor

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\79

Privacy: level 1
Current kernel: 2.0.18
Oldest kernel: 1.2.8
Used Slackware 1.2.8, rated good
Used Red Hat 1.2.13, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 1
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 1
Number of Un*x clients: 15
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 6
Average uptime: 100 days
Longest uptime: 496 days
Average E-mail messages/day: 30
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 120
Average http hits/day: 60
Maximum http hits/day: 230
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 fair
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 fair
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 good

WWW sites: www.wknc.ncsu.edu

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

A: administrator, maintanence

Q: A description of the site

A: WKNC-FM, North Carolina State University radio station web site, print server, NetWare server, Samba, etc....

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

A: web site hits with heavy graphics

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: esatblished in 1993 running an ungodly old version of linux as a X-server

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

A: i enjoy the fact that it is not commercial ( developed by engineers interested in furthering the utility of the OS for themselves and others and not focussing solely on profit ), along with a high degree of flexiblity and reliability

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: complex problems and lack of good support, but that is part of learning to use a computer from the software and hardware aspect

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

A: maybe, depending on our growing needs, but not immediately

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

A: works very well

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: kept up with the upgrades and enhanced the hardware

Q: Are you using any special backup procedures?

A: ftp, harddisk mirror, tape archive

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

A: no

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

A: better office suites to make it THE true alternative

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: yes

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

A: learn about how hardware and software interface, it is not a toy

Christopher P. Phillips
Assistant Engineer, WKNC-FM

Mission Critical Linux - answers3\80

Privacy: level 1
Current kernel: 2.0.24
Oldest kernel: 1.2.13
Used Slackware 3.0, rated good

Number of Linux servers: 1
Total number of Un*x servers (including Linux): 1
Number of Un*x clients: 0
Number of DOS/Windows clients: 75
Average uptime: 10 days
Longest uptime: 20 days
Average E-mail messages/day: 200
Maximum E-mail messages/day: 400
Average http hits/day: 100
Maximum http hits/day: 1000
WWW server: Apache
Using XFree86
Using Accelerated X

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 fair
Installation procedures rated fair
Upgrade procedures rated poor
Un*x compatibility rated good
Un*x 'look & feel' rated good
Sharing the network with Windows NT rated fair
Sharing the network with Windows95 rated good
Contact with fellow Linux administrators rated good

WWW sites: www.linux.org
Mailing lists: linux-security@redhat.com

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

A: admin, postmaster, webmaster

Q: A description of the site

A: web, email server

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

A: web server

Q: What is the history of the site?

A: 9 months hanging off a 10 Mbit ethernet connected to a T3 with one major crash (disk related)

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

A: free, better performance than windows

Q: Did you experience any failures or hurdles?

A: one hard drive failure

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

A: not at the present, no need

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

A: pretty much the same except most sites don't use bash or fvwm

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: more memory so it doesn't hit the disks as much

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

A: always get the latest sendmail, and shut down any services (rpc etc) that you don't use

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

A: DVD it seems about the time anything new comes out somebody is already working on it

Q: Are you excited about the future of Linux?

A: We need a better install if were ever going to get win95 people

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

A: go SCSI i you can afford it, but it's not absolutely neccessaruy

Mason Pokladnik

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Last modified: 11:45 26/7/1997