*BSD News Article 47920


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Xref: sserve news.software.nntp:14783 comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc:4003 comp.os.linux.advocacy:14912
Message-ID: <950804105755.AA7313@dojo>
Date: Fri, 4 Aug 1995 10:57:55 GMT
Path: sserve!newshost.anu.edu.au!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!simtel!dojo!not-for-PROFS
Newsgroups: news.software.nntp,comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc,comp.os.linux.advocacy
From: Mike O'Connor <mjo@dojo.mi.org>
Subject: Re: Sun/Solaris or Pentium/Linux for new server ?
References: <3vlpgk$rdk@graphite.comco.com> <3vpg3g$q35@shell2.best.com> <950803085819.AA29439@dojo> <3vrth1$7cp@gate.sinica.edu.tw>
Reply-To: Mike O'Connor <mjo@dojo.mi.org>
Organization: :noitazinagrO
Distribution: inet
Lines: 28

In article <3vrth1$7cp@gate.sinica.edu.tw>,
Brian Tao <taob@gate.sinica.edu.tw> wrote:

:    So what are the *good* reasons for running a news server with
:Linux instead of FreeBSD then?  FreeBSD 2.0.5 does not have any of the
:3 problems problems you outlined (can handle a heavy NNTP/NNRP load,
:has fast, recoverable VM and I believe mmap() works correctly in post
:2.0.5 releases).  There must be something holding you back.  Device
:drivers for hardware you own exist in Linux but not FreeBSD?

Though 90-95% of what this Linux box does is news, there's a rather
critical 5-10% that is much happier with a Linux box.  Long-term, I feel
I can deal with the configuration that I have, but I wouldn't recommend
it to someone who doesn't want to fiddle around a bit.  I've learned a
bit about Linux by running news on it, _because_ of its shortcomings.  :)
The 'cons' I mention are mostly true in high-stress news environments --
if the 16MB SPARC 1 news server at my 200-person employer dies out, I
wouldn't feel too bad if I had to run Linux on its replacement, since
obviously, we're talking about a small load.  (Well, anything is a large
load on a 16MB SPARC 1 these days, but that's another story...)  I just
wouldn't want to turn this employer into a major news presence.  

						...Mike
--
 Michael J. O'Connor                                 Internet: mjo@dojo.mi.org
 InterNIC WHOIS: MJO                                 http://www.coast.net/~mjo

"I'm a simple man with complex tastes, Hobbes."                        -Calvin