Linux is cheap paradigm was Re: [plug] SATA & Debian

[Scott Middleton]

Further to what Craig was saying:

One of the ideas i continually fight is the idea that Linux is cheap.
Just because Linux doesn't require the same hardware requirements as
other OS's doesn't mean you should skint(?) and choose the cheapest.

As Linux professionals we should try to provide Linux with an ideal
environment as is possible. We don't just sell Linux as cheaper, we sell
it as being better, more reliable and more suited to the clients needs.
Therefore we don't pick the cheapest parts.

While i hate to say it some of the M$ servers i see are more reliable
than the Linux servers clients get me in to fix. This is because people
have sold Linux to them as being more reliable on buggy(cheap)
hardware.  Linux *can* work around a lot of buggy hardware but why
should it, when the software is at least cheaper if not free. Don't
undersell Linux!

We are not in the world of the Pentium 166 anymore. I loved the under
200Mhz Pentiums, we could put them in an oven and they would still
perform. We live in Gigabit LANs and hyperthreading CPUs and Linux does
need more than 16MB RAM to get performance.

So please to guys/gals selling Linux; Help Linux. Don't do it cheap do
it right!


 
On Wed, 2004-01-14 at 19:10, Craig Ringer wrote:
> Scott Middleton wrote:
> > Another consideration that i feel is important is the case. Depending on
> > the environment the case is the next most important factor. A good case
> > with good air-flow really does increase the life expectancy of the
> > server. Lately we have been using Lian LI cases with 420W power supplies
> > so far the heat results have been good. Simply put a HDD will last
> > longer if they are kept cool.
> 
> I can't agree with that enough. I've had drive failures and short 
> lifetimes from inadequate cooling; it _is_ a problem. (note: that was 
> _not_ the problem with the series of dying WD1200JBs I encountered last 
> year). As a result, our dual Xeon sounds like a jet engine and has a 
> truly apalling air flow. It's a 5U railmount case with the drives 
> arranged vertically across the front of the case in 5 1/4" mounting 
> brackets. Air flows straight over them as it enters the machine, and as 
> a result the drives are cool to the touch. I run them outside the system 
> (as I did for testing) they get very toasty indeed. I can't read the 
> temp sensors as the 3ware card doesn't support SMART passthrough or 
> detailed SMART reporting :-(  but the difference is very significant.
> 
> If you stack two or more drives right beside each other in 3 1/2" bays 
> with poor airflow, you will see shorter lifetimes and higher failure 
> rates. I've had drives develop bad sectors and/or die due to heat - it 
> is a real issue. I shudder to think what it must be like trying to keep 
> an array of Seagate Cheetah X15s (15000rpm drives) cool.
> 
> Lian Li cases are pretty good - I use their fulltower for my home PC - 
> but they definitely aren't cheap. As I work with a rack at work I don't 
> really have any experience with other tower cases.
> 
> I think a good power supply is also important. As well as improving the 
> stability and life of your board and drives, a good PSU is more likely 
> to survive nasty power events. As it sounds like you won't be running 
> off a UPS, this matters.
> 
> Again, though - I'd suggest getting a solid, basic system with quality 
> parts above one that's fast but "cheap".
> 
> Craig Ringer
> 
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