Date: Mon, 13 Jul 1998 16:25:20 -0400 (EDT) From: "B. Richardson" <rabtter@aye.net> To: Jeremy Domingue <jer@hughes.net> Cc: questions@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: Disgruntled Linux User... questions about FreeBSD Message-ID: <Pine.SGI.3.95.980713154653.1178A-100000@orion.aye.net> In-Reply-To: <009501bdae88$70e84f20$6e2f87d0@ws-47-110.selectaswitch.com>
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Here's my two cents worth. Linux is a very innovative OS with liberal code inclusion policies. FreeBSD on the other hand is very controlled. FreeBSD is very mature, I am certain that some of the core code has 15+ years of polish on it. Linux is a paradise for tinkerers (well FreeBSD it too) with various levels of support for a wide range of hardware. FreeBSD has a more polished set of drivers for a smaller range of hardware. Linux had multi-processer and big memory support not long after successful tests were. If you look back thru the mailing list archives at www.freebsd.org you will find messages with the core developers helping indivuals tweaking their kernel to effectively use more than 256mb of ram more than 18 months ago, while it was only recently (2.2.6 I think) that FreeBSD could support more than 256 megs of ram out of the box. Same for SMP. Successful tests have been going for a good long while, but as of yet an official release on CD is yet to be had. The reason why is the core developers of FreeBSD are meticulous, they are careful, their standards are high which is evident in the OS. So here's the jest. If I want to play, I use Linux or FreeBSD. If I want to work, I use the old reliable workhorse, FreeBSD. Take a look at wcarchive. The most heavily loaded ftp server on the planet, and its running FreeBSD. -- B. Richardson rabtter@orion.aye.net On Mon, 13 Jul 1998, Jeremy Domingue wrote: > Hey all... > > First of all, parts of this message may sound like Linux bashing to some > people... that's not my intent, so if I come across that way I apoligize. > Also, this message is going to be pretty long... please bear with me. > > I started using Linux (RedHat) a year ago. At first, I had a lot of problems > but I assumed that was simply because I was very unexperienced and had to go > through the normal learning curve that everyone does. About 8 months ago, I > got myself a brand new Gateway (ALR) Pentium II 266 server, and needless to > say I was completely excited. I thought that with this new hardware linux > was going to completely ROCK and fix some of the problems I was having with > my previous (clone) server. Obviously, since I am here now, it did not. > > Ever since I first installed Linux a year ago I have been going back and > forth from bug to bug, problem to problem, in a never ending battle of > trying to get my server to stay up any more than a week. I have been told > everything from "your hardware is bad" to "wait for the next version" to > "that's not supported" to "there are bugs in that code and someone needs to > fix it". Frankly, I am SICK of hearing this again and again! If I had some > piece of crap clone hardware, I could probably understand some of the issues > I have been having, but this is name brand (what I thought to be) quality > hardware! I have replaced almost every piece of hardware in that server > under the assumption it was bad and it has not helped one bit. > > When I started out with my new Gateway server, it was just a plain Pentium > II 266 w/ 128mb of RAM. After googles of crashes, I thought, well, maybe it > just isn't enough server for the load. So, I proceeded to get a second PII > processor and upgraded to 512mb of RAM. More crashes, different errors, the > story of my life with Linux. I have tried the latest release and development > kernels, just about every patch I can find, and nothing works with it. It is > the most unstable computer I have ever used in my entrie life... and I run > an NT box as well (pretty sad the NT box stays up for months on end and I > can't even keep the linux box running a week). > > So, at this point, I am looking for a fresh start, something that will allow > the server to actually run a week or more without crashing. > > Finally, to my questions about FreeBSD: > > 1) First and foremost, I am wondering what issues I will face being a user > very accustomed to linux. I know there will be differences between linux and > FreeBSD, but can anyone outline some of the major ones? > > 2) Is there a way I can install FreeBSD without losing all of the stuff on > the server right now such as user files, web pages, programs, etc? And > possibly keep linux on there somewhere in case I ever decide to go back? > > 3) Is anyone using SMP on FreeBSD with an Adaptec 7880 on-board SCSI > controller? Linux people keep telling me that this is not a good > configuration for Linux... how about for FreeBSD? > > 4) I know that the current build of FreeBSD is listed as development and > should not be used in a mission critical environment, however, what are > people's experiences with it so far? If it seems to be fairly stable, I > would be willing to give it a shot... I really need the SMP support. > > 5) Are there any other problems or issues I may face with my hardware > configuration (listed below)? > > I would also be very interested in hearing from other previous (or current) > Linux users' experiences with FreeBSD, and what comments they may have about > the differences and advantages (especially stability-wise) to using FreeBSD > instead of Linux. > > Any input would be greatly appreciated.... > > Only 24 hours till the next Linux crash... woo hoo! > > TIA, > > Jeremy Domingue > jer@hughes.net > > Hardware Configuration: > > Gateway (formerly ALR) NS-7000 Server > Dual PII 266mhz > 512mb EDO ECC SDRAM (all from the same lot, same manufacturer) > Adaptec 7880 on-board SCSI controller > 3Com 10/100 Ethernet Card > 2-4.1gb IBM SCSI hard drives > > > To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org > with "unsubscribe freebsd-stable" in the body of the message > To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message
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