discuss: Production use distribution? ---Re: [olug] Linux sysadmin position

[Brian Wiese]

On Sat, 11 Jan 2003 21:37:12 -0600 (CST)
"IrishMASMS" <IrishMASMS at olug.org> wrote:

|FYI: http://www.danga.com/jobs/sysadmin.txt
|
...
"-- linux (debian, redhat)"
...
"15 database servers (MySQL, mix of RedHat and Debian)"
...
"20+ web servers (Debian (mostly netbooting), mod_perl and/or
 apache+mod_proxy+lingerd)"

I must say, I was a bit impressed to them use Debian as well as Redhat for
their main production GNU/Linux distros.  I guess I'm just somewhat
suprised to see Debian in use because it's not a commercial distribution
like Redhat, SuSE, Mandrake, etc... but then again neither is FreeBSD
correct? - and it's been very popular in production environments for many
years, including running Hotmail[1] in the past (before Micro$oft took
over).

Though I know that in different parts of the world, different
distributions of GNU/Linux are more popular (SuSE and Mandrake in Europe,
YellowDog and  TurboLinux in Africa/Asia -- read an article about this
once) and Redhat is the most popular in the U.S.  (and world now - even
though SuSE was AFAIR?)  --- I think it ultimately comes to a decision by
the administrator of which distro to use, they'll be the ones that use
it... and we talked about this at the installfest as well (Linux gives you
choices).

My question:  What are your opinions and preferences on a GNU/Linux
distribution for use in a production environment and why?  Would you
recommend a specific distro for a business?

To me it just seems most companies see GNU/Linux and think "Redhat"  (ohhh
it gets me when people say they run Linux 7.3!!!) and thats it, thats the
decision, thats what distro they will use - simply because its popular? 
Others have more insight and just prefer one that better meets their
needs/experience/preference perhaps, and what a unified distribution in
use.  As for continuity... I feel a GNU/Linux sysadmin should 'know' how
to configure/admin a GNU/Linux system - not just a Redhat, Mandrake or
Debian one... and definately that any distro could be customized just as
well to meet a specific need.

So, what are the arguments for choosing a production/business GNU/Linux
distro.... besides system administrator preference?  (of which is more
manageable/easier to use?)  Some preferences:  
- ease of use, administration, management, control over system
- package management preference
- default install/customization of system

Business perspective: 
== Redhat 
+ commercial support available 
+ 3rd party consultants available
+ large user base 
+ security patches released quickly for packages
+ default support for some special commercial software?
(Some software may say, requires Redhat 7.3 or better? lol)

== Debian
+/- not dependant on a company, but rather community for support
+ 3rd party consultants available
+ large user base
+ security patches released quickly for packages

== Others?

In the end, I think I'm still biased for Debian since I use it and enjoy
it, and find it easily configurable enough for any task/environment. (and
some philosophical reasons as well)

[1] http://www.securityoffice.net/mssecrets/hotmail.html#_Toc491601819
------------
"Experience in the past has shown us that most programmer + sysadmins
prefer to just program.  So, we're looking for somebody that perhaps
knows how to program, but doesn't necessarily enjoy it.  :)"
....
haha! sounds like me!  (I should learn to program more though)


  Brian Wiese | bwiese at cotse.com | aim: unolinuxguru
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