From: "Brian" <br...@subdude.com> Subject: Microsoft client opts for Linux... Date: Fri, 26 Jul 2002 15:59:52 -0700 Lines: 67 X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4807.1700 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.50.4807.1700 Message-ID: <u#46HgPNCHA.1408@tkmsftngp12> Newsgroups: microsoft.public.msn.discussion NNTP-Posting-Host: 24.79.106.253 Path: archiver1.google.com!news1.google.com!sn-xit-02!sn-xit-01!sn-xit-04! supernews.com!news.maxwell.syr.edu!colt.net!kibo.news.demon.net!demon! newsfeed00.sul.t-online.de!t-online.de!tkmsftngp01!tkmsftngp12 Xref: archiver1.google.com microsoft.public.msn.discussion:57713 Hello Dear Friends: Just finished stage one of a Linux upgrade to a traditional Microsoft house here in Vancouver. My new client has been a MS-only house since the 80's - total ~60 desktops and 14 server boxes. Apparently there is tension between client and local Microsloth providers. Recently had Microsloth drone come in to evaluate upgrading 8 Dell 200MHz 64Meg Pentium Pro file servers running NT4 to latest Microsloth specs. In house Microsloth IT guys were complaining about hardware getting dated and unreliable - lots of reboots etc. Well estimate came in just under $60,000 for all new Dell hardware, 10 Winblows 2000 server licenses, extra seat licenses, installation blah blah blah... Plus factor in the annual maintenance (assurance) contracts blah blah blah... Client asked me to review and make estimate for equal Linux utility. 8^) I promised instant results for less than 10% Microsloth quote with small hardware supplement. Installed Slackware 8.1 on four of the Dells, installed all existing scsi HD's and memory into the Linux Dells plus two new IBM 80 gig HDs, 8 new 10/100 NICs (LinkSys), a new 16 port 10/100 switch (LinkSys) some fresh CAT5 cables and was up and serving in less than 6 hours. Oh, I removed the keyboards, mice, cd drives and monitors from the Linux Dells. Also disconnected the "reset" and "power" switches on Linux Dells to prevent the Microsloth IT guys from performing "Microsoft maintenance" - rebooting to solve a problem. Longest time was installing the two 80 gig HDs (for backup), changing filesystem to Linux ext3 and moving files around. Spent part of today getting all the accounts, permissions, file management, networking, routing set up, tuned and purring FROM MY OFFICE. 8^) Will be looking at replacing exhausted Exchange server next month for same client - will replace with sendmail and imapd mail storage (all mail for organization will be stored securely on central server) - some Microsloth desktops have been loosing their email apparently. The client is absolutely ecstatic because cost of upgrade to Linux is minimal (7% of Microsloth estimate) and existing expensive hardware still has another year or two of useful life! Further, have agreed to provide a mini education campaign for IT guys to bring them up to speed - I know for a fact one guy isn't going to cooperate but the other two appear interested. I saved the best part for last! The four Linux Dell PPro 200MHz 128MByte fileservers now serve more data faster than the 8 Dells with Microsloth NT4! No wonder Microsoft is freaking out? 8^)) Best regards, Brian BSFH Linux Mystic