[geeks] Dell T105 server arrives

[Lionel Peterson]

>From: Shannon Hendrix <shannon at widomaker.com>
>Date: 2008/04/02 Wed AM 10:19:38 CDT
>To: The Geeks List <geeks at sunhelp.org>
>Subject: Re: [geeks] Dell T105 server arrives

>On Apr 2, 2008, at 08:08 , Lionel Peterson wrote:

<snip of preferences, not really problems>

>> Windows Vista has the right approach, IMHO - they simply lay down a  
>> complete system image, then delete unneded files once they are on  
>> the drive, rather than pick and choose individual files from the  
>> drive...
>
>I prefer the UNIX approach done right myself.  I don't want to wait  
>for the full image to install and then delete things.
>
>NetBSD has the right idea: a small base system that installs in no  
>time, and crystal clarity when adding the packages you need.

Take a look at Ubuntu Server JeOS - "Just enough OS" - it is an under 200 Meg server image that is text-only, and you add the parts you need. Unfortunately, it is designed to run in VMware (and some other virtual environments), not real hardware.

I like the Vista install method because 80%+ of each install is the same as every other install, why act like they are unique. Sounds like NetBSD (your stated preference) does the same thing, but with a smaller working set. Ideally, given large neough media, you can have multiple starting images on one DVD (or a base and three or four "diffs" or "deltas" of additional components). 

My point (and my preference) was to install en masse, not piecemeal like so many large software projects do...

>> I found no specific reference to the T105 on the Sun website, and no  
>> mention of Solaris support on the Dell site for the T105...
>
>Sun's website lists all of the parts as supported.
>
>Dell told me, on the phone, that the T105 is supported, and a Solaris  
>banner was on the page when I ordered.
>
>Turns out it is supported, you just have to do some digging to get  
>what you need.

I would have a different definition of supported - I didn't see any downloadable drivers, install instructions, or formal mention on the Dell web site for this server.

I've never seen a Solaris banner ont he Dell web site (but do not doubt you did) - interesting.

>Only the ethernet controller is a problem, and the version 8 driver is  
>compatible except for permissions changes on some directories.  When  
>you install just say no to implementing those changes and it works fine.

Have you tried the driver I mentioned from the Broadcom website? They list it as the driver for NetXtreme Ethernet chips for Solaris and was released in late 2007... I plan to try it later, but I'm curious of your successes (or lack thereof).

I plan to try Ubuntu Server x64, Solaris and Windows Server 2008 on my machine before I finalize it. I may go crazy and put a virtualization "core" on the server and run various OSs virtually.

This will (likely) be my "office" VM box (distinct from my "data center" VM server, the 8 core server I got a few months ago).

Related question: Does Solaris have a capability to include/load drivers during install for anything other than storage? It's not been an issue for me before, but in Windows Server 2008 I think I can make drivers available by putting them on a USB stick in a directory called something like "/DRIVERS"...

Lionel