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Sun, or Linux 2.4.x As An NFS Server?

Posted by Cliff on from the this-gets-asked-every-time-a-new-kernel-comes-out dept.

Quixote asks: "Time was, that the only choice for a stable, interoperable NFS server was a Sun box. Now, things seem to be changing. Linux Kernel 2.4.2 is out, and with this come more choices. If I'm putting together a central NFS fileserver to serve a moderate amount of space (say 200GB) to a mainly Sun/Solaris clientele; should I go with a Sun box with a A1000 h/w RAID (at 3x-5x the cost of the other choice), or should I look at Linux with kernel 2.4.x + a journalling filesystem like ReiserFS/XFS/JFS, built on top of a dual-processor P-III with 2GB memory, a Mylex RAID controller and a Gbit NIC?" Are the issues which were raised in last discussion on NFS and Free OSes still a concern? Are there any Linux 2.4 NFS boxes out in production anywhere, and if so, how have they been holding up?

3 of 19 comments (clear)

  1. Linux NFS and comparing Apples to Apples... by trims · · Score: 3

    I actually have no problems with Linux NFS v3. Unfortunately, I'm not using one of the journaling FS (xfs/reiserf/ext3), and I have a couple of friends who have had problems with using the jFSes in combo with NFS3. I wouldn't consider it prime-time on Linux yet.

    I have no experience with *BSD and NFS3, so I can't comment there.

    A couple things to remember when looking at the hardware:

    • Are you comparing Apples to Apples? By this I mean that your Sun system is probably something like a Netra T1 AC200 and a A1000 array (which would list for about $20k together), but is your PC system equivalent? By that I mean it had better be compared to a IBM xSeries 230 w/ external drive cage or a Compaq DL380 and drive rack, not Joe Schmoe's Local Linux Special.
    • Have you factored in Support Costs? If you're a totally Sun shop, saving a couple of grand on a PC system isn't worth the extra hassle managing the vendor relationship for that one PC. If you're a mixed shop, I would only consider getting the PC from the company who makes the majority of your PC servers. Support is a big issue.
    • Compare warrantees. Assuming your doing a production environment, do all the hardware systems come with a warranty that means your exacting requirements? If not, can you get an uplifted warranty (and what does that cost?)
    • And lastly, what about your in-house expertise? Don't just think of yourself, because you might get sick / hit by a bus / quit and move to another job. The company needs to be able to competently manage the system for at least 3 years. Can they expect to do that with a reasonable turnover in the current employee base?

    Good luck. Honestly, I'd investigate the *BSD solution for now, but I'd keep in mind that the upfront costs of the Sun system may actually be smaller than the long-term costs of the PCs.

    -Erik

    --
    There are always four sides to every story: your side, their side, the truth, and what really happened.
  2. Reisefs + NFS by mbyte · · Score: 4

    They have still some troubles .. there's some patch on the reisefs homepage agains 2.4.2, that makes them work together nicely.

    If you want a stable NFS box, don't go for linux 2.4.2. (see above ! I bet there are more problems like this)

    don't get me wrong, 2.4.x NFS is quite nice, but its NEW, and UNTESTED ... so don't use it in your production enviroment !

  3. Look seriously at a BSD by gavcam · · Score: 3
    You should seriously look at one of the BSDs. We ran a pure BSD based ISP. Many machines, many NFS mounts, no problems.

    Highly recommended.