Buying Unix?

BarefootClown asks: "I'm currently the sysadmin for the University of Oklahoma Aviation Department. (I know the website looks horrible, it's being redesigned right now by somebody with talent.) Our systems here include two Intel-based servers, one running Windows 2000, one running Linux. The webserver is running on the Linux box. We need a new server, as the old one is about to die (I've lost two of the six hard drives, only one of the two processors is working, and it's just old--we got it second-hand). My boss has been very indulgent in letting me put Linux on a few boxes here, including the webserver, and a couple of web-only terminals (weather/flight planning stations), but he's expressed concern that, if I were to leave my job for some reason, having *nix machines would leave the department unsupported, and out of luck if problems were to occur. Our official departmental (one level up) support channel doesn't support Unix (he didn't support Windows 2000 until the end of last year...), though I might be able to talk to Campus support. This is all becoming a concern because I want to replace the dying box with a Sun NetraX1, which (obviously) doesn't even have the option of running Windows. Any suggestions on how I can convince my boss that it's worth doing? The price on that box is fabulous, at just a bit over a thousand (US) dollars out the door. The nearest PC/Linux box from Dell is about $1400. It seems to me that I know enough *nix people on campus who are looking for jobs that he wouldn't have trouble finding support if I were to leave. How do I convince him that Unix isn't that big of a risk?"

Comments

Webserver

[zangdesign]

For less than half the cost of that Sun POS, you can build a box that will handle quite a load if you build it from generic parts.

Check out Pricewatch (or just about any smaller out-of-state supplier) and you'll find much lower prices on equipment.

Second, download one of the many distro's out there - They're free and most of them include an option for building just a webserver.

Third, firewall the living hell out of that box (except the necessary ports) and turn it loose. Should only take a weekend to put the thing together and get it running.

The security might take a bit longer, but there's about a metric ton of stuff out there to help you configure a decently working firewall.

I wouldn't waste state money on Sun equipment and warranties, since most machines don't fail inside the warranty period (personally, I would buy from Sun on principle, but that's another matter).