Chrysler Adopts Linux For Vehicle Simulations
eMilkshake writes "According to this ComputerWorld article, Chrysler is adopting Linux for vehicle crash testing. According to the article, 'the new system is expected to improve simulation performance by 20%, while saving about 40% in costs....'" Insert knee-jerk reaction joke about computers and crashing here.
And how precisely are they going to save money ? And save money relative to what ? The old system ? (I kind of doubt it) The same hardware system with a proprietay OS ? Maintenance costs ?
This article has all the characteristics of a "negative" FUD.
The Raven.
The Raven
It says the Linux solution saves 40% over the prior Unix solution, but it doesn't say what the prior solution is. Are the savings here really coming from using Linux, or just from using cheap commodity hardware clustered together?
For a cheap "compute farm" cluster, you can't beat Red Hat Advanced Server with Xenon's.
Sure you can, how about redhat iso's running on Athlon MP's (or soon Opterons). Free software on better price/performance hardware.
There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
Ok, you win.. that beats it :)
However, I try to throw some cash Red Hat's way every now and then so they keep making distros.
Assume your cluster costs $50,000 to build (including the Giga-bit ethernet gear), you are only going to pay $l000 or less for the O/S.
That's a great deal and a half. Also, that paultry $1,000 investment keeps you in patches plus, gets your a year of email install/configuration tech support.
But, your solution is definately cheaper !