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OpenBSD 3.3 Released
An anonymous reader writes "OpenBSD 3.3 was released today, with many new features, including integration of the ProPolice stack protection technology, W^X ('write xor X') on sparc, alpha and hppa, privilege separated XFree86 and an incredible number of enhancements and stability improvements to the packet filter, pf, including address pools for reverse NAT/load balancing, ALTQ integration for network conditioning, and anchors/tables/spamd for spam tar-pitting. Information on the release can be found here and download sites are listed here. (Also, here's a handy way to speed up your DSL connection - prioritizing empty TCP ACKs and ToS low-delay traffic with OpenBSD 3.3's pf.)"
I've been using Freebsd on my servers as of fairly recently and so far I love it. As a result, my intrest in BSD in general has grown. I was looking just today at OpenBSD and NetBSD features. OpenBSD looks fantasic and I was about to give it a whirl when I realized they don't support SMP. Now this wouldn't be an overly huge issue if it were primarily a desktop OS. I applaude all the work that has obviously gone into this project. But I will be overjoyed the day I see SMP added to the new feature list. This is NOT a troll. I think the way it stands is extremely impressive. I just want to express my sincere desire to see SMP support. =)
OpenBSD, while a capable desktop, isn't primarily intended as such. It's strengths are in the realm of the firewall, gateway - the commandline leftover Pentium 200 that makes a nice mailserver. It's focus as security, and security demands a 'disabled by default' approach.
There isn't much there to begin with when compared to FreeBSD or Linux because of this philosophy. While it's not exactly politically correct to say so within the OBSD community, it's sort of an accepted truism that 'less is more', and you're better serviced by one of the former two OSes if you're for ease of use and a desktop OS. GUIs and user friendliness = reams of unaudited code = lots of bugs. That said, the GOBIE project IS looking to overhaul the OpenBSD setup process, at least, so hopefully things will be easier for everybody in the future.
Personally, I came to OpenBSD three years ago after having used RedHat for only six months and having gotten my box owned *HARD* - while it took a bit to figure everything out for a relative *nix newb, I can vouch that the payoff is worth it if you're willing to invest the time into making sure you never get owned again (not that there are any 100% guarantees with any software).
--Ryv
I dont think it's a matter of whats easier, but what fits your need, and what you're used to. I prefer OpenBSD to any other OS. Configuration is a snap, easier for me than any other OS.
/etc/rc.conf and pkg_add, IMO it can't get any easier. I get lost in the myriad of configuration files present in current Linux distributions.
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Also, the source where you will get information on OpenBSD (for example, setting up X) is VERY different from what you'd expect for Linux.
Namely, OpenBSD has EXCELLENT manual pages. Also, the online documentation is very helpful for new users, as it clearly explains the basics of the system, and where to start if you're unfamiliar with it.
Damn, that business with the prioritizing ACKs sounds fantastic! I have the same setup as in their example (ADSL 512Kb down/128Kb up) and always have to put upload limits on filesharing programs so they only upload at maybe 11KB or 12KB per second, 'cos if I let them hit their full 16-ish KB/sec, the downloads choke and die.
I might have to salvage some crappy old box from work and see if I can't set it up as an OpenBSD gateway..