Migrating from BSD 3.1 to Linux? 8
Slain asks:
"I've searched the internet looking for information about
migrating from BSD to Linux. I have not found anything on
the subject. Is it something that is just not done? What
if you wanted to switch for cost reasons? Is it not done
because you are already running a flavor of UNIX so why
switch? I have a BSD box which is used as the primary
internet mail server for the company. It has about 700+
users and grows about 20+ a week. Why do we want to migrate?
The reason are as follows: newer hardware, user maintenance
and we want to reduce services to the users (eg. make them
POP only accounts). Anyone out there have any suggestions?
FreeBSD? (Score:2)
Keep it at BSD. Its good. (Score:1)
FreeBSD's TCP stack is more robust than Linux's, and it handles disk I/O well, making it ideal for things like mail servers. I havn't had any problems with lack of support for hardware, and like everyone else mentioned, it can run all kinds of apps.
As far as your want for POP3-only users go, I have a solution for you. First thing to do is install qmail [qmail.org]. Its more stable, more modular, more easily configurable, less crackable, and leaves a smaller footprint than sendmail. Then, follow these instructions [tibus.net] and set yourself up with enought POP accounts for all the users you could want.
Have fun.
--Ed Bardsley
Don't throw out the baby... (Score:1)
Naysayers will deny that, but I do know net shops that've moved from Linux to FreeBSD for more stability. I'll let the flamers and the benchmarkers decide that.
If you switch between Linux and [Free|Net|Open]BSD, you're more liable to forget, say, where those config files are supposed to be, and more likely to have to re-work all your pet sKr1p+Z that make things happy, at least to a greater degree. Add an order of magnitude onto your usual config-change/upgrade odd behaviors. Sticking in the *BSD family, with FreeBSD for instance, will save you at least a bit of heartache. You're also perhaps less likely to be that lucky guy who finds the rare but deadly bug in 2.2.297....
Either way, you'll just have to resist the temptation to get the VERY latest gadgets for your server -- like, oh, say, umm, an SiS 6326 video card! %^*$%@#$!!! *ahem*
Summary: 'Stick with the family, Vito'
Some Background (Score:1)
To swich from BSD to linux is a paradigm shift - not necessarly going from better to worse or worse to better. BSD is more stable, but is a different development from Linux and Unix system V.
First understand this before switching -- commands will seem similar, but there will be differences. One obvious differencing is BSD versus SYS V printing. Also, command flags are different and file locations are different.
I would guess there is realy too much differences to be able to do a "conversion" FAQ...
Moving from BSD 3.1 (Score:1)
..and another thing.. (Score:1)