Very Computer

Anyone using Linux with Dell's PowerEdge 2450?
I'm considering on buying one and would love to get opinions from others
using it:
- Stability
- Use and management
- Raid - (any problems)
etc.

Thx. Eric

I've used serveral and would not reccomend them .... because:

1. Dell RAID

They have closed source drivers that not only require their own install
disks (you can get the images off thier site), but they do not release
new drivers when required.

When I installed one box it took me a few hours to sort this out, and
when finally I had done and came accross and other issue I rang Dell
support they were quite supprised I managed it.

When the 2.2.16 kernel bug cam out I was unable to upgrade for some
time, due to their not releasing a new kernel + drivers.

Also they appear to use a custom proccess - called AB that appears on
boot - and this has no documentation what so ever - I thought the
machine had been hacked - untill I checkout another one.

All in all Dell's closed source RAID drivers have cost me collectively
over a day of time.

2. Dell Support

I live in the UK and trying to get an answer is like talking to a brick
wall - noone will accept responsibility here  for Linux and find the
answer, even thou all they have to do is call Austin, Texas ...

3. Prices

You can cheaper, better boxes from VaLinux and PenguinComputing - not
used either so this is not an endo*t, but they use standard bits
from which you can get open source drivers.  Plus thier support and
Customer service is apparently excellent.

I also have issues with Dell's delivery and Finance departments - but
these are OT.

Apart from all that the boxes are excellent - I've admined 5 over the
past 18 months (4 of them 2450's for 12 months, one a 6450) and they
have been fine.

Greg Cope

I've used serveral and would not reccomend them .... because:

1. Dell RAID

They have closed source drivers that not only require their own install
disks (you can get the images off thier site), but they do not release
new drivers when required.

When I installed one box it took me a few hours to sort this out, and
when finally I had done and came accross and other issue I rang Dell
support they were quite supprised I managed it.

When the 2.2.16 kernel bug cam out I was unable to upgrade for some
time, due to their not releasing a new kernel + drivers.

Also they appear to use a custom proccess - called AB that appears on
boot - and this has no documentation what so ever - I thought the
machine had been hacked - untill I checkout another one.

All in all Dell's closed source RAID drivers have cost me collectively
over a day of time.

2. Dell Support

I live in the UK and trying to get an answer is like talking to a brick
wall - noone will accept responsibility here  for Linux and find the
answer, even thou all they have to do is call Austin, Texas ...

3. Prices

You can cheaper, better boxes from VaLinux and PenguinComputing - not
used either so this is not an endo*t, but they use standard bits
from which you can get open source drivers.  Plus thier support and
Customer service is apparently excellent.

I also have issues with Dell's delivery and Finance departments - but
these are OT.

Apart from all that the boxes are excellent - I've admined 5 over the
past 18 months (4 of them 2450's for 12 months, one a 6450) and they
have been fine.

Greg Cope