Topic: kernel

[Faisal]

I think the next version 5 should include the newer kernel and to have really gui interface for setting up and configuration. Also (better) dual-booting facility which supports very large large disks such as 20 Gb.

Also, if it is possible to install software using Redhat's RPMs file formats.

[Charlie Brady]

Faisal wrote:

> I think the next version 5 should include the newer kernel

The e-smith server already includes the 2.2.16 kernel which is the most recent stable kernel released by Linus Torvalds.

> and to have really gui interface for setting up and configuration.

The text mode GUI is the safest choice for the reliable support of the greatest range of hardware. And it does the job adequately. At the moment we don't consider the benefits of a graphics installer justify the effort that it would divert from other development tasks.

> Also (better) dual-booting facility which supports very large
> large disks such as 20 Gb.

We currently do not support dual-booting at all, and don't see any reason to. Our software is for dedicated servers only. We are not aware of any deficiencies with 20Gb disks. If you know of such problems, please report them to bugs@e-smith.com.

> Also, if it is possible to install software using Redhat's RPMs
> file formats.

It is currently possible to install software as RPMs. Please see http://www.e-smith.com/  and http://www.e-smith.org/ for full product documentation.

Thanks you for your comments.

Charlie

[Tom Docking]

IMAO, the text based console is very, very adequate.

Having a GUI is a complete waste of space and energy, as the E-smith box was designed to "set and forget" in some back corner office, away from human intervention.

Why waste CPU cycles on something that nobody will see? Sounds a bit like a Zen question, doesn't it?

"If an e-smith server displayed a GUI and there was nobody to see, would it be graphical?"

As it stands now, being all text console, I have e-smith set up on low spec pentiums and 486s and they adequately serve an entire office, even though they are much lower than the "recommended requirements."


Just my 2c worth.

Cheers,

Doc

[tim]

I also agree, most of the e-smiths that I have deployed don't eve have a monitor or keyboard once they are setup. They hang fro the wall in a the phone closet or somesuch.

My own, at home has a monitor and keyboard and I do a bit of hacking on it etc. and also 1 at work. Sometimes I think it would be nice to see a list of the print que or the load average. but when I do look it is always so low that I wonder why was I worried about it.  I seen a project on sorceforge that puts some of this type of information on a cheap serial led panel, that would be enough information for me.

[Paul Miller]

I agree that the e-smith 'whiptail' console approach for installation is much better than an X-window approach. It requires so few resources that it expands the number of existing systems availble for re-use. Interestingly, I was able to install e-smith on a Dell pentium 90 system and move the disk to an off-brand 486 system and it seems to work just fine. Smaller is better!

As a former network admin I place a very high value on internal security.  The biggest threat to server reliability in my experience is internal employees (including network admins that are learning something new) that have a mission to impress others rather than just get the job done.  I expect there are more undisciplined environments out there than not.

With e-smith you can limit access to those who care enough to learn how the servers work and who are specifically authorized.  There will always be those folks whose ambitions overshadow their ability. The console approach e-smith created allows you to reduce the security threat from these 'expert' users by reducing the target for hacks. This, in my opinion is a major step forward for business users!

At the same time, any user (authorized or not) who wants to play with the e-smith system and do experiments can do so on a box not being used as a company server because he/she will set the password on installation.  The information needed to modify e-smith is all available free through e-smith.org!  I call this having your cake and eating it too!