Topic: Differences betwen SME 6.0.1, 6.5R1 and 7.0alpa14

[arne]

My main argument for using the sme server has been its almost extreme reliability and ease of use. Because of this I have not been to clecer about testing out the newest distributions.

Well, I just bought another testing HD and I thought I should make som testing at the newer versions 6.5R1 and 7.0 alpha 7.0 just now. (So they are just downloading.)

Is there any changes from version to versions that should be noted or looked for ?

Will it work like before exept for newer software revision or is there changes that makes it "work different" from a user or admin point of view. Would be intersted to know what to expect and look form if anybody has a tip  

Arne.

[arne]

Nobody that has tested 7.0 or 6.5 and that can say a few words about it ?

[mrjhb3]

Arne,

Do like the rest of us and install them and compare for yourself.  6.5 adds some re-branding to contribs.org, secure mail add-ons, https only to server-manager.  Some other under the cover things.  I found everything I had running under 6.0 ran fine under 6.5 without any changes.  One thing that does break in 6.5 is the ability to log all mail.  7.0 changes OS's to Centos 3.4 (RHEL 3)  IMO, this is a big change, but a change for the good.  Just about everything I have the runs under 6.5 will have to be re-worked for 7.0. 7.0 adds clamav, spamassassin, horde 3.0, some new proxy settings, and a whole bunch of other stuff.  Your best bet is to go to the wiki page and see what rpms are being included.  You will be pleasantly surprised with the progress.  I have had an issue with upgrading from 6.x to 7.0, but I haven't spent enough time to see if it's me or a bug.

GL,

JB

[arne]

Thanks for your info. It is my intention to check out the distros myself, but like planning to go somewhere yuo have't been before it's often a good idea to listen to someone who have been there, so you know what basically to look for.

By the way, I think I go for the 7.o Thanks a lof for your info

Arne.

[del]

Hi mrjhb3,
What problems did you have upgrading?
I am experiencing problems from 6 to 7 see my post here:
http://forums.contribs.org/index.php?topic=26762.msg113704#msg113704

Regards,
Del

[jfarschman]

Del,

  I wouldn't run 7.0alpha on a production machine.  It's just for testing at the moment.  The alpha16 actually breaks a redirect that makes the server-manager work... a problem that we did not have until this latest release.  This is because development is taking on one piece of a large task with each release.

  Every alpha release has some kind of problem.

  With that said, 7.0alpha is really cool.  It handles SATA drives, has samba 3.x and is generally better able to handle modern things like gigabit NICs.  This means speed.

  Having anti-virus and anti-spam built in is great... also... YUM is a cool addition as well.

  I spent a few hours with weekend working on it... pretty cool.

[del]

Hi Jay,
I was installing on a test machine, my current SME Server is on a old AMD K6 with a 20gig HDD and I want to build a new server to replace it. I don't want to build it and then find out that I can't upgrade to SME7 when it is ready for proper use. So I decided to try to upgrade from AJ Keanes custom ISO, the standard current SME6 and ran in to the same problem with both. Alpha 16 actually seems to upgrade but as you mentioned I can't log into server-manager or log on the server as admin, I can however log in as root. I have seen a workaround here and will probably try that next. I am now unsure what to install, custom 6, standard 6 (with updates) or 6.5RC1. Any how I will have to continue with my outdated hardware for a little longer.
Regards,
Del  

[gregswallow]

I am now unsure what to install, custom 6, standard 6 (with updates) or 6.5RC1.

Stick with 6.0.1 without any contribs/updates installed - It is secure without any updates.  That is your best bet for a production server at the moment.  When 7.0 is final, the upgrade path will definitly be tested from an unmodified 6.0.1 server.

[djhomeless]

Does anyone know of any tenative release dates for 6.5 and 7?

Geoffrey

[del]

Thanks Greg, that's what I thought, the only contribs I really use are Steven Nobles Multi-Pop, Darrell May's backup2ws and and Anti-Virus. What do you suggest I do about the AV? I have used Knuddi's and Steven Nobles in the past. The first 2 contribs actually seem to work on SME7 (I installed them on a fresh install of SME7 on my test server). One last thing, are you sure that the security is OK without any updates? Thanks for your time and trouble.  

Del

[gregswallow]

Thanks Greg, that's what I thought, the only contribs I really use are Steven Nobles Multi-Pop, Darrell May's backup2ws and and Anti-Virus. What do you suggest I do about the AV? I have used Knuddi's and Steven Nobles in the past. The first 2 contribs actually seem to work on SME7 (I installed them on a fresh install of SME7 on my test server). One last thing, are you sure that the security is OK without any updates?

There is a SME7 version of Backup2ws in Darrell's contrib directory.  Not sure what changed.  I don't know about multipop, but I would uninstall it as well before any upgrade.  Whichever antivirus you use I would uninstall it before an upgrade to SME7 as well, as it is included with 7.  The point im trying to make is that although there are lots of good contribs for 6.x, upgrades to 7.0 will probably only be tested to work 100% from an unmodified SME6 server.

As for security, SME6 is very safe in the default setup.  Use good passwords and only enable what you absolutely need for external access.