Topic: Would you fund development of an x86_64 SME Server 7.0?

[achandra]

The answer YES!

The main reason is that with AMD 64 operating systems permiating environments and duo-core architetures the answer is yes-  but of course.

In all truth the centos 4.3 64 bit version works awesome and the sme-server version doesnt seem like it should be mind bending activity at all.

In addition there are other email packages such as zimbra which have started such projects already.

To stay with/ahead of the curve this project is a must.

[dscarbrough]

I agree with the gentleman OEM PC seller.  Just upgraded to SME7 and I had a heck of a time finding the appropriate board and CPU.  The local reseller actually looked at me funny (don't blame him) when I asked if they had something less up to date - like a Pentium 4 or AthlonXP.  They had NOTHING but 64-bit CPUs.

It is not a question of whether a version of SME should be ported to 64bit.  It is a necessity.  I'll pitch in what I can, but IMHO any and all future versions of SME should be 64-bit optimized.  Period.  Dump the 32, yo.

Cheers,
Dave Scarbrough
Sample Accurate
scarbroughaffair.com

[CharlieBrady]

Just upgraded to SME7 and I had a heck of a time finding the appropriate board and CPU.  The local reseller actually looked at me funny (don't blame him) when I asked if they had something less up to date - like a Pentium 4 or AthlonXP.  They had NOTHING but 64-bit CPUs.

SME7 works fine with 64bit CPUs. It just doesn't run 64bit versions of software, but I doubt that makes any practical difference.

[CharlieBrady]

We are a reseller and OEM of computers and servers.  Not a big one, but representative I suspect.  Virtually every machine, desktop and server alike, that we have sold in the last year is 64-bit.  We sell mostly AMD-based workstations, but even the Intel-based machines are 64-bit too.

I suspect that most of those will run SME7 just fine. If not, please report via the Bug Tracker.

[Snoopyski]

Hello friends,

I vote for 64 Bits !!! Ready to spend about 100 to 500 $ !!!

This is in the world of IT comming in the next years  

Thanks,

Snoopyski

[gordonr]

I would like to gauge the interest in an x86_64 version of SME Server 7.0

I'd like to thank everyone who offered to fund this development. However, the response hasn't been strong enough to justify the development effort and ongoing maintenance load involved at this stage.

I'm still interested in this as a future project, so if you are seriously interested in funding it, please contact me outside the forums.

Thanks,

Gordon

[stuartb]

Hi guys,

After reading the various posts on this... I believe that it is best to concentrate on the core reasons why SME server is so great for small rollouts... and that revolves around its ease of deployment/features.  We are deploying this set up on new hardware to a number of clients, and from installation/configure to deployment in less than an hour or two, its fantastic.

My point is that this product has targeted the small to medium enterprise, and concentrating on key functionality improvements rather than highend 64 bit functionality is crucial. (As it still runs on 64bit CPU's)

After all this isnt supposed to compete with rh enterprise 64bit and so on...

I have just signed up on this forum and would like to thank the developers for creating such a user friendly linux distro. (And I thought Ubuntu was easy   )

[p-jones]

Right now, pfloor is collecting donations from members to get at least one key person involved in the SME development team from Australia to Utah.

This is a great opportunity for evey single person who has ever used SME in a commercial, non commercial or home enviroment to contribute SOMETHING back to the costs of development and future upgrades. If that happened, then there would be a reasonable surplus which could be used to fund the development of an x64K bit version.

[imatt]

I have just got a new 64bit Intel Core 2 Duo and would love to use it as a SME server to replace an older P4 I am currently using SME 7.0 on so would like to see a 64 bit release.

Does anyone know if the current SME 7.1 will boot and install OK on X86 64?

I am prepared to wait for the release if the funding is not available to push it along quicker. I would also be willing to install SME 7.1 as it currently stands if I know it will work OK on this hardware.