Topic: How to justify using SME server among other free software distributions?

[pfloor]

[...] I don't think this ever works with Windows.

Never has, never will

[BartManInNZ]

Never has, never will

It does now under vmware 

[zatnikatel]

You can compare published system requirements:

For SME: http://wiki.contribs.org/SME_Server:Documentation:Administration_Manual:Chapter4#4.1._Minimum_Hardware_Requirements

Minimum (I would not recommend this):
400 MHz Processor
256 Meg Ram

Recommended:
1.5 GHz Processor
512 Meg Ram

For Exchange-2007 on *Server-2008x64: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa996719.aspx
(*Note: Full version Exchange 2007 will not run on 32 bit OS)

Minimum:
64 bit Processor
2 Gig Ram


If you need/want all the little things that only Exchange does then you really have no choice but remember to dig deep (really deep) into the bosses wallet

you are not wrong MS stuff is a memory hog the more ram you though at it will just keep useing it
scalix is not a bad exchange replacement but i wish it used postfix and not sendmail

[yersin]

You can compare published system requirements:

So, is there a direct relationship between system requirements and performance? I'd appreciate it if comparisons are made with IIS too, since I'm mainly using SME Server as a web server.
Thanks.

[zatnikatel]

So, is there a direct relationship between system requirements and performance? I'd appreciate it if comparisons are made with IIS too, since I'm mainly using SME Server as a web server.
Thanks.

apache is about 80% IIS is a lot less

[the-heck]

SME vs M$ -- very easy decision on the part of investors

SME vs other Distros - three words: easy, simple, effective

Stability - Linux have proven that a long way back. However, point of view of investors will change when discussing warranty and support.  Mission-critical business aspect, in large scale, is a different story.

Why? - because millions of minds can never be wrong

[zatnikatel]

Also point out Linux is Unix and Unix has been around since the 1960's and support wise there is novel redhat and most people don't think of this distros but mandriva has support as well and they are much cheaper than redhat
SME need some sort of support setup and it would go like hot cakes

[Smitro]

My 2c, for what it's worth.

I run SME from home as an after hours job that I can make a little bit of money here and there. I run several websites on it for people, and run mail and a couple of other small services. It just runs and runs.. I once had an uptime of 282days, until I learnt about the problems that you can have if you don't keep your system up to date with security patches. Now I update when there is updates waiting.

My day job sees me working with several M$ Server 2003 boxes. I think the major differences I see is:
- The cost, we have to pay for most software. We haven't even gone with Exchange because of its cost.
- SME is so much easier to administer. Through the Server Manager you can do most things. We can spend a fair while on a M$ box trying to find where they put stuff.
- It's also easier having less options in your face. On a M$ box to setup another website can take a fair amount of work, ticking and un ticking boxes. Then lining up IP addresses so they can be seen on the outside world getting the DNS right etc.

I have setup an SME box at a school I help out with. The reason I went with SME was firstly because they didn't have the money for Server 2003, secondly, they wouldn't know how to operate Server 2003, and they don't have an onsite tech. SME can be administered by any tech savy person that knows how to use a website.

Why I chose SME over Distros - I've used others, and there is nothing I've seen that out of the box, just works with as many options etc as SME. Esspecially the mail server, I've never seen a mail server so easy to get up and running.

Cons - You can't run several SME boxes at once all using the same DB for user and group information. If I was to use this on a bigger scale I'd like to be able to run a couple of login servers over a campus. Also the option of separating a couple of services onto different boxes like Web, Proxy, and Mail. But in saying this. If the box is powerful enough (no some old piece of resurrected scrap) it will handle all these services on one box no worries.

[raem]

Smitro

You can't run several SME boxes at once all using the same DB for user and group information. If I was to use this on a bigger scale I'd like to be able to run a couple of login servers over a campus.

You/the school could consider financially sponsoring Charlie Brady to do the development work to make this happen, and I'm sure if substantial enough funding was promised then others would also contribute sponsorship cash.

Also the option of separating a couple of services onto different boxes like Web, Proxy, and Mail.

This functionality already exists in sme server, you just have to configure it appropriately using the server manager panels and/or db commands.

But in saying this. If the box is powerful enough (no some old piece of resurrected scrap) it will handle all these services on one box no worries.

Agreed, powerful hardware is cheap, so give the one box enough power (& bandwidth) and it would upscale quite well to handle large networks/heavy loads.

[Smitro]

You/the school could consider financially sponsoring Charlie Brady to do the development work to make this happen

I would be interested in this, and I'm sure others would be. We don't have a "bounty page" as such do we? I don't know if I personally could put in all the money, but some others may be able to help. I know SME has saved me a lot of $$$'s in the past, so I'm willing to help out.

[raem]

Smitro

I would be interested in this, and I'm sure others would be.

I assume the best approach would be to contact Charlie directly, his email address can be found on bugzilla posts. Discuss costing etc with him and then post back to these forums asking for additional cash sponsorship for the specific project, and see if you can generate enough income to fund the development to completion.
Charlie may have other ideas of course.

[p-jones]

like case studies not information from a little guy

I think there are more than enough "little guys" here to make up a "big guy"

I think you should be considering the 'lean & mean" approach of SME vs the the MS "Bulkware" approach.

I note that Microsoft is the predominantly considered competition here. Dont forget Novell and dont overlook the fact that Novell aquired SuSe Linux to spread its wings into this area. Novell still has a strong and significant position in the upper end market. A number of Novell features sit on Apache/Tomcat , both of which had there beginings in the Linux arena.

[yersin]

apache is about 80% IIS is a lot less

Sorry, 80% what?