Subject: Re: Netatalk ok, reliable for large no of users?
From: Ryan McBeth (ryan@mobiusnm.com)
Date: Tue Feb 20 2001 - 14:07:44 EST
Rory,
        I hate to put on a flame-proof suit, but I might stay with NT 
in your situation.  As a web publishing house, we need the 
virtual-hosting capabilities of Linux and Apache.  Netatalk allows 
our artists to archive and publish right to the Apache server, things 
that we can't really do with IIS/NT.   However, if NT is working for 
you now, maybe you should stick with it.
You'll never find a more pro-linux person than me, but if NT is 
working, and working well in your situation, it might be better to 
get a second NT machine, network mount the drive through the first 
machine, and keep on working.
        Not trying to start a flame war, just IMHO.
        However, if it ain't broken ... don't break it.
        Ryan
>Hi
>
>We're running about 120 Mac users off 1 NT4 Compaq Proliant 1600 server in
>a flat network arrangement that is fully switched. The NT4 server has a
>single 100Mb card set to full duplex. Its 40Gb disk space is running at
>about 95% full. We need to replace this server with one or more servers
>providing, probably, a faster network interface - dual network cards - and
>about 100Gb file serving space.
>
>I ran a couple of tests comparing the performance over the network of
>reading and writing files over AoIP to a 7200 (<100Mb RAM) working as our
>intranet server, and compared this performance to the NT4 server. I used
>the helios lantest to do the tests, using small 3000K files. It seems that
>we would gain from a large benefit in network performance if we moved to
>AoIP if I'm correct in thinking that the Linux box would have done better
>with a 100Mb card set to full duplex. I might be wrong though!
>
>
>in KB/sec                   NT4         Linux
>write 3000KB file           756         810
>read 3000KB file            870         1024
>
>I am trying to select the correct hardware/software combination for these
>file servers. We do not have complex group/user configuration, and there is
>relatively little protection of directories as we work in a collaborative
>work environment. Our main network usage of files are Microstation CAD
>files, few of which are over 3Mb in size.
>
>Is netatalk/Linux a viable alternative to NT4/Windows 2000 for file serving
>for about 120 Mac users? Or should I be waiting for the new OSX server?
>
>I'd be really grateful for any advice or comment
>Rory
>--
>	Rory Campbell-Lange
>	The Campbell-Lange Workshop
>	London
__________________________________
Ryan McBeth
Systems Administrator, Mobius New Media
Voice: (302) 475-9880 x11
FAX: (302) 475-9894
www.mobiusnm.com
__________________________________
The secret to not getting burned out is to play at
working hard, and not taking things too seriously.
- Linus Torvalds
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