I need to build a big machine to replace a
Compaq Proliant running SCO OpenServer.
The system needs to run several Progress databases (12gb and growing)
and I am
looking for maximum disk throughput for about 150 users accessing via
Telnet.
Some are telling me that I should be looking at big hardware, such
as HP9000, SGI or Sun. The type of equipment that would cost upwards of
$100k.
I want to try it with Linux.
Here are my preferences:
- Intel 450 Single or Dual, the application is really NOT cpu bound.
I need Intel because until Progress releases a Linux version
I will be using the SCO version with iBCS. And, as a safety net,
if Linux isn't stable in this setup, I can put SCO on it
(I really don't want to do that).
- 512mb ram. Can I go bigger?, whats the max?
Current system has 512mb and is only using about 300mb of it.
- 4 Adaptec 2940UW Host adaptors with 4-4gb Ultra wide disks on each.
16 drives total. Isn't there a limit on number of scsi disks?
If there is a limit, I could change it to a total of 8 9gb drives.
Progress has it's own Multi-volume support and can utilize as many
drives as I can give it.
I figure: more spindles + more heads = better disk performance.
Is Linux ready for the Enterprise Server market?
Will I run into a maximum on the number of processes that can run?
I have about 45-60 days to do this, Should I be waiting for the 2.2
Kernel
or do you think the latest 2.0.xx kernel can handle it?
I was hesitant about posting to the kernel list, but I figure that it is
the
kernel that has to handle the load, and I really need to know that Linux
can
handle this before I convince the customer to spend the money on the
hardware.
If this works, I have several other customers who would also be good
candidates for a Big Ass Linux Machine.
Thanks for any suggestions you may have.
Jim McQuillan
McQuillan Systems
jam@McQuil.com
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