Re: [CentOS] CentOS vs RedHat packages

2007-08-05 Thread Lanny Marcus
On 05 August 2007, Scott Ehrlich <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> I would have no problems doing it by hand, too, but when I use a 
> system-supplied option, I expect it to work, particularly
> out-of-the-box, 
> and this simple tool breaks right after it is put to use.   Makes me 
> wonder why, and what else might be breaking.

Watch out, if you ever use FC then! During my very brief fling with FC6,
I found that system-config-display did not update xorg11.config (that's
not the correct file name), as it claimed to be doing. 

As you know, it is always best to either use the GUI tools or do it by
hand. Not good to mix the two methods. 

My impression from reading this ML is that you will find CentOS performs
for you just as well as RHEL would and probably you will get better
support, on this ML, than you would from RH for RHEL, unless you are in
the super customer group at RH.  

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RE: [CentOS] CentOS vs RedHat packages

2007-08-05 Thread Ross S. W. Walker
> -Original Message-
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Scott Ehrlich
> Sent: Sunday, August 05, 2007 12:32 PM
> To: CentOS mailing list
> Subject: RE: [CentOS] CentOS vs RedHat packages
> 
> On Sun, 5 Aug 2007, Ross S. W. Walker wrote:
> 
> >> -Original Message-
> >> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Scott Ehrlich
> >> Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2007 8:43 PM
> >> To: CentOS mailing list
> >> Subject: Re: [CentOS] CentOS vs RedHat packages
> >>
> >> On Sat, 4 Aug 2007, Shawn Everett wrote:
> >>

> >>
> >> The basic issue I have encountered is, after freshly 
> installing RHEL5
> >> 64-bit Server on a Dell Poweredge 2950, everything is fine.
> >> After logging
> >> in for the first time, I configure services as I want via
> >> system-config-services. But after doing so, and rebooting, at
> >> first the
> >> filesystem claims there is a system error and prompts for the root
> >> password for a fsck, or control-D to reboot.
> >
> > Scott, do you remember what the system error was at boot?
> >
> > It may be that config-services turned off an essential 
> system startup
> > service.
> >
> > I found 'chkconfig' much more reliable and easy to use on 
> the CLI than
> > config-services in the GUI.
> 
> I'll check that out - thanks!
> 
> >
> > Also what method did you use to reboot your system after 
> config-services?
> >
> 
> I forget - either reboot at the command window, or reboot 
> from the gui. 
> Never a "hard" reboot.

Did it hang while doing the shutdown that forced you to hit
the power button?

If it doesn't have Internet access, does it have any network
access, cause if DNS isn't working properly and /etc/hosts
isn't fully populated there can be hangs while it timeouts
doing name-lookups and I have had some admins think that
the machine is frozen and do a hard power-off and power-on
then wonder why their file-systems were corrupted.

> >
> >> I opt to reboot, and the system then complains of python
> >> errors, but there
> >> are no more system errors.  But, when I revisit
> >> system-config-services, I
> >> immediately experience python errors.
> >
> > Possible file-system corruption in and around where the 
> python libraries
> > are since they were last used... Maybe due to a dirty shutdown?
> 
> I always go for a "software" shutdown where/when possible - 
> never power 
> cord nor power switch.
> 
> >
> >> To try and potentially help resolve this problem, I recently
> >> updated the
> >> BIOS and some of the firmware.   I then performed a fresh
> >> install again.
> >> I then downloaded RH's Enterprise 5 Supplement ISO, along 
> with Dell's
> >> OpenManage ISOs for Enterprise 5.   I'm hoping something
> >> among this back
> >> of changes will help solve the python configuration problem.
> >
> > Did you install the latest dell drivers for your controller 
> (Perc 5/i?),
> > the drivers for these controllers are updated/fixed frequently.
> 
> I let RH install its own drivers.   I will probably then 
> simply reinstall 
> the OS again, this time with linux dd to utilize the Dell 
> PERC drivers.

Linux like any OS has basic drivers to get it up and running, but
those drivers tend to be a little out of date and they could have
some critical issues that appear when run under load.

Best practice is always to install the latest hardware drivers from
the manufacturer after/during install, especially for storage and
network (video for workstations).

> Unfortunately, I was unable to get the PERC firmware to successfully 
> update with Dell's utility.  I may ask them for a resolution on that, 
> unless I can overcome it another way.

Make sure compat-stdc++-33 is installed as the Dell installers use the
older c++ libs.

Making sure the firmware is current is also critical because some of
Dell's initial firmwares have some serious integrity flaws.. :-(

> >
> >> If not, I may opt to see how well CentOS 5 handles things.
> >
> > It will unfortunately handle them exactly the way RHEL 
> does. As it is
> > RHEL...
> >
> >> I'm mostly interested in the PostgreSql and Java pieces.
> >
> > And a stable and reliable system to run them on I hope. ;-)
> >
> 
> Of course.
> 
> >> If it comes down to it, I could always place a trouble call
> >> with Dell and
> >> R

RE: [CentOS] CentOS vs RedHat packages

2007-08-05 Thread Scott Ehrlich

On Sun, 5 Aug 2007, Ross S. W. Walker wrote:


-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Scott Ehrlich
Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2007 8:43 PM
To: CentOS mailing list
Subject: Re: [CentOS] CentOS vs RedHat packages

On Sat, 4 Aug 2007, Shawn Everett wrote:


I've got some basic issues with a critical server I'm

about to set up,

and if I cannot get beyond said issues, I may opt to try

CentOS.  Seeing

that CentOS is free (can't call RedHat for support), I'm

wondering if I

should try and make the case for CentOS over RedHat.  Once

the choice is

made, it may be next to impossible to revert to the other

version (RH vs

CentOS).



Hi Scott,

If you explain the "basic issues" you are having we might

be able to help

you out.

I have installed Oracle 10g and Veritas Netbackup on CentOS

servers with no

problem at all.  I've been 100% happy with how things have worked.

If this really is a critical server, I would suggest going

with the vendor

supported distribution.  Running an (untested to you)

distribution that

you are not completely familiar with (on a critical server)

is a recipe

for disaster.


The basic issue I have encountered is, after freshly installing RHEL5
64-bit Server on a Dell Poweredge 2950, everything is fine.
After logging
in for the first time, I configure services as I want via
system-config-services. But after doing so, and rebooting, at
first the
filesystem claims there is a system error and prompts for the root
password for a fsck, or control-D to reboot.


Scott, do you remember what the system error was at boot?

It may be that config-services turned off an essential system startup
service.

I found 'chkconfig' much more reliable and easy to use on the CLI than
config-services in the GUI.


I'll check that out - thanks!



Also what method did you use to reboot your system after config-services?



I forget - either reboot at the command window, or reboot from the gui. 
Never a "hard" reboot.





I opt to reboot, and the system then complains of python
errors, but there
are no more system errors.  But, when I revisit
system-config-services, I
immediately experience python errors.


Possible file-system corruption in and around where the python libraries
are since they were last used... Maybe due to a dirty shutdown?


I always go for a "software" shutdown where/when possible - never power 
cord nor power switch.





To try and potentially help resolve this problem, I recently
updated the
BIOS and some of the firmware.   I then performed a fresh
install again.
I then downloaded RH's Enterprise 5 Supplement ISO, along with Dell's
OpenManage ISOs for Enterprise 5.   I'm hoping something
among this back
of changes will help solve the python configuration problem.


Did you install the latest dell drivers for your controller (Perc 5/i?),
the drivers for these controllers are updated/fixed frequently.


I let RH install its own drivers.   I will probably then simply reinstall 
the OS again, this time with linux dd to utilize the Dell PERC drivers.


Unfortunately, I was unable to get the PERC firmware to successfully 
update with Dell's utility.  I may ask them for a resolution on that, 
unless I can overcome it another way.





If not, I may opt to see how well CentOS 5 handles things.


It will unfortunately handle them exactly the way RHEL does. As it is
RHEL...


I'm mostly interested in the PostgreSql and Java pieces.


And a stable and reliable system to run them on I hope. ;-)



Of course.


If it comes down to it, I could always place a trouble call
with Dell and
RedHat and see if either of them has a helpful solution.


And the forecast calls for pain...


Anyone on the list experience the same kind of problem, and find an
answer?  If so, what was it?


At this point it really can be anything, I would start by getting the
latest PERC driver from Dell and installing it, uses dkms to keep it
current on updated kernels. You will need cc, binutils, kernel-devel
installed before hand for it to fully work right on the initial
install.


Always pre-installed - never know when they will be needed...




The server is not connected to the Internet, and likely never
will be -
strictly out-of-box CDs.


Should not make a difference, except you will have a hard time getting
the latest bug-fixed and security-fixed versions of the system.

I would look into finding a way to get this puppy to get the latest
updates, either via proxy server or internal update server.


I've got other methods.

I'll try your suggestions when I return to work tomorrow.

Thanks!

Scott



-Ross

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RE: [CentOS] CentOS vs RedHat packages

2007-08-05 Thread Ross S. W. Walker
> -Original Message-
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Scott Ehrlich
> Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2007 8:43 PM
> To: CentOS mailing list
> Subject: Re: [CentOS] CentOS vs RedHat packages
> 
> On Sat, 4 Aug 2007, Shawn Everett wrote:
> 
> >> I've got some basic issues with a critical server I'm 
> about to set up,
> >> and if I cannot get beyond said issues, I may opt to try 
> CentOS.  Seeing
> >> that CentOS is free (can't call RedHat for support), I'm 
> wondering if I
> >> should try and make the case for CentOS over RedHat.  Once 
> the choice is
> >> made, it may be next to impossible to revert to the other 
> version (RH vs
> >> CentOS).
> >>
> >
> > Hi Scott,
> >
> > If you explain the "basic issues" you are having we might 
> be able to help
> > you out.
> >
> > I have installed Oracle 10g and Veritas Netbackup on CentOS 
> servers with no
> > problem at all.  I've been 100% happy with how things have worked.
> >
> > If this really is a critical server, I would suggest going 
> with the vendor
> > supported distribution.  Running an (untested to you) 
> distribution that
> > you are not completely familiar with (on a critical server) 
> is a recipe
> > for disaster.
> 
> The basic issue I have encountered is, after freshly installing RHEL5 
> 64-bit Server on a Dell Poweredge 2950, everything is fine.  
> After logging 
> in for the first time, I configure services as I want via 
> system-config-services. But after doing so, and rebooting, at 
> first the 
> filesystem claims there is a system error and prompts for the root 
> password for a fsck, or control-D to reboot.

Scott, do you remember what the system error was at boot?

It may be that config-services turned off an essential system startup
service.

I found 'chkconfig' much more reliable and easy to use on the CLI than
config-services in the GUI.

Also what method did you use to reboot your system after config-services?


> I opt to reboot, and the system then complains of python 
> errors, but there 
> are no more system errors.  But, when I revisit 
> system-config-services, I 
> immediately experience python errors.

Possible file-system corruption in and around where the python libraries
are since they were last used... Maybe due to a dirty shutdown?

> To try and potentially help resolve this problem, I recently 
> updated the 
> BIOS and some of the firmware.   I then performed a fresh 
> install again.
> I then downloaded RH's Enterprise 5 Supplement ISO, along with Dell's 
> OpenManage ISOs for Enterprise 5.   I'm hoping something 
> among this back 
> of changes will help solve the python configuration problem.

Did you install the latest dell drivers for your controller (Perc 5/i?),
the drivers for these controllers are updated/fixed frequently.

> If not, I may opt to see how well CentOS 5 handles things.

It will unfortunately handle them exactly the way RHEL does. As it is
RHEL...

> I'm mostly interested in the PostgreSql and Java pieces.

And a stable and reliable system to run them on I hope. ;-)

> If it comes down to it, I could always place a trouble call 
> with Dell and 
> RedHat and see if either of them has a helpful solution.

And the forecast calls for pain...

> Anyone on the list experience the same kind of problem, and find an 
> answer?  If so, what was it?

At this point it really can be anything, I would start by getting the
latest PERC driver from Dell and installing it, uses dkms to keep it
current on updated kernels. You will need cc, binutils, kernel-devel
installed before hand for it to fully work right on the initial
install.

> The server is not connected to the Internet, and likely never 
> will be - 
> strictly out-of-box CDs.

Should not make a difference, except you will have a hard time getting
the latest bug-fixed and security-fixed versions of the system.

I would look into finding a way to get this puppy to get the latest
updates, either via proxy server or internal update server.

-Ross

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Re: [CentOS] CentOS vs RedHat packages

2007-08-05 Thread Shawn Everett
On Saturday 04 August 2007, Scott Ehrlich wrote:
> On Sat, 4 Aug 2007, Shawn Everett wrote:
> >> Anyone on the list experience the same kind of problem, and find an
> >> answer?  If so, what was it?
> >
> > A couple of follow up questions:
> > - How much disk space is on the server and how is it partitioned?  How
> > many logical disks in the RAID controller (if any) are made?
>
> About 200 GB total, using RH's default layout.   More than emough.   One
> logical disk on the RAID.
>
Thx.  The reason I asked is many of us have ran into issues with large 
disks (2TB+).  You would only have to search back in the archives to find 
those details.

I did my RHCE on RHEL5.  I can confirm there are some weird bugs in some 
system-config scripts.  One of them bit me during the exam. :)  I didn't 
and have never used system-config-services so I can't comment on that one 
specifically.

Shawn
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Re: [CentOS] CentOS vs RedHat packages

2007-08-04 Thread Scott Ehrlich

On Sat, 4 Aug 2007, Shawn Everett wrote:


Anyone on the list experience the same kind of problem, and find an
answer?  If so, what was it?



A couple of follow up questions:
- How much disk space is on the server and how is it partitioned?  How many
logical disks in the RAID controller (if any) are made?


About 200 GB total, using RH's default layout.   More than emough.   One 
logical disk on the RAID.




- Have you noticed any programs mysteriously stop working after the reboot?

Personally I never use the system-config-* scripts.  I do 90% of the
configuration by hand.  That's a throwback to my Slackware days and that
way I know things work.



I would have no problems doing it by hand, too, but when I use a 
system-supplied option, I expect it to work, particularly out-of-the-box, 
and this simple tool breaks right after it is put to use.   Makes me 
wonder why, and what else might be breaking.


Scott


Shawn
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Re: [CentOS] CentOS vs RedHat packages

2007-08-04 Thread Shawn Everett
> Anyone on the list experience the same kind of problem, and find an
> answer?  If so, what was it?
>

A couple of follow up questions:
- How much disk space is on the server and how is it partitioned?  How many 
logical disks in the RAID controller (if any) are made?

- Have you noticed any programs mysteriously stop working after the reboot?

Personally I never use the system-config-* scripts.  I do 90% of the 
configuration by hand.  That's a throwback to my Slackware days and that 
way I know things work.

Shawn
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Re: [CentOS] CentOS vs RedHat packages

2007-08-04 Thread Scott Ehrlich

On Sat, 4 Aug 2007, Shawn Everett wrote:


I've got some basic issues with a critical server I'm about to set up,
and if I cannot get beyond said issues, I may opt to try CentOS.  Seeing
that CentOS is free (can't call RedHat for support), I'm wondering if I
should try and make the case for CentOS over RedHat.  Once the choice is
made, it may be next to impossible to revert to the other version (RH vs
CentOS).



Hi Scott,

If you explain the "basic issues" you are having we might be able to help
you out.

I have installed Oracle 10g and Veritas Netbackup on CentOS servers with no
problem at all.  I've been 100% happy with how things have worked.

If this really is a critical server, I would suggest going with the vendor
supported distribution.  Running an (untested to you) distribution that
you are not completely familiar with (on a critical server) is a recipe
for disaster.


The basic issue I have encountered is, after freshly installing RHEL5 
64-bit Server on a Dell Poweredge 2950, everything is fine.  After logging 
in for the first time, I configure services as I want via 
system-config-services. But after doing so, and rebooting, at first the 
filesystem claims there is a system error and prompts for the root 
password for a fsck, or control-D to reboot.


I opt to reboot, and the system then complains of python errors, but there 
are no more system errors.  But, when I revisit system-config-services, I 
immediately experience python errors.


To try and potentially help resolve this problem, I recently updated the 
BIOS and some of the firmware.   I then performed a fresh install again.
I then downloaded RH's Enterprise 5 Supplement ISO, along with Dell's 
OpenManage ISOs for Enterprise 5.   I'm hoping something among this back 
of changes will help solve the python configuration problem.


If not, I may opt to see how well CentOS 5 handles things.

I'm mostly interested in the PostgreSql and Java pieces.

If it comes down to it, I could always place a trouble call with Dell and 
RedHat and see if either of them has a helpful solution.


Anyone on the list experience the same kind of problem, and find an 
answer?  If so, what was it?


The server is not connected to the Internet, and likely never will be - 
strictly out-of-box CDs.


Thanks for any insights.

Scott



Shawn
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Re: [CentOS] CentOS vs RedHat packages

2007-08-04 Thread Shawn Everett
> I've got some basic issues with a critical server I'm about to set up,
> and if I cannot get beyond said issues, I may opt to try CentOS.  Seeing
> that CentOS is free (can't call RedHat for support), I'm wondering if I
> should try and make the case for CentOS over RedHat.  Once the choice is
> made, it may be next to impossible to revert to the other version (RH vs
> CentOS).
>

Hi Scott,

If you explain the "basic issues" you are having we might be able to help 
you out.

I have installed Oracle 10g and Veritas Netbackup on CentOS servers with no 
problem at all.  I've been 100% happy with how things have worked.

If this really is a critical server, I would suggest going with the vendor 
supported distribution.  Running an (untested to you) distribution that 
you are not completely familiar with (on a critical server) is a recipe 
for disaster.

Shawn
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Re: [CentOS] CentOS vs RedHat packages

2007-08-04 Thread Daniel de Kok
On Sat, 2007-08-04 at 16:31 -0400, Scott Ehrlich wrote:
> Another learning experience question - it is my understanding that CentOS 
> essentially IS RedHat but with any commercial connection removed.   That 
> being said, is there any difference in the included, or quality of 
> packages between the two distros?
> 
> I've got some basic issues with a critical server I'm about to set up, and 
> if I cannot get beyond said issues, I may opt to try CentOS.  Seeing that 
> CentOS is free (can't call RedHat for support), I'm wondering if I should 
> try and make the case for CentOS over RedHat.  Once the choice is made, it 
> may be next to impossible to revert to the other version (RH vs CentOS).

CentOS aims to be 100% binary compatible with the upstream product.
Additional or changed packages are included in the extras or plus
repositories. E.g. CentOS plus provides a modified kernel with more
options enabled, and extras the heartbeat clustering software.

-- Daniel

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[CentOS] CentOS vs RedHat packages

2007-08-04 Thread Scott Ehrlich

Hello Once Again:

Another learning experience question - it is my understanding that CentOS 
essentially IS RedHat but with any commercial connection removed.   That 
being said, is there any difference in the included, or quality of 
packages between the two distros?


I've got some basic issues with a critical server I'm about to set up, and 
if I cannot get beyond said issues, I may opt to try CentOS.  Seeing that 
CentOS is free (can't call RedHat for support), I'm wondering if I should 
try and make the case for CentOS over RedHat.  Once the choice is made, it 
may be next to impossible to revert to the other version (RH vs CentOS).


Thanks for your insights.

Scott
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