I don't have any direct knowledge on Samba vs Windows admin, but when comparing other products, the biggest, by far, problem with Windows is...
The requirement that you upgrade everything! Just how many times has Microslop put out a new release of a product, stating that it is upward (and downward) compatable with the previous releases. They stop selling the old releases and/or the new version of Windows only works with the new release of a product. Once that "new" release gets into your shop, you find that sharing, is only one way...that is to the newer release. Microslop will say that there is a problem and that they are working on it. However, your timeframe is weeks, and theirs is "after you upgraded everything". Then, they come out with a fix. (12 to 18 months later) I've never really had this type of problem with any other vender. Now, Microslop seems to be actively trying to break code that Linux systems uses to tie into Windows. So if you are on the bleeding edge, you get caught and have to wait for the Linux side to catch up. (Seems to be a lot quicker than 12 to 18 months.) After all, Microslop doesn't get much money when you run old code, or some other vender code, they get their revenue when you upgrade. And they use every trick in the book to force you to upgrade on their time table. Tom Duerbusch THD Consulting >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 06/13 11:30 AM >>> I ran Samba on a UnixWare system for a couple of years. It took nearly zero effort. We also had several Windows/NT servers that required constant reboot, upgrades, etc. I would have to say that Windows in nearly infinitely more work. I have not really quantified it, but it seems that around 12 servers they became a full time job. The department actually hired someone about that time. I should probably mention that these servers supported two or three applications, and about 6 telephone support staff. I know that sounds like a lot of servers for this function, but we did handle a lot of data, and some of those servers were part of a cluster. On the other hand, it does seem like you need more Windows servers for any application than one would think you need. -----Original Message----- From: Lionel Dyck [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, June 13, 2003 9:00 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Samba admin vs. Windows admin Has anyone quantified the manpower required to administer a samba file server compared to a windows server? More manpower? Less? Comparable? -------------------------------------------------------------------- Lionel B. Dyck, Systems Software Lead Kaiser Permanente Information Technology 25 N. Via Monte Ave Walnut Creek, Ca 94598 Phone: (925) 926-5332 (tie line 8/473-5332) E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sametime: (use Lotus Notes address) AIM: lbdyck
