[BlueOnyx:14360] Re: BlueOnyx 5106R users: Please consider upgrading

[Chris Gebhardt - VIRTBIZ Internet]

Thanks Michael.

On 2/4/2014 7:50 PM, Michael Stauber wrote:
> But let me say this: If you're using BlueOnyx 5106R, then please
> consider migrating to BlueOnyx 5107R or BlueOnyx 5108R in the near future.
>
> CentOS5 will be around and maintained until March 31, 2017.
>
> However: As things stand I'd *strongly* advise not to wait that long.

Michael makes a very good point for some sound security reasons.   That 
said, there are other compelling reasons to leave 5106R behind as well.

- stability.   My own informal examination has shown 5108R to be 
generally more stable than 5106R.   This is especially true with the 
random Dovecot authentication lock-ups.

- performance.  We have 5108R and 5106R systems running similar loads 
side-by-side.  The 5108R runs circles around the 5106R boxes when it 
comes to tasks in the daily cron, MySQL operations, etc.   My guess is 
the 64-bit-tuned parts are allowed to make better use of system 
resources.  suPHP appears to take less of a hit as well, and we run ALL 
production sites in suPHP environments.

- 64-bit.   While on the topic of 64-bit, I should point out that it has 
been a very long time since 32-bit equipment was all that was available. 
  I would strongly recommend that if you're on equipment that will only 
run 32-bit, you are approaching (or surpassing!) a reasonable life 
expectancy.  You may be doing yourself a favor by jettisoning the old 
gear and moving into something newer in a planned operation rather than 
wait for equipment failure.

> Another reason to upgrade is cosmetic: It'll make it much easier to get
> the new BlueOnyx GUI installed once it's ready for release.

Oh yes, there is that!  :)

5106R has served us very well.   For many of us, it was the lifeboat out 
of CentOS 4.x and the stagnation that appeared to take hold with the 
BlueQuartz project.  Recall that BlueOnyx made its public debut on New 
Years Eve of 2008.  Five years later, it's still a viable platform. 
Consider that BlueQuartz (from which we forked) first hit in 2003, and 
we've now been BlueOnyx users for longer than BlueQuartz was around in a 
viable form.   So it is with a heartfelt "thanks" that I say farewell to 
5106R as we prepare to move the last of our own systems to 5108R.  For 
us, it is far better to make the move on our terms instead of having our 
hand forced by obsolescence.

-- 
Chris Gebhardt
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