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Switching server from Linux to OpenBSD: a good idea?

E

Electrode

Diamond Member
For awhile, I've been considering switching my server from Linux to OpenBSD. I've heard some good things about it, and just now I was looking through the FAQs and it looks pretty good.

Can anyone who has used OpenBSD tell me what I'm getting in to, and is it worth it? What kind of migration problems can I expect?

Some info about the server:

Hardware:
Pentium 3 800
512 MB RAM
Two 80 GB IDE hard drives
Nvidia GeForce2 MX
YMF724 soundcard
3Com EtherLink XL 10baseT NIC (internet)
RTL8139B 10/100 NIC (internal)

Roles:
NAT router
Web server (apache)
FTP server (proftpd)
SMB and NFS servers

The only problem I can think of is the fact that OpenBSD does not support ReiserFS, and I won't touch ext2 with a 10 foot pole, seeing as I HAVE lost data in system crashes.
 
FFS + SoftUpdates is argueably as good as a journaling file system. Some people think it is better, some people think it is not as good, but Ill leave your opinion up to you. If you want some links to read on the subjects, shoot me a pm and Ill look for them and post them. Some of them are biased towards FFS + SoftUpdates though.

The migrating from Linux section would be great to look at in the FAQ.

The hardware looks fine, except the sound card. Take a look at the OpenBSD page or opensound.com for drivers if you want to sound to work. The GeForce wont give you much power, but for a server you wont need it.

I do NAT/firewall on a p133 without problems. I also run apache, qmail, and BIND 4 on my Athlon system. I dont do FTP, but it works fine for other sites. SMD and NFS should be fine.

Any specific questions?

EDIT
 
Thanks for the info. I don't have any specific questions yet, but I'm sure I will once I start setting it up. Other than the FS thing (which isn't really an issue anymore I see) it looks like something worth doing. I plan to order a set of CDs (I see they come with stickers 🙂) next week.
 


<< Thanks for the info. I don't have any specific questions yet, but I'm sure I will once I start setting it up. Other than the FS thing (which isn't really an issue anymore I see) it looks like something worth doing. I plan to order a set of CDs (I see they come with stickers 🙂) next week. >>



Yeah, every cd Ive gotten has come with a sheet of stickers which now ardorn my monitor and atleast 1 case. The cds are $40, but you get 4 cds for something like 9 different hardware architectures, so its definitely worth it (to me). There are a few OpenBSD users on the boards so hopefully they will pop in and say something.
 
I am actually planning to install OpenBSD myself (actually prolly a dual boot FreeBSD/OpenBSD box), I am assuming that all the ISOs are online. Is it really necessary to shell out $40 for the disks ? Thanks!
 


<< I am actually planning to install OpenBSD myself (actually prolly a dual boot FreeBSD/OpenBSD box), I am assuming that all the ISOs are online. Is it really necessary to shell out $40 for the disks ? Thanks! >>



No ISOs. Explanation here. You can do a great FTP install.
 
(actually prolly a dual boot FreeBSD/OpenBSD box), I am assuming that all the ISOs are online.

Theo owns the rights to the OpenBSD cd layout, so putting up ISOs is illegal. He does this to push people to buy the CDs. You can still download and burn it yourself or do a 'net install.

The only problem I can think of is the fact that OpenBSD does not support ReiserFS, and I won't touch ext2 with a 10 foot pole, seeing as I HAVE lost data in system crashes.

I wouldn't touch reiserfs, but that's just me =)
 


<< (actually prolly a dual boot FreeBSD/OpenBSD box), I am assuming that all the ISOs are online.

Theo owns the rights to the OpenBSD cd layout, so putting up ISOs is illegal. He does this to push people to buy the CDs. You can still download and burn it yourself or do a 'net install. >>



Putting up copies of the cd is illegal, but making an unofficial cd (by changing the layout, the only part that is not free) can be easy. They have a suggestion on the site (which I linked) about finding those sources. But an ftp install is quick and easy (did it at work not too long ago).



<< The only problem I can think of is the fact that OpenBSD does not support ReiserFS, and I won't touch ext2 with a 10 foot pole, seeing as I HAVE lost data in system crashes.

I wouldn't touch reiserfs, but that's just me =) >>



I had some drive problems with XFS. So my views on journaling systems isnt all that nice right now. But that was probably user error and Im trying not to hold it against XFS 😉
 
when i did an ftp install of open bsd about a month ago it was extremely easy. i used a single floppy, no need to by the cd's but it's nice to support them. which is why i ordered a couple of shrits from them (and so i could look cool too)🙂
 
Makes sense, it should not be hard to make an iso for personal use. That's what I might do, I download it with cuteftp pro (simply awesome program!) and create CDs. Thanks!
 


<< Makes sense, it should not be hard to make an iso for personal use. That's what I might do, I download it with cuteftp pro (simply awesome program!) and create CDs. Thanks! >>



If you like it and continue to use it, please consider purchasing the cds though. The money they get from that (especially selling cds) helps keep the project going. I definitely recommend an ftp install if you have the bandwidth right now though, 3.1 should be out in June (I think). 6 month release schedules rock 🙂
 
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