8/28 How good is FreeBSD's NFS server support? I'm thinking about
switching my Linux machine to run FreeBSD and I want to know
is the wierd NFS problems that I see *all the time* with Linux
will be present in FreeBSD. The machine will only be exporting
a few home directories. Also what is a good (decent performance,
ie not a 3COM nic) NIC for a FreeBSD NFS server? My network is
switched full duplex 100.
\_ FreeBSD's NFS is much better than Linux, especially if you're
serving to other OSen. Also, it's tape system actually works
so if you're making a file server, your headaches will be fewer.
\_ Thanks.
\_ "Weird NFS problems" is not very descriptive. I have used
linux as a nfs/samba server for a medium sized company
of 200 people before and had no problems. -ausman
\_ Okay, here is a list of my common problems:
1. Under high CPU load 1-2 for 15+ min the NFS server
process stops answering. strace says that it is
hung on a lock or a read.
2. Sometimes files become directories and visa versa.
When this happens, only a reboot of the client ws
solves the problem (can't unmount)
3. When secure is specified, clients lose connectivity
to the server intermittently.
4. On big directory copies ~ 1% .nfs* files created.
I never had such problems when my NFS server was a
Solaris machine. I could go back to that machine (SS10)
but I can't afford to good sized disk for it.
\_ Silly rabbit, solaris is for intel.
Can't you afford $70+shipping?
\_ I have Solaris 8 for x86, but I have been told
that PII 400 or greater for decent performance.
Also, Solaris for x86 is mostly geared towards
high-end SMP boxes.
\_ All bullshit. Never trust your source again.
If the CPU is good enough for free*nix, its good
enough for solaris, if you run the same stuff
on it. It's all about RAM. Solaris needs
16-32megs more RAM to be happy than your average
stripped-down linux install. If your box has
128 megs RAM, solaris x86 will perform very well
on it. Even 96megs, if you dont run emacs+netscape.
True, you 'll be most impressed if you have a
multi-cpubox. But otherwise, performance should be
remarkably similar.
\_ I've got a PII 350 and I'll be running it with
128 MB ram. It will be a server only. No X BS.
I like Solaris, but I'm a little concerned about
security. FreeBSD comes with tcp wrappers et al,
while securing a Solaris box is harder (isn't it?)
Anyone know of a good URL where I can get hardening
tips for Solaris (or FreeBSD)?
\_ So.. install tcp wrappers, why doncha?
Or download "sunscreen lite", suns free
actual FIREWALL PRODUCT.
And yeah, there is a web page somewhere
about "hardening solaris", but it sucks.
The proceedure is identical to any other *NIX:
shut down services, remove setuid progs,
check perms on dirs, etc. |