Finally time to start migration to Linux....

[Jay Ashworth]

----- Original Message -----
> From: scooter6 at gmail.com

> Well, the time is quickly approaching to get this started. I have a
> few questions I'd like some guidance on.

You will get many replies (I know; I've seen them listed, though I haven't 
read any yet); these are mine.

> The server we're going to be using is a Dell PowerEdge w/Dual Xeon
> processors, 8GB RAM and 4x146GB drives w/Perc RAID controller.
> (this is just what I have to work with - don't shoot the messenger
> lol)

I'm not stunningly happy with Dell, but the specs aren't bad.
 
> 1) Build 2 mirror RAID volumes - one for the CentOS and one for filePro and
> all the data (would you agree/disagree with this approach? if you disagree,
> I'm open for ideas)

I'm certainly fond of RAID1, if you can afford the drives, yes.

And yes, /appl is my standard mount point, even on machines with no filePro
install.  :-)

> 2) I obviously have to migrate the users to Linux (is there a 'quick' way
> to do this? I have about 75 users to create on the new system)

As long as there are no UID conflicts with the stock install, you can 
actually just copy the user segment of the passwd file over, and set
new passwords; you'll have to do all the userdir stuff yourself, of 
course.  If your filepro users are like mine, they're just there for 
authentication purposes; no actual files.

> 3) I will need to configure our printers, which are Konica/Minolta BizHubs
> -- is there any 'magic' to doing this on Linux vs SCO?

They support PS2 and port 9100 I think. Should be a walkon.

> 4) We have a LOT of scripts that are written using the Bourne shell
> (/bin/sh) - do I need to do anything magical on the Linux side to make
> these work when I copy them over?

Almost certainly not, except for the possibility of command paths, and
the occasional issue of command switches, which aren't the shell's fault,
of course.

> 5) We have approx 25 GB of data that needs to move and I will copy
> that over the LAN. Does anything special need to happen with the filePro
> data files when I move them from SCO to CentOS?

Shouldn't think so.  Use Rsync; you can run the copies while the systems are
live, and then your last copy will be short and quick when you take the old
box offline.

> 6) I'm looking for a backup system that will backup our data nightly -
> something preferably where I can rotate tapes and keep a copy offsite
> as well. We are very heavily dependent on our data (as I'm sure you all
> are) and with any kind of 'downtime' we're in big trouble not being able to
> produce revenue.
> Does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions on best way to do daily
> backups, etc? Our data footprint will continue to grow so it's needs
> to be fairly scalable and be able to grow with us.

Check eBay for LTO robots; LTO-2 is probably big enough for what you need 
now.  You want it all on one tape, and you want BackupEdge backing it up.

> 7) Anything else I need to 'be on the lookout' for when doing this
> conversion that perhaps I haven't thought of?

It will be fun to see everyone else's answers.  :-)

Cheers,
-- jra
-- 
Jay R. Ashworth                  Baylink                       jra at baylink.com
Designer                     The Things I Think                       RFC 2100
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