What's the cons and pros of Ubuntu server?

[ccfenix]

hi,

I am now looking for a server distrio for my dual-Xeon box.

My candidates are CentOS, UbuntuServer, and Debian.

CentOS seems to be the first choice, however, i need to use some latest libraries such as scipy and boost -1.4x, , Rhel's libraries are always awfully old.

Debian seems to be a good, but i am not sure whether it is still that popular these days. I remember it used to be very active a distrio when i was a student. today, looks like its user base has reduced a lot

Ubuntu is evolving toward a linux of its own class, I am not sure whether it is handy when used as a server distribution.

so, can anyone give me some advices?

[dk92123]

Looks like there is a repo for CentOS with the latest version of scipy:

scipy.org/Installing_SciPy/Linux#head-56d0191156a976f8d8b4e97a370044015abd8529

For a server distro, I think it's best to steer away from the fluff and while Ubuntu might make it effortless to setup, I think CentOS/RHEL and Debian are more solid and all-around better choices for a server distro. I think your 1st choice is the best choice...And I think it also depends on what you're most comfortable with too.

Just my opinions...
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more info:
go2linux.org/debian-ubuntu-centos-fedora-comparison
stackoverflow.com/questions/62222/centos-or-debian-as-a-server-os

[coopstah13]

My biggest qualms with debian and ubuntu for server is their short support cycle. If you don't mind having to reinstall every 18 months then be my guest, but this would not be my choice. Debian is longer, it goes about 3 years. Long term support for ubuntu is 5 years on server, so that is pretty good. This is scheduled for release next april. Centos still has longest support, I think its 7 years.

[janrocks]

My server is still running Sarge. (previous install was Potato) I don't really see much point in constantly updating servers, especially as running testing/upstream exposes them to security problems and unexpected bugs.

Next update is planned when Squeeze goes stable (tested and works well), I tried Lenny on it and that had a couple of hardware related problems which I honestly could not be bothered to fix.

Debian would be MY first choice, mainly because it's what I know and the huge user base means things get fixed quickly. It has a good reputation among the server admins I know for stability and good (well if you can handle things being out of date sometimes.. *note to debian team.. keep your docs and repositories up to date please!*) security and reliability.

My main gripe with Ubuntu is the way too many things (essential stuff) is built against and has dependencies in Debian experimental stream. In a server environment where online uptime is important I don't like having to hunt for backports or having to build my own essentials.
My rule with servers is KISS .. stable release, stable packages, no surprises, no missing upstream dependencies for some odd required package or lib version conflicts... Unfortunately Ubuntu fails on too many of those requirements for me to consider it as a serious contender in the server field.

** mostly the debian.man.uk repo.. that's the one which gives me headaches from time to time.

[coopstah13]

running outdated distros such as debian sarge is also a security risk

[janrocks]

I know.. but not as much as running something from upstream where holes are just waiting to be found... usually after the worst has happened.

I don't have the money to go out and just buy a new server because of some hardware dependency which (because it's old hardware) has been dropped.

4 years secure uptime is good enough for me. I do intend to upgrade as soon as Squeeze goes stable, but not before. Lenny refuses to run properly and Etch??.. no comment.... You would be very surprised how many commercial servers are running seriously old installations.. I encounter systems which haven't been updated in 5 or 6 years in my line of business, and they still work just fine for purpose. Updating some would be a disaster as everything would need to be pretty much rebuilt from scratch.. expensive and time consuming.. In a recession that's not always an option.
I wouldn't install an obsolete release, but running one which is already there and nicely hardened isn't the panic stations risk people would try to make us all believe... It's not windows after all, a hardened server installation is a hardened server installation.. no difference if it's cutting edge or a few years old, a determined hacker will find a way in if they really want to... (strewth.. the local council webservers are running BSD that was installed and left to rot in 1999)

I know the risks, and for my uses and site they are minimal.. certainly not worth spending money I don't have or wasting days offline making silly things work.