Disruptions in the software fabric

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Here at the largest corporation in the world - named for its founder, we developed a client/server model in UNIX on multiple platforms (HP and Sun servers, HP, Sun, and once-upon-a-time SGI clients). Every user home directory is available from any client, and all applications are served via NFS (all using the automounter). It takes exactly 2 people to maintain and update the client OS package - with about a dozen "2nd level people" (many are no better than 1st level) to cover the 10,000 odd client workstations around the city. This "skeletin crew" is responsible for application roll-out and support + OS roll-out and support. On the server side, there are about a half-dozen server support guys for around 100 servers.

First off, these numbers are very good in terms of bang for your buck! I doubt you could support a M$ system with so few people. Anyway, if you used Linux on both sides of the model, you could have the same people doing client and/or server support, and could probably cut the support team in half. 10 people supporting 10,100 machines, and 1 developer. Not bad for a 60,000+ employee business (in the city). Since you can leverage this new process globally, you could save even more! Now to remove the $5000/workstation 3yr lease + $1000/yr support, and replace it with $2000 Dell purchase, and $50/yr to support.

Linux and OSS address the staleness issue, by continual improvement (Dr. Demming!), and with common workstation and server configuration (YES, they CAN both be IDENTICAL in configuration), you stay ahead of the "stale" curve. Now if we can JUST get OSS to think in terms of "served" software, this stuff would ROCK!

Posted by: Roger Ramjet   Posted on: 11/04/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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