Dear Physics Dept. Computing Reps, Just in case you were unaware, a few months ago the College (someone at ICT) decided it was necessary to move from Redhat to Oracle Linux (to enable the "Blue Box" to legally use Linux - or at least that's my understanding of the reason for changing). SPAT has a large (20+) number of servers which run Redhat Linux, which are no longer supported by ICT. ICT have admitted they do not have the resources to determine whether there are any issues with migrating from Redhat to Oracle for SPAT, only that "they should be pretty much the same". I'm looking to arrange a meeting with Mike Russell to discuss amongst a few things, how such a decision was made without any (or at least I'm not aware of any) discussion with the research groups at Imperial. However, before I do so, I would like to know the following (a brief response either way would be appreciated): 1. Were you or your group consulted regarding this change? 2. Does your group rely on Redhat Linux for its core computational ability? 3. If the answer to (2) is yes - have you any experience of using the new Oracle Linux and are there any noticeable impacts asscociated with migrating from Redhat to Oracle Linux? (e.g. compatibility between existing Redhat Enterprise Server and Oracle Linux in a mixed environment, etc.). 4. Again, if the answer to (2) is yes - will your group be purchasing (or have you already purchased) a Redhat Support contract (I'm aware that at least one Group in the College has done so)? David - if there's room in everyone's schedule and it's deemed more appropriate to discuss this at a Dept. Computing Meeting then I'm happy to wait to potentially discuss this then.. Otherwise, I'd appreciate a brief response so that I can better understand whether this is an annoyance for just SPAT or the wider Physics Department. Thanks, Rich ------------------------------------------- Dr Richard Bantges Scientific Project Manager Space & Atmospheric Physics Imperial College London LONDON SW7 2AZ Tel. +44 207 594 7664 Fax. +44 207 594 7772 -------------------------------------------