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 -------------------------------------------
Dear Rich,
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).
A move I struggle to understand, given Oracle's 'reputation'.
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?
No. This is the first I've heard of it. I have just read the ICTAP minutes from November (which I missed due to a conference) and saw that this change was announced there. The reason given in the report is that a change in the Red Hat license could not be used for commercial activity, which includes ICIS. The minutes of the meeting have not yet been released.
2. Does your group rely on Redhat Linux for its core computational ability?
Fortunately not. CMTH moved from Red Hat three or four years ago. However, cx1, at least, uses Red Hat (presumably under direct support, but Idon't know for sure) and our group uses that heavily.
[snip] 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.
It's an annoyance that the College has switched from supporting a company that is largely a force of good within the Linux community. Sure, Oracle claim to have binary compatibility. Even if you believe that (...), it's a bit unsettling that this was imposed without too much discussion on the impact on research activities. --James
Thanks,
Rich
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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
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-- James Spencer Computational Science Specialist Thomas Young Centre/Condensed Matter Theory Imperial College http://www.cmth.ph.ic.ac.uk/people/j.spencer/ http://www.github.com/jsspencer
participants (2)
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Bantges, Richard J
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j.spencer＠imperial.ac.uk