Arch Linux

satimis

Member

Registered: 2007-03-03

Posts: 186

Is archlinux good for production server OS

Hi folks,

archlinux is complete new to me although I have experience on Linux and Unix running many Linux distro and *BSD.  I'm now searching for a rigid OS for server, such as mail, web, database, etc. which will be easy to install without spending lengthy time to fix driver issue.  I don't expect injecting too much time on OS which is my reason not to build my own OS, LFS, BLFS, HLFS.

I don't run X on server but I need to have its packages installed.  It won't start at boot unless evoked.  I need it to communicate outside World because I don't feel comfortable running text browser, such as elinks etc.  Occasionally I also need it for fine-tuning the server.  I don't expect using remote access running 2 PCs doing one single job.

Will archlinux cater my needs.  TIA

B.R.
satimis

sash

Member

Registered: 2005-10-16

Posts: 155

Re: Is archlinux good for production server OS

Yes, Arch will do nicely. I installed Arch on a production server that gathers satellite data and crunches numbers and it is the first time that we don't have any problesm whatsoever. Not to mention that the install was quick and easy, and making packages was a snap :-)

What usually took days with other distros, with Arch took about 3 hours, max.

satimis

Member

Registered: 2007-03-03

Posts: 186

Re: Is archlinux good for production server OS

Hi sash,

Tks for your advice.  I'm running amd64 box with mobo having nVidia chipset on board.  Is there any issue on nVidia driver?  Tks.

arch64-0.7.2-base.iso     153092 KB     07/27/06     00:00:00
arch64-0.7.2-base.iso.md5sum     1 KB     07/27/06     00:00:00
arch64-0.7.2-ftp.iso     23302 KB     07/27/06     00:00:00
arch64-0.7.2-ftp.iso.md5sum     1 KB     07/27/06     00:00:00
arch64-0.7.2.iso     517512 KB     07/27/06     00:00:00
arch64-0.7.2.iso.md5sum

I supposed I need download "arch64-0.7.2.iso"

arch64-0.7.2-base.iso is for server without X.  arch64-0.7.2-ftp.iso is for gripping latest packages on Internet during installation.  If I'm wrong please correct me.  Tks

B.R.
satimis

Last edited by satimis (2007-03-03 03:12:16)

mucknert

Member

From: Berlin // Germany

Registered: 2006-06-27

Posts: 510

Re: Is archlinux good for production server OS

It really depends on what you define as "production". If you want a reliable system that does not require much maintainance, I would not chose Arch. The rolling-release does not fit to that, really. But YMMV.
However, that has been discussed at length in several threads already. Search the BBS for some in-depth answers.

Last edited by mucknert (2007-03-03 07:45:49)

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Todays mistakes are tomorrows catastrophes.

Pierre

Developer

From: Bonn

Registered: 2004-07-05

Posts: 1,964

Website

Re: Is archlinux good for production server OS

Anyway: you should not use version 0.7.2 for installation; use 0.8!

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Dieter@be

Forum Fellow

From: Belgium

Registered: 2006-11-05

Posts: 2,001

Website

Re: Is archlinux good for production server OS

Arch can do well (as in "requires few effort for big capabilities"), but you'll have to be really careful with updates.  Especially updating configuration files and when using a newer kernel.  Things like this sometimes cause problems at boot-time (kernel panics etc)

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< Daenyth> and he works prolifically
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satimis

Member

Registered: 2007-03-03

Posts: 186

Re: Is archlinux good for production server OS

Anyway: you should not use version 0.7.2 for installation; use 0.8!

Hi Pierre,

Tks for your advice.

Before posting I have been searching 0.8 version x86_64 iso image without result, only OS available.  Pls advise where can I find it.  TIA

B.R.
satimis

satimis

Member

Registered: 2007-03-03

Posts: 186

Re: Is archlinux good for production server OS

Hi Dieter@be,

Tks for your advice.

Arch can do well (as in "requires few effort for big capabilities"), but you'll have to be really careful with updates.  Especially updating configuration files and when using a newer kernel.  Things like this sometimes cause problems at boot-time (kernel panics etc)

Would it ask whether retaining old/new/new, saving old as original, etc. during running update.  Some other Linux distro have those options.  Tks.

B.R.
satimis

satimis

Member

Registered: 2007-03-03

Posts: 186

Re: Is archlinux good for production server OS

Hi mucknert,

Tks for your advice.

It really depends on what you define as "production". If you want a reliable system that does not require much maintainance, I would not chose Arch.

Yes, that is what I expect.  I don't need a very rigid/secure OS.  Otherwise I would build it myself - HLFS

However, that has been discussed at length in several threads already. Search the BBS for some in-depth answers.

Please provide some detail of BBS.  TIA

B.R.
satimis

tomk

Forum Fellow

From: Ireland

Registered: 2004-07-21

Posts: 9,839

Re: Is archlinux good for production server OS

BBS = this forum, Search button on top right

satimis

Member

Registered: 2007-03-03

Posts: 186

Re: Is archlinux good for production server OS

BBS = this forum, Search button on top right

Hi tomk,

I found the topics;

Arch Linux as a Production Server?
http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=24023
Arch Linux in production environments...
http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=9672

Tks.

B.R.
satimis