[OpenIndiana-discuss] Some questions about OpenIndiana

[Edward Ned Harvey]

> From: Jean-Yves Avenard [mailto:jyavenard at gmail.com]
> 
> I am now looking at migrating our file server from FreeBsd to a
> Solaris based distribution.

If you use any of the oracle-based distros, you cannot have updates except
with support contract.  Also, sadly, they eliminated the OEM versions that
were formerly available from Dell, HP, etc.  So the only source you're able
to obtain said contract is now directly from oracle (or VAR partners.)  Yes,
it's expensive.


> My ZFS zpool is now at version 28 which limits me with what I can actually
> use.

zpool 28 is the latest open-source version.  Basically your options are
nexenta, openindiana, and freebsd.
	sol11exp has zpool 31
	nexenta has zpool 28
	openindiana has zpool 28
	freebsd has zpool 28
	opensolaris b134 has zpool 22
	solaris 10u9 has zpool 22


> My primary concern with OpenIndiana is how new it is, only a couple of
> months old. So questions related to stabilities are obviously there.
> 
> Being a "development" version is also a worry.

Valid concerns.


> To be honest, I don't care whatsoever if an OS is open source or
> closed source, as long as it works well and is stable and obviously
> cheap enough.

You could always use sol11 exp.  It's only legal for development etc
purposes (read the license agreement) but you could certainly download and
start using it and see if it suits your needs.


> How different to Solaris 11 is OpenIndiana ? The FAQ aims at having
> binary compatibility with Solaris and make a reference of CentOS vs
> RHEL.

They can never attain the centos/rhel level of compatibility.  Because rhel
releases all their code and build process etc, it's easy to replicate.  That
has never been true of opensolaris, even when it was open.  Now, it's not
even open. 

As you can see, zpool in sol 11 express is 31, while everyone else lags
behind at 28.  That's not going to change any time soon.

So yes, there are substantial differences, and it's likely only to become a
wider gap moving forward.

Larry wants another yacht.


> Ultimately, what I'm after right now is something stable and
> performant, that can read my zpool v28 and supports kernel cifs and
> that I will easily be able to integrate with our LDAP / Kerberos
> backend.

Your best bet, for now, would be either nexenta, freebsd, or sol11express.
Openindiana is good and will be better, but as mentioned, rather immature
for now.