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Re: Wierd Stuff
From: Matt Simerson
Date: Saturday, September 26, 1998
Time: 8:16:06 am
On Fri, 25 Sep 1998, Walt at TeleSouth wrote:
> Matt,
>
> Thats a great letter. You sound like you are really behind this Mac OS.
> We have only run Mac on desktop machines so far. I hated 7.1 with its
> frequent errors and bombs but the interface and simplicity kept me
> coming back
>
> Currently we have a mix of the following:
>
> In the office
> Windoze NT and Mac 7.5.3 on individual desktops
Do yourself a favor. Unless you're running dinosaur equipment
(non-PowerPC) upgrade to MacOS 8.1. It's more stable, it's faster, and
it's got a lot of interface enhancements. There's a few things that will
throw you at first (because you're used to the old way) but once you make
the switch, there's no going back. You will be pleased.
> On the web
> Red Hat Linux versions 4.2, 5.0 and 5.1 all running
> everything on the web including mail, web, secure servers, and cybercash
>
> Naturally the damned Red Hat boxes take most of our maintainance time. I
Keep in mind that they also handle a significant portion of the work load.
It's not uncommon to expect that a machine that handles 90% of the work
will also require 90% of the maintenance.
> would love to have an alternative for a web server that is easier to
> work on and maintain. I love Linux for its speed. But damn if it isnt a
> pain to keep up. I have to edit about six files just to add a domain. 3
> more to handle thier mail. Royal pain in the butt is what I say.
This, my friend, is the world of UNIX. :) BSDI comes with a nice little
set of scripts/programs that allows you to add domains and configure your
mail server through a web browser. Talk about easing administration. It's
the ideal platform for ISP's without a lot of UNIX saavy. I don't use that
feature because I immediately install my own version of apache, bind 8,
ssh, qmail, and my own custom scripts that handle that work for me.
Yes, Linux is fast but, alas, you get what you pay for. BSDI is every bit
as fast (and faster in some respects like networking code) as Linux but
costs $1000 for a 16 user license. An unlimited licence will cost you
$3000 buuut, a license is defined as a simultaneous login. A network
connection (httpd, ftp, finger, etc..) only counts as 1/10 of a login.
I've never maxed out a 16 user license on a network server yet. I do not
allow shell logins on my network servers (expect the shell machine).
So, what are you paying for? Software that pre-installed and secure OOB.
Scripts designed to simply the life of an ISP. Timely release of patches
for new problems like the Pentium hang, qpopper exploit, and pine buffer
overflows. A kernel that's steady like a rock. If I didn't upgrade my
servers to BSDI 4.0 a month ago I'd have nearly a year of uptime. Once
they're set up, they just sit there and work. I like not having to fuss
with them.
> What equipment and software would you recommend in building a Mac system
> that will handle full web hosting and email functions.
Depends on load. I have 3 UNIX machines that all function as the same web
server, dns, smtp, & pop server. I use CNAMES and dynamic dns to load
balance them so I don't have one doing all the work. I just don't believe
in single-point-of-failures. They can be prevented so I do it. RAID
drives, modem backups on ISDN links, dual T1's, redundant servers. Good
ideas if your soliciting business accounts.
This will be harder on the MacOS. With OT 1.3 you're able to do true
multi-homing (at last) but I don't know if it will work in the same
fashion as my unix machines. I have three web servers all set up
identically. All 3 have the same subnets assigned the the loopback
interface so a http request coming in to any one of my virtual domains can
hit any one of the 3 servers and get answered. In this way I can also
use policy routing to shift traffic load. This *really* simplifies moving
servers around or re-routing traffic during maintenance windows.
> Im looking at upgrading somethings around here and am on the verge of
> purchasing either IBM servers or starting to experiment on Mac. Trouble
> is that I cant find anyone around me that has exp with Mac OS as a web
> server system. Would you advise me on this.
Sure, pick your favorite SCSI drive equipped G3 mac and install WebStar on
it. You won't find a better web server. Put FileMaker Pro 4.0 on there for
your database backend. If you're doing web commerce, use the WebStar SSL.
I have an old Quadra on my network that a client uses for SSL forms and
such. :)
For an email program, you want the one Qualcomm puts out. Its the latest
version of Apple's Internet Mail Server. It's the only one I know of that
will stand up to any type of loading and supports virtual domains, etc..
You will really be better served by keeping mail on UNIX boxes. Trust me.
For your HTML editing, use Claris Home Page 3.0. It's tightly integrated
into FileMaker Pro for your online forms and you'll not find a better HTML
editor on any platform. If your a coder at heart you'll also want BBEdit.
It's actually a programming editor and works just as well (actually
better) with HTML as other languages of choice. If you want something
brain dead easy, install Myrimidon for the MacOS. Just print from your
favorite application to a web page. Cool.
Matt
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Matt Simerson http://users.michweb.net/~matt
MichWeb Inc. - President http://www.michweb.net __o
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