Re: configuration according to the database - Mailing list pgsql-general

<snip>
> Linux version to be defined (Redhat ?)
>
> Do you think this configuration is enough to have good performance after setting up properly the database ?
</snip>

Don't ignore your OS choice and assume that hardware is all important.
It's certainly important; but your choice of OS can have a big impact on
your server too.  That being said, you should look at as many different
distros as possible, install a few, and pick the one which is best for
your needs.  For instance:

(My Personal Choice:)  If security is a big concern you may want to
consider OpenBSD (www.openbsd.com).  Because they are not based in the
US they aren't restricted about what kind of cryptographic software they
can include in the distro, so they tout proactive security measures.
This includes, but is not limited to, ipsec -- a protocol that
completely encrypts all of your packets.[0]  OpenBSD also includes a
bunch of other security goodies.  Not only that, OpenBSD was recently
awarded funding by DARPA -- The United States Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency[1] (http://www.darpa.mil/) -- because it's security is
just THAT good.

Slackware (www.slackware.com) and Debian (www.debian.org) allow you to
live close to your hardware.[2]  As a matter of fact, Debian allows you
to select exactly which packages you want installed into the kernel when
you install it[3].  I'm not sure how much you will reduce the overhead
on a 2U w/ 4GB RAM, but a streamlined kernel can't hurt.

Mandrake (www.mandrake.com) is super friendly for noobs, while still
allowing you to do enough advanced things -- if and only if -- you want
to.  Very good if you've never used *nix at all before.

NetBSD (www.netbsd.org) is extremely conservative about upgrading.  If
you are super worried about getting r00t3d this may be the distro for
you.

FreeBSD (www.freebsd.com) is a favorite of many, including apache,
yahoo, sony, and a few I can't remember off the top of my head.

So take your time deciding on an OS, download and install as many as
possible, and take some time to think about your requirements.  What
kind of network are you using?  It's relatively hard to splice into a
hardwired network cable, but wireless lan (802.11?) is accessible by
anybody in range with an antenna.[4]  Better go with OpenBSD in that
case -- or install a plethora of crypto software.  Are you a noob?
Better check out Mandrake or another user friendly distro.  Are you an
old hand with a PhD in Computer Engineering?  Debian will seem like
childs play and give you the kind of custimization only accessible to a
PhD C.E.  And, of course, if you're planning on doing extensive
customization (i.e. code) you may want to consider a *BSD box -- because
the GNU public license declares derivative works open source!  (Don't
want to your boss why the competitors can use your software)[5]


[0]  Some purists will no doubt point out that Mandrake, or another
distro, comes with ipsec preinstalled.  ipsec was no more then an
example of one of the programs that a US based distro may not be able to
include due to silly US restrictions on cryptography.  (You may have
visited the Penguin Liberation Front (http://plf.zarb.org/) to download
code to play dvds on a *nix box, said code being unavailable on US
servers due to illegality).

     One other thing I should mention about ipsec is that you need a
client with ipsec in order to take advantage of encrypted package.  This
could mean setting up an 802.11b or 802.11g network and running OpenBSD
on all the clients (or just clients with ipsec installed).  Some of the
other features of OpenBSD may require that the clients have OpenBSD
installed too -- so if you're just looking at random passerbys on the
'net looking into your database, forget about it.


[1]  This is as close as a wing of the American Military comes to
equivalency to James Bond's "Q Branch".

[2]  i.e. /Not/ for newbies.

[3]  Although I can't confirm it for a fact, I would assume that most
distros make educated guesses about what you will and won't need.  And I
think every other distro lets you use custom compiled kernels.  However,
there is something satisfying about running through the list of kernel
modules and selecting exactly what you want.

[4]  There is a way to require a key to access the network, but I
/think/ there was an article on slashdot (www.slashdot.com) a while ago
about it being hacked.

[5]  Of course the competition would actually have to get a hold of the
software first, but, hey, why take chances?

Hope that helps,

--
Daniel R. Anderson
Great Lakes Industries, Inc.
80 Pineview Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14218
(716) 691-5900 x218

"Never let your schooling interfere with your education"
    -- Mark Twain