Blade servers: How to decide on Unix or Linux
If you’re contemplating Unix or Linux for your blade server, or a migration from one to the other, in this guide you will find everything you need to make up your mind. Useful Unix and Linux command lines also included.
How do you decide whether to use Unix or Linux for your blade server and whether it’s time to consider a migration?
Common questions that should influence your choice are:
- Why are you considering moving off your current platform?
- How many users do you support?
- Does your application require high availability?
- Which operating system does your staff know best?
Nowadays both Unix and Linux are valid and reasonable infrastructure choices, so you just need to figure out which is the best option for you and your business.
In this guide you will find news, tips and features on Unix and Linux for blade servers. In addition you will find the most popular and helpful command lines for both operating systems.
What is a blade server?
A blade server consists of a server chassis which house multiple thin and modular circuit boards – server blades. Each of these blades can be considered a server in its own right, as they are often dedicated to a single application. The blade part of the blade server is literally just servers that are on a card, and include processors, memory, integrated network controllers, an optional Fibre Channel host bus adaptor (HBA) in addition to other input/output (IO) ports.;
Blade Server - Unix
The operating system Unix stems from Bell Labs back in 1969, as an interactive time-sharing system. Unix was the first open or standard operating system that could be improved by anyone wanting to enhance it.
Find a Unix user group near you: Servers and platforms
If you're looking for a server and platform user group, then look no further. View our list and see if there is one near you.
Why HP threatened Oracle with legal action over Itanium
Find out why Gabriel Consulting said if Oracle software wasn't included on the systems, the workloads would naturally migrate to Oracle’s Solaris Unix variant.
Fujitsu: Computer Weekly Special Report
Filled with graphs and diagrams this report is a necessity to anyone thinking of working with Fujitsu.
A server and platform user group directory for Windows and Unix users
User groups bring together a group that uses various types of server, so use this directory to find a local one that focuses on tower servers, rack servers, blades, Windows, Unix or Linux.
Blade Server - Linux
Like Unix, Linux is an operating system, but Linux is designed to provide a free or very low-cost user experience compared to the sometimes more expensive Unix systems. The central part of the operating system – the Linux kernel – was developed by Linus Torvalds at the University of Helsinki in Finland.
What are your options for Linux disaster recovery
As the interest in Linux grows, so does the need for disaster recovery for Linux-based systems. Learn which options are available for you in this area.
Server hardware refresh options: what will work best for you
The first in a four-part series on server hardware refreshes. Part one discusses how to get the timing right for trading in old hardware for new and when to extend a server’s life instead of replacing it. Read the Linux hardware compatibility list.
Learn how to migrate from ESX v3.5 to ESX4i on HP blades
We show you how to migrate from VMware ESX Classic to EXSi on Linux, and a HP blade infrastructure. Learn why a SYSLOG server is a necessity when dealing with ESXi.
The Co-op Group cuts costs with HP ProLiant and virtual desktops
Before the Co-op Group moved into its new offices the company built a new virtual environment based on a HP ProLiant server and Fusion I/O storage within a blade enclosure. Read the case study to find out how much they saved.
Useful command lines for Unix and Linux
Top 50 universal Unix commands
Out of the thousands of Unix command lines available, we layout the most helpful for IT administrators. Here you can find case use examples and other links to useful resources.
Command line tools for Linux: Top 50
Find out the most popular Linux command lines, utilities and programmes. Includes sudo, chmod, exec, rpm.
Further Resources
- HP upgrades datacentre network architecture, ships in the UK
- Processor technology for Unix systems: AMD or Intel?
- Ensuring NAS access from Windows and Unix clients
