"OpenSolaris is possibly Sun's most significant attempt to garner relevance in a market that increasingly demands the freedom and flexibility of open-source software. Although the availability of source code under an open license imbues the platform with considerable value, broader adoption is predicated on Sun's capacity to build a strong community. Project Indiana represents Sun's latest strategy for building mindshare and expanding the reach of OpenSolaris."
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Member since:2005-07-08
Member since:2006-12-28
Sorry about the delay, major system failure today so had to reinstall (thank you Vista!)
To answer your question, the guy is a serious engineer and wants a modicum of control over his system that he could not easily attain with a Solaris installation, i.e. being able to compile the whole system from source. Although this is perfectly possible with OpenSolaris, it is in no way as strait forward as with any source based Linux distro (including LFS).
I suspect another reason is the availability of more up to date software for Linux, especially a source based distro. The servers themselves are not production so niceties like a well integrated KDE desktop and NXserver packages have got to be a bonus.
The fact that it's perfectly possible to do this, as Jumpstart and Flash servers use standard networking protocols and setups, is enough to give Sun a good run for it's money. You no longer have to buy a Sparc system to be able to service a Solaris environment and that has got to be cutting into they're profit margins.
Frankly, I think the guy is a bit of a nut as I would never be interested in running such a system for the job, but each to they're own as not a few people would say.
Member since:
2006-12-28
Very well said and totally on target.
Solaris is always going to be vulnerable to the growing popularity of another *nix.
I was talking to another Solaris system engineer just yesterday and he was talking about his jumpstart and flash servers, used to do automated Solaris installes, being hosted on a Gentoo server.
At the end of the day, if hardcore Solaris engineers are using Linux for they're support and infrastructure tools, that has got to be a wake up call for Sun.