IT Answers » Xserve

os390 to apple xserve file loses one byte

Granpatex — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 08:32:03 +0000

when transfering files from the os390 to an apple xserve the file comes up short one byte, same file from os390 to windows or linux works great. how do I fix this?

Access 2007 on an Xserve Server

DarrylH — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:16:39 +0000

Is this possible to take a MS Access Db and run it on the Xserve Server

Cheaper then Windows Server

SBIT — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:20:04 +0000

So here is the story. I am the IT person for a small vehicle dealership chain that is spread across 4 locations in the city. Each location is presently setup with a VPN connection to the main site which houses a database server hosting all the programs needed to run the dealership like, customer tracking software, accounting software and all that is in between. The 100-125 workstations spread across all 4 buildings are presently on a Workgroup setup with local management of User Access, hardware and software management. From a productivity standpoint I need to convert to a domain environment.

Here is the problem, I have supplied the boss man holding the company credit card with 3 quotes for a new Windows Server with enough licenses to support the number of staff members properly, however he has flat out informed me the price tag is too high and to find a way to lower it. Now unfortunatly since the hardware is not going to decrease in value just because I want it to, that leaves me with the software and licenses.

I have been doing a little research online for alternatives to a Windows Server and have already ruled out a Mac XServer since it cannot support workstation management or roaming profiles. I have also installed SME Server on a old box I got laying around but have hit a wall with its capabilities as far as I can see and what I would like for it to do. (Or maybe I am just reading the wrong documentation). I am also looking into Novell as an alternative although I do not daught it has changed drastically since my courses in 2001.

Basically, this is what I am looking for in regards to capabilities:

*Roaming Profiles (Desktop settings, email settings, emails, webpage favorites/bookmarks etc.) – if this means I need a login script that tells windows to backup all settings to a users home directory on the server and then restore on logon I am ok with that.
*Domain User Management (logins, passwords) – A no brainer but still much prefered then creating each user on each individual workstation.
*File and Print Sharing (network drives mapped to each profile with full control on who has access to what)
*Ability to set program access and control for user groups such as who can uninstall and install on the local workstations
*Remote desktop management (for pushing software packages down to workstations. ie. Software updates, new programs etc…)
*Ability to setup a new user from scratch so that when he logs in for the first time to any computer on the network he is all setup with access to the dealerships software, email through outlook express and anything else I need to set.

I know most of these things can be done with Windows Server, with the exception of the Outlook Express settings I think, however since the boss wants me to cut corners I come seeking help.

I have heard of OpenLDAP but have not been able to find any information if it will be able to do all that I require. I have also heard of Mandriva software package that has several components that will work together, however since my knowledge in the way of Linux/Unix is rather limited, I would prefer to hear the thoughts of more experienced Network Admins to make this decision.

So if you have any suggestions please let me know. I apologise for my ignorance, however I fully admit it and am open to suggestions and helpful advise.

Thank you for your time.

Adding an additonal Fibre channel card on XServe G5

ITKE — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:23:57 +0000

I have tape library that connects via fibre channel. When I set up the tape library, I’ve connected it to an open port on a QLogic fibre channel switch that had an XServer G5 and seven
RAIDS. The tape library is running into speed and connection issues when the RAIDs are being hit with a lot of data activity, and I’d like to see if I can get it onto its own
PCI-X fibre channel card I don’t know how the XServer G5 acts with two fibre channel cards in it, especially where one card will be for a direct connection (the tape
library) and the other card will be attached to the fibre switch.

Has anyone installed a second fibre channel card in their own
XServes, or has tried a similar setup?

User Submitted

Combining HSM and Backups

Litfuse — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:00:30 +0000

Were looking at replacing our tape backup system, and at the same time were thinking our expending our storage by getting a HSM solution. What we are not sure of is whether these two issue should be combined.

My original vision was that a good tape based HSM system (Tivoli,…) and a tape robot would be able to do both the Point-in-time backups (to be sent offsite) and keep dual copies of live archived data, in one big solution.

However, This solution became more complex since my CIO wanted to include MAID technology as a secondary storage option. Since I think sending MAID disk offsite is a problem, I would need to pursue the offsite backups separately.

The the solution became more complex, because one of our largest servers (an image server) is a Apple XServe, and there seem to be few vendors that provide HSM agents for the Xserve. Several vendors proposed the we use a hybrid of NFS and some proxy agent. However, they did not seem happy with the solution. All the vendors we talked to (except one) said that we would save money in the long run, if we got off the XServe now ..

This is a politicol issue, since one of our departments has a strong loyalty to the XServe platform, and it has a good two years of life left in it … Then I’m confused about Apples statement that they are getting out of the XServe Raid business (http://www.macworld.com/article/132164/2008/02/raid.html)

Any ideas on how this should be approached