Services For Users of the Linux Operating System
A growing number of Physics and Astronomy department members use a UNIX
variant called Linux for their research and educational computing. The
Computer Center offers the following system-administration services to
increase the productivity of Linux users doing general-purpose computing.
If you wish to purchase any of these services, please send email to
request@pha.jhu.edu after reading through all of this material, including
the following Details and Caveats section.
Details and Caveats
Managing computers well is complicated and time consuming --
that's why hiring our experience and software tools can help you get more of your
real work done.
We can do a better job at a lower cost if we reduce the complexity as
much as possible. The following constraints were chosen with that rule of thumb
in mind.
- Linux comes in many flavors. We support the current Red Hat free version.
We will upgrade all of our systems, probably only once but possibly several
times a year, to stay current as major upgrades are released.
We cannot afford to support many different versions,
so everyone will need to keep up with the latest free version.
As of November 2003, we will be supporting Red Hat 9. We will be evaluating
alternatives to Red Hat in the next few months, as they have announced that
they will stop giving away the operating system for free. (They will sell
several versions, which they will support for longer periods of time than
they do their free version.) Another group called Fedora will be
working with Red Hat's help to release a free Linux. It is unclear at this
time how well that project will work. We will consider switching to another
brand of Linux, such as SuSe or Debian.
- Linux runs on many kinds of computers. We support the Intel-compatible 32-bit CPU (made by Intel or AMD).
We won't be supporting Alpha or Motorola processors. Or, come to think of it,
the Intel Itanium 64-bit processor. (We don't know yet how backwards-compatible
the new (10/2003) Athlon-64 64-bit processor will be.)
- Computer hardware needs to be supported by the operating system.
This means that
- New computers need to be Linux compatible before they can become our clients.
- Older computers need to be kept compatible with the version of Linux we are
supporting. Therefore the owner may need to buy new components (e.g. a video card) or replace the whole workstation in order to keep it supported.
- Workstations which contain user data will remain under a hardware maintenance contract
Many workstations in our department contain unique information, such as
home directories or research data. When those computers fail, people's ability
to work is hindered or eliminated, usually at a bad time. In order to be able
to initiate repairs quickly and efficiently, we need to know ahead of time who
to call and how to pay for their help. (If a computer is just a terminal with
no unique data on it, then it does not have to be under contract.)
- We are the only people who can change the system (i.e. have
the root password).
- Dual-boot computers are not supported on an on-going basis. (We will
do an initial configuration of both operating systems.)
Running two operating systems (Linux and Windows)
means that we cannot reliably access the system in order to make updates. It
also can lead to corruption of the Linux software by the end-user trying to
change his Windows installation. So we can set up a computer for you
- Laptops are not supported on an on-going basis. (We will
do an initial configuration.)
We cannot reliably access laptops in order to
make updates, which we do constantly during the week. Also, their owners need
to have the root password for use when away from the department. Laptops also
often have many Linux device driver compatibility issues.
Continous Back up Service
It is difficult and time consuming for the average person to back up large
quantities of data (greater than can be burned onto a CD (650 Mbytes) or DVD
(4.5 Gbytes)). We can use our existing back up infrastructure to provide
disaster recovery data protection through regular back ups for independent
Solaris and Linux users. (This service is included at no additional charge
for our clients of our continuous workstation support service.)
The rates we will charge are based on the quantity of data per computer.
- From 0-20 Gbytes, $10/month
- From 20-50 Gbytes, $16/month
- From 50-100 Gbytes, $22/month
- From 100-200 Gbytes, $32/month
For more information about this service, please visit
this web page.
Initial Workstation Configuration
The Computer Center will configure workstations and servers for individuals
and groups at $300 per machine (as of 10/01/2003).
This includes
installing peripheral hardware items, the operating system, customizing
the allocation of disk space, and installing local software packages
from an extensive library of local software packages. Please note:
if your machine is
not going to be maintained by the Computer Center (see below), then any
desired local software packages have to be stored on local disk drives
attached to your machine. You will not receive automatic upgrades
to those packages or to the operating system. Also, the software library
does not include licenses for software one has to purchase. (We will install
such software for you if you purchase it before we work on your
computer.)
Initial Workstation Configuration (Dual boot)
The same as a plain Linux installation, but we also install a copy of
Windows XP Professional in its own part of the hard drive. You pay for
the cost of the Windows XP software ($25, see
this page for more
information about Windows licenses from HITS), plus a $25 fee for our extra time. We
think this is the best arrangement, as Windows needs to be installed first
to avoid clobbering Linux, and one has to split up the hard drive in the
right way before installing Windows. (You can install extra software into
the Windows environment after we are done installing the operating system.)
Continuous Workstation Support
The Computer Center will maintain workstations and
servers for individuals and groups who desire high-quality systems
administration services on an on-going basis. This costs $40 per month
per worsktation (as of 10/01/2003). (New workstations will need to be
configured first, so the first month will cost $300. Second and later
months will cost $40.)
The following services are included:
- Regular operating system upgrades and patches
- Access to an extensive
library of local software packages. These can be stored locally for
faster performance, accessed via the Network File System for reduced local
disk space needs, or stored in both places to balance the opposing
space/time constraints.
- Coordination of hardware repair efforts with vendors
- Hardware maintenance tasks (e.g. adding disk drives)
- Consulting services (e.g. about acquisition of new equipment or
upgrading of current equipment)
- Regular data backups (at least twice a week)
UNIX Consultation
Non-Computer Center clients can receive receive UNIX workstation
support for $48 an hour, billed in quarter-hour increments.
