Upgrading Server 1

[JCrou82]

I'm still a Linux Newbie and need some help, if possible.

i have a number of isses with my Red Hat Linux 7.0 Server on a DELL 2400.

First, I want to know what programs I have installed and running on the server. I know of only a few and want to make sure that there aren't any other programs on there. I also am not sure how to get version numbers of these programs. How can I find this out or read a how to on figuring this out?

Second, I need to upgrade the server. Thus the reason for my first question. The reason that I have to upgrade is because at first I wanted to install MySQL. Everytime I went to their site, Netscape 4.7 would just close out. So i figured I should upgrade my Netscape version. when I tried installing Netscape 7 and later on Mozilla, I would keep getting the same error: "/lib/libc.so.6: version 'GLIBC_2.2.4' not found required by Mozilla-installer". So I then researched on how to upgrade GLIBC and found out that i might need to upgrade other parts such as libc, etc... I then read that I might as well upgrade the whole OS, but would be easier to just do a fresh install of a newer version of the OS. I then contacted Red Hat and was told that I would be upgrading to their ES 2.1 version, which might not necessarily work on my DELL PowerEdge 2400 Server. So I'm thinking maybe I'll just upgrade to 7.3 for now and once Red Hat has modified their code to work completely with my 2400, I'll upgrade to them. I want to use the most up to date software of the programs that I'm currently running. So my question is, what are the opinions of the Linux Experts on Tek-Tips regarding what I plan to do? Basically I want to know wether I should just upgrade GLIBC, or Red Hat to 7.3 or get Red Hat ES 2.1? Also, the dificulties of any of those options?

Thanks in Advance

 

[thedaver]

Which progams? This command tells RPM to list all programs and libraries that are installed as RPMs.
'rpm -qa | sort | more'

This command lists the programs that are running - some programs output you may not recognize, and are probably kernel or logging related...
'ps ax'

If you are ready to just scrap your current install, I would encourage you to explore RH9 instead of 7.3 - although both are being phased out by RedHat support plans. RH9 will bring you the 2.4 kernel series, which may prove advantageous.

RH7.0 is generally regarded as a messy, buggy version, so it's unsurprising that things aren't working out well for you. A new install to RH9 would kill a great many birds with one ISO.

I don't personally think that much of the RH Enterprise lines, but that's a personal bias and shouldn't influence your thinking. If you'd prefer their support and update programs then that is a fine option to consider.

Keep us in the loop if you need anything...

Surfinbox.com Business Internet Services - National Dialup, DSL, T-1 and more.

http://www.surfinbox.com/business/

 

[JCrou82]

Now the question is:

Does RH9 Support Dell's Poweredge 2400? Also, is it server capable? On RH's site, they suggest the RH9 be used for workstations and the like, such as windows 2000 has a professional (RH9) and a Server (RH ES 2.1) version.

Also, if the RPM commands doesn't work, how could I figure out the version of the software running? Unfortunately, I wasn't the one who installed the software onto the server originally.

Thanks In Advance

 

[thedaver]

RPM will work. You'll need 'root' privileges.

I ran RH9 on a Poweredge 2450 recently. PERC3 raid and all.

Don't believe the propaganda about workstations, that's sales talk!

You'll have some options to tune the OS and kernel later if you REALLY want to go down that road. I simply recompiled the kernel to get rid of RH9's bloated version and it ran like a champ.

Keep the faith.

Surfinbox.com Business Internet Services - National Dialup, DSL, T-1 and more.

http://www.surfinbox.com/business/

 

[flugh]

Keep in mind, I have no idea what a Dell PowerEdge 2400 even looks like.

You are running the Server edition of Redhat 7.0. Are you in a production environment? Just that I've always been warned that you don't run .0 versions of releases in production. Give them a couple bug-fix releases first ;-)

If you are going to upgrade glibc, I'd suggest updating to the current version of Redhat. glibc is a core part of the operating system, and will in turn affect every program on the system.

I wouldn't 'upgrade' to anything that required both payment and not knowing if it was going to work on my system. You could get a 'gee hope this works' out of the free, downloadable .iso's of Redhat 9 ;-)

The Netscape problem? Sure, download a Mozilla Firebird tarball from

http://www.mozilla.org/products/firebird/

(current is

http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla....MozillaFirebird-0.7-i686-pc-linux-gnu.tar.gz)

It stays crunchy in milk.

You can build a fresh MySQL using the .src.rpm at

http://www.mysql.com/get/Downloads/MySQL-4.0/MySQL-4.0.17-0.src.rpm/from/pick#mirrors

using the 'rpm --rebuild <rpm filename>' command (may have to adjust that a bit, I haven't tried it in a while).

Sorry, it's late, I'm tired. If this is of any use to anyone at all, it's purely by accident on my part!

----
JBR

 

[JCrou82]

Thank You both for your post

thedaver:
You wrote: &quot;You'll have some options to tune the OS and kernel later if you REALLY want to go down that road. I simply recompiled the kernel to get rid of RH9's bloated version and it ran like a champ.&quot;
-what do you mean I can tune the OS and kernel. Can you give some examples of how or why I would want/need to do such tuning?
-bloating? what do you mean that it is bloated? and how would I be able to recompile the kernel? Could you please direct me to a tutorial site on this?
-Also, I can see what RPMs are installed, but there's some other programs, like proftp, that I did set up, but can't remember what version. How would I find out the version of programs that aren't RPMs?
Thanks

flugh:
I'm sorry if I didn't mention it, my mind slips sometimes. Yes it is a production server.
You wrote: &quot;Just that I've always been warned that you don't run .0 versions of releases in production. Give them a couple bug-fix releases first.&quot;
-Does that mean then, that I should wait for the next release of 9.x before upgrading?
-will mysql 4.0 and mozilla work on my current release of Red Hat? 7.0?

Thanks

 

[thedaver]

For the programs I mentioned 'ps ax' which will tell you what is running now, which may point out programs that were compiled and not .RPM installed. Remember, rpm -qa only lists installed .RPM programs. You _CAN_ install other progs by compiling source or loading pre-compiled binaries. These are much harder to track down. Normal procedures would have the source for these programs in /usr/src, so you might want to sniff around there to see if you see any programs unpacked...

Compiling the kernel sounds just a bit past your level of comfort now, but it SHOULD BE something that you take seriously in the future. Learn now....

The source of all things Linux (documentation at least):

http://www.tldp.org/

kernel compile

http://tldp.org/linuxfocus/English/July2002/article252.shtml

Surfinbox.com Business Internet Services - National Dialup, DSL, T-1 and more.

http://www.surfinbox.com/business/

 

[JCrou82]

Ok, I just need some clarification. I can install Red hat 9.0 on a production Server to run as a web/email/ftp/mysql server? I am currently using Apache w/PHP, Sendmail, QPopper, Pro-FTP and will want to be able to install MySQL on it as well.

Will I be able to save the config files for these programs to make the setup after installation alot faster?

Also this is a production server so should I install 9.0 or just upgrade to 7.3 and wait for 9.x to come out?

Once i've installed 9.0, will I need to make any modifictaions to make it a server OS?

Thanks

 

[thedaver]

Uh, well. 9.0x is out and has been out for a year or so. It isn't even supported by RedHat anymore.....

Disepence with your windows-based thinking that linux are published as server or client versions. (RedHat isn't helping with their branded server and workstation labels).

When you run the RedHat 9.0 install, it will optionally install Apache/PHP and MySQL. Sendmail is also one of the favored MTA's for RH9. I don't recall which POP3 RH9 installs, and the favored FTPD is vsftpd, which is a wildly wonderful product with wonderful security and usability options.

You should be able to utilize the httpd.conf and php.ini files if they are from approximately the same versions. However, I believe that RH9 installs the Apache 2.x series, which is NOT likely what you use now.

Again, RH9 is a server or client OS DEPENDING UPON WHAT YOU INSTALL. You tell it to provide services, BANG, it's a server. You tell it to provide a GUI and applications for a user, BANG its a client workstation. You tell it to do both, BANG, you have a capable OS running all that stuff. Might create some performance or security issues having all those services running, but highly doable.


Surfinbox.com Business Internet Services - National Dialup, DSL, T-1 and more.

http://www.surfinbox.com/business/

 

[lullysing]

Not only that, but ghetto computers ( you know, the ones sometimes found in the trash when people move away or get a new one) will run as servers if they have enough power or are configured right.

I should know, my firewall is one of em ghetto , recycled computers.And that's what i like about linux : it's about what you want to do, not only about the power of your hardware.


_____________________________
when someone asks for your username and password, and much *clickely clickely* is happening in the background, know enough that you should be worried.